The Astros have signed pitcher Brian Moehler and infielder/outfielder Darin Erstad to contract extensions for the 2009 season, according to Houston Chronicle. Erstad will make $1.75 million next year plus bonuses, and Moehler with earn $2.3 million plus bonuses. "We just thought if we had a chance to move forward we?d take advantage of it," Astros' GM Ed Wade said. "They?ve both epitomized the professionalism that we pride ourselves on and are very talented guys. Their presence on the club speaks for itself."

The Kansas City Royals have signed right-handed pitcher Kip Wells to a Major League contract for the remainder of the 2008 season. The Royals will make a corresponding 25-man roster move when Wells joins the club, which is expected later today. Wells, 31, had spent the entire 2008 season with the Rockies organization, making the Opening Day start for Colorado before pitching out of the bullpen. He missed two and a half months after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot in his right hand before returning to the Rockies after four rehab stints in late July. He was 1-2 overall with a 5.27 ERA in 15 appearances, including two starts, but had a 1-1 record and a 3.32 ERA (21.2 IP, 18 H, 8 ER, 18 SO) in his 13 relief appearances. He posted a 2.45 ERA in 10 games (1 start) away from the mile-high air of Coors Field. A 10-year veteran, Wells has compiled a 65-93 record and a 4.64 ERA in 246 career outings, including 205 starts, for the White Sox (1999-2001), Pirates (2002-06), Rangers (2006), Cardinals (2007) and Rockies (2008). His best season came in 2003 for Pittsburgh when he was 10-9 with a 3.28 ERA in 31 starts.

The San Francisco Giants have signed catcher Buster Posey, their 1st pick and the fifth overall selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced tonight. The Giants have come to terms with 30 players from this year's draft, including 27 of their first 31 selections. Per club policy, terms were not disclosed. Posey capped off one of the greatest seasons in Florida State history winning the 2008 Golden Spikes Award, which is emblematic of the top amateur player in the country. He is the third Giant to receive the honor, joining Tim Lincecum (2006) and Will Clark (1985). The junior backstop won every major Player of the Year award in 2008, winning the Dick Howser Trophy and Brooks Wallace Award while claiming the Johnny Bench Award for the nations' top collegiate catcher.

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have agreed to terms with righthanded starting pitcher Robert (Quinton) Miller, the club?s 20th-round selection in the 2008 June draft. The announcement was made by Neal Huntington, Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager. Miller, 18, was tabbed by Baseball America as the top prospect in the state of New Jersey heading into the 2008 draft. He was also ranked as the 158th-best prospect overall by the same publication while going 6-3 with a 2.13 ERA (52.2ip/16er), 85 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 21 appearances in 2008 as a senior at Shawnee (NJ) High School. He also hit .335 with a team-high six home runs and 23 RBI as an infielder during his senior season for the Renegades.

The White Sox have signed shortstop Gordon Beckham to a minor league contract that will pay him a $2.6 million signing bonus, according to The Associated Press. The 21-year-old led Georgia to the College World Series, batting .411 with 28 homers, 22 doubles, and 77 RBIs.

Right-hander Aaron Crow, taken by the Nationals with the ninth overall pick in the draft, has signed a deal with the Fort Worth Cats of the American Association, according to The Associated Press. The Cats will pitch Crow out of the bullpen unless he agrees to a deal with the Nationals before Friday's midnight deadline for draft picks to sign.

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have agreed to terms with switch hitting outfielder Robbie Grossman, the club?s sixth-round selection in the 2008 June draft. The announcement was made by Neal Huntington, Pirates senior vice president and general manager. Grossman, 18, was tabbed by Baseball America as the 26th-best position player available and 49th-best player overall in this year?s draft. Grossman, who signed a letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Texas, was also a preseason-All-American selection by Rawlings prior to his senior year. "The addition of Robbie Grossman is a big step forward for the organization," said Huntington. "We gave Robbie strong consideration as our second round pick, but as part of our calculated strategy, we were thrilled that a player of his ability was still available when we selected in the sixth round due to his strong interest in playing collegiate baseball."

The Giants have signed third baseman Conor Gillaspie, their compensation pick between the first and second round of the draft, according to a Yahoo.com report on Wednesday. The Giants took the 6-1, 200-pound Gillaspie with the 37th overall pick in the 2008 draft out of Wichita State.

Infielder Felipe Lopez, released by the Nationals last week, signed a contract with the Cardinals on Tuesday night, according to an Associated Press report.

The Yankees have signed RHP Victor Zambrano to a minor-league deal. He?ll stay in Tampa and work out.