Valverde to test free-agent waters

Gene Mato, one of the agents for free agent closer Jose Valverde, confirmed the pitcher's desire to test the free-agent waters.

"The Astros have communicated to Jose their desire to bring him back," Mato wrote in an email to MLB.com "He really enjoyed his time there and is open to the idea of returning. With that said, he is intrigued with the whole free agency process and the interest that is being generated."

Valverde is coming off a stellar season in which he was 25-for-29 in save opportunities and posted the second-lowest ERA of his career at 2.33. He told MLB.com in September he was going to test the free-agent market after making $8 million in 2009.

Valverde, 31, led the National League with 47 saves in for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007 before being traded to the Astros following that year. He led the NL in saves again in 2008 with 44, but missed 41 games last season with a strained calf.

After returning from the disabled list June 13, Valverde was terrific. He was 4-0 with 17 saves and a 1.64 ERA in the second half and didn't allow a run in 17 consecutive outings from Aug. 7 to Sept. 12. He finished the season having converted 19 consecutive save chances, the longest active streak in the NL. He had a 0.44 ERA in those games.

-- Brian McTaggart