Houston Astros Rumors

Odds And Ends: Bedard, Astros, Marquis

Links for Tuesday morning... Be here at 2pm CST for this week's chat. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette profiles controversial acquisition Lastings Milledge, who seems energized and motivated. It would be hard to argue with Amber Theoharis of MASN.com, who says the Orioles won the Erik Bedard deal since they acquired two All-Stars in George Sherrill and Adam Jones. As MLB.com's Christian Caple reports, Bedard will be on a 60 pitch limit as he returns to the hill tonight against his former team. Nomar Garciaparra told Mike McDermott of the Providence Journal that he didn't turn down $60MM from...   Continue Reading

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Edes' Latest: Giants, Teahen, Relievers

Currently standing atop the National League wildcard standings, the Giants are looking for a lefthanded bat to add to their lineup according to Gordon Edes of Yahoo Sports. He cites a major league executive who says that San Francisco has focused their efforts on three first baseman: Nick Johnson, Aubrey Huff and Adam LaRoche. Edes also says that the Giants have spoken to the Padres about a potential Jonathan Sanchez-Scott Hairston swap. Let's round up the rest of Edes' rumors... Royals GM Dayton Moore has heard from multiple teams about Mark Teahen, including the Red Sox, Cubs, Angels and Giants....   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Boras, Nationals, Bedard, White Sox, Giants, Astros

Some evening links for those of you who haven't checked out for the long holiday weekend yet. Billy Witz of the NY Times wrote about the relationship between the Dodgers and superagent Scott Boras. The Nationals have agreed to terms with five international players according to Bill Ladson. A formal announcement of the signings will come in a few days. Pete McElroy of MASNsports.com notes that the Nats have signed a pair of draft picks, including fourth rounder AJ Morris. Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times notes that Erik Bedard threw a 54-pitch simulated game today and will start on...   Continue Reading

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International Free Agent Update: Friday

Some updates on teams' moves and strategies as the international signings continue: Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the A's are focusing on Venezuela, rather than the Dominican Republic this year, since they believe prices are too high in the Dominican. In Derrick Goold's St. Louis Post Dispatch article, Cards GM John Mozeliak admits there's risk in signing a 16-year-old like Wagner Mateo to a bonus of $3.1MM, but says he's serious about being "more aggressive" in Latin America because the payoff can be huge. Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus says Yankees signee Gary Sanchez will start...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Duran, Ichiro, Wright, Manny, Wilson

The Pirates are dominating the rumors lately, but there have been a few other noteworthy items: The Astros claimed infielder German Duran off unconditional waivers from the Rangers. Ken Rosenthal writes that Duran will be put on the DL and will end up in the minors. Though money is tight for many American franchises, SI reports that the earnings for the world's twenty richest non-American athletes are at an all-time high. Ichiro, with $22.5MM, is the only ballplayer on the list. David Wright shook off criticism from former Met John Franco, telling reporters that Franco "doesn't know what's going on"...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Mariners, Webb, Donnelly

Some links for the afternoon... John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune says Greg Dobbs could be the answer for the Mariners at third base. Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times considers the possibility that the Mariners could deal Erik Bedard or Jarrod Washburn and still contend. He concludes that the team needs both pitchers to make the playoffs. Dayn Perry of FOX Sports looks at projected stats for a handful of trade candidates. Brandon Webb won't have to undergo shoulder surgery, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Instead, he'll aim for a September return. Mike Aviles isn't so lucky. He'll...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Hinske, Pirates, Astros

Links for Tuesday... Joel Sherman of the New York Post heard that Eric Hinske cleared waivers two weeks ago.This means the Mets, Yankees or any other team could have had him for the $800k remaining on his salary. Sherman believes the Pirates won the other trade they made today, acquiring Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan from the Nats. Tom Verducci of SI.com names his All-Star team and it's heavy on youth. Astros first rounder Jiovanni Mier told MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo that the pace of the game is noticeably faster in the pros. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says Mike...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Tejada, Rockies, Mets

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports argues that the Cubs don't need to make a trade, they just need their hitters to start producing. Here are his most recent rumors: Ed Wade says Miguel Tejada's impending free agency is part of the reason the Astros aren't asking him to move from shortstop to third base. Tejada would probably move, but Wade would rather not ask him to. The Rockies are looking hard for relief help. They were interested in Joel Hanrahan earlier in the season, but he's much less appealing now. LaTroy Hawkins, Chad Qualls and Takashi Saito are all more...   Continue Reading

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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

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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

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