Brandon Backe Rumors

Brewers Rumors: Backe, Trade Market

Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he has no interest in Brandon Backe. Yesterday, Assistant GM Gord Ash said the Brewers would take a look, but the club decided to pass, partly because Backe has had health problems. Melvin also repeated that Mat Gamel and Alcides Escobar aren't going anywhere. He'd rather hold onto his top young talent than make a move he later regrets. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy hears from Melvin that there are fewer than ten teams that match up well with the Brewers. Melvin says it doesn't look like many impact...   Continue Reading

---

Brewers Eyeing Brandon Backe

According to Adam McCalvy at MLB.com, the Brewers might be interested in signing recently-released RHP Brandon Backe. Says assistant GM Gord Ash: "You have to at least take a look." The Brewers are currently hurting for starting pitching depth, though they received a nice outing from Mike Burns tonight, as McCalvy notes. By picking up Backe they'd only be on the hook for the pro-rated amount of the league minimum. He might be able to slide into the back end of the rotation, but he's not likely to be an impact acquisition. It's a little murky on who else has...   Continue Reading

---

Brandon Backe: Free Agent

According to MLB.com's Alyson Footer, Brandon Backe has cleared waivers and rejected an assignment to Triple-A Round Rock. He is now officially a free agent. Backe was designated for assignment last week after allowing 15 runs and 21 hits in 13 innings (one start) for the Astros. He's 31-29 lifetime with a 5.38 career ERA. At just 31 years of age, perhaps a few clubs will have interest in providing the right-hander both a change of scenery and a fresh start.   Continue Reading

---

Brandon Backe Designated For Assignment

According to Alyson Footer, the Astros designated pitcher Brandon Backe for assignment to make room on the roster for Felipe Paulino. Backe, 31, allowed 15 runs and 21 hits in 13 innings. This year he's dealt with an intercostal strain; he had Tommy John surgery in September of 2006. Backe still has about $870K coming on this year's contract, so the Astros will have to assume most of that. Jason Grodsky of MLB.com has a few comments from Backe and Astros GM Ed Wade. Backe hopes to latch on as a starter somewhere. Backe is probably best known for his...   Continue Reading

---

Astros' Rotation Spots Open; Mets Sign Trio

A few notes popping up: - The Houston Astros will have tryouts for the starting rotation at Spring Training. Felipe Paulino and Fernando Nieve are both young arms that will be considered, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports. The Astros are tentatively counting on Roy Oswalt, Mike Hampton, Brandon Backe, Wandy Rodriguez and Brian Moehler to fill out their rotation. - The New York Mets have finalized deals with utilityman Rob Mackowiak, right-handed pitcher Kyle Snyder and left-hander Jon Switzer to minor-league deals. The three will be competing for 25-man roster spots at Spring Training, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.   Continue Reading

---

Astros Avoid Arb With Backe, Byrdak

4:10pm: MLB.com's Alyson Footer says the Astros signed Byrdak for $1MM. 12:03pm: According to the Houston Chronicle's Brian McTaggart: Astros general manager Ed Wade said today the club signed righthander Brandon Backe to a one-year, $1.55 million contract worth more than $1 million more in incentives. The Astros filed figures for Tim Byrdak, Geoff Geary, and Wandy Rodriguez, but will continue negotiating in advance of the scheduled February hearings.   Continue Reading

---

Stark's Non-Tender Candidates

With midnight on Friday being the deadline to tender a contract to an arbitration-eligible player, ESPN's Jayson Stark has some predictions on who could be added to the free agent market... Pitchers: Daniel Cabrera, Chad Gaudin, Jimmy Gobble, Brandon Backe, Takashi Saito, Tyler Yates, Wil Ledezma Hitters: Marcus Thames, Gabe Gross, John Buck, Jose Bautista, Chris Burke, Willy Taveras, Jonny Gomes What does everyone out there think? Any other non-tender possibilities? MLBTR posted a speculative list a week ago.   Continue Reading

---

Astros Interested In Ross, Zaun

According to Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros have spoken to the agents for free agent catchers Gregg Zaun and Dave Ross. Ross we knew about, but Zaun is a new name. The Tigers have been linked to Zaun as well. It's also known that Paul Bako would be interested in playing for Houston. McTaggart also mentions in the article that pitcher Brandon Backe is a non-tender candidate (that deadline is December 12th; we'll see a many additional players enter the free agent pool).   Continue Reading

---

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

Lijit Search

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats

Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST