Astros send Geoff Blum to Devil Rays for pitcher Brandon Backe

44.2 Innings, 27 ER's, 36 Strikeouts, 1-1 record, 5.44 ERA


this was a salary dump, nothing more

 

Brandon Backe had a nine-outing stretch in which he pitched to a 1.42 ERA, lowering his ERA from 6.06 to a season-low 3.60.

 

oh, i forgot

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?statsId=6965

 

I thought we wanted to improve our bench

 

I'm not sure I'm that sad about trading Blum. Now Ensberg should get the playing time he deserves at third.

and signing Pettitte may be worth it if Clemens decides to come on board because of it.

Even if he doesn't win 20 games, I think he'll have a postive impact on the younger guys. (Pettitte, that is- and I think you can just multiply this statement by 2 if Clemens signs on as well)

 

Blum stood to make 2-3 mill in arbitration.

With our payroll, having a backup/platoon guy who makes that much is way too high. Didn't Blum hit a stellar, .265 or something?

Blum isn't irreplaceable. Cheaper replacements are the smart way to go.

 

absolutely, why mourn the loss of someone we were mad was getting so much playing time last year. We made out in the Truby deal and got someone to cover third until we got our real guy up here. No more, no less.

 

The d-rays are going to have the same left side infield as the astros started last season with.

 

He has just been pitching for 2 years after he was converted from being a outfielder. 95-96 mph fastball with hard slider. Control a big issue with him because his inexperience of pitching.

 

Good bye Blum, good luck in FL.

 

Its' Geoff actually...but yea I getchya. I've been waiting for a move like this...Ensberg deserves playing time more than Blum..and hopefully Adam Everitt steps it up this season..remeber we chose him over Chris Widger.....

 

I, for one, will miss Geoff Blum, despite the fact that he took valuable playing time away from Morgan Ensberg. He seemed like a nice guy and was a very decent player. Best of luck, Geoff.

 

Blum sucked.

yeah, he got some hits, but they were never of the opportunistic variety.

With 2 two outs and nobody on, you could always count on blum to get a hit, but when runners were in scoring position, he always grounded out or popped up.

Another great move by the Astros.

 

I bet Blum's blondes are weeping right now.

 

He reminded me of Bill Spiers with a little more power. Great infield glove.

 

Now no one on the Astros has the same (last) name as me.

There's always hope for his brother (Greg)!

 

A little small piece about him from espn:

Tampa's got a couple of very impressive arms in the bullpen. Brandon Backe is going to be a top-flight set-up guy. He throws strikes, he's not afraid and he's got a good fastball at 91-92. He's tough on righthanders with a good slider.