Hiroshima Carp sign Jesus Guzman

Jesus Guzman, who spent the 2014 season with the Houston Astros, has reached an agreement on a one year deal to sign with Japan’s Hiroshima Carp. The deal, according to The Japan Times, will pay Guzman a $1 million base salary with additional performance incentives.

Guzman’s tenure with the Astros was a short one, spending just one season with the team. Used primarily as a first baseman, he does have experience in left field as well, Guzman had a severely disappointing season at the plate in 2014. In 184 plate appearances he’d hit just .188/.272/.248, with just six extra base hits (4 doubles, 2 home runs) and 52 strikeouts. Houston outrighted Guzman off their 40-man roster in late September, upon which the 30 year old elected free agency.

Houston had picked up Guzman last December, acquiring him from the San Diego Padres in exchange for infielder Ryan Jackson. Guzman had spent parts of the prior three seasons with the Padres, batting .259/.326/.422 with 23 HR and 127 RBI in 322 games (910 PA).

The Venezuelan native was originally signed as an international free agent by the Seattle Mariners in 2000. His MLB debut came in 2009, with the San Francisco Giants. He hit .250/.250/.250 in 20 PA across three separate stints with the team.

The Carp finished in third place in the Central League this past season with a 74-68-2 record, 7.5 games behind the Yomiuri Giants.