Brandon Backe was designated for assignment Friday, after posting a 10.38 ERA over 13 innings in five appearances, including one start. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
Brandon Backe has generated mixed feelings among Astros fans during his five seasons in Houston.
Some consider him a fan favorite based on his performance in the 2004 playoffs, while others have grown impatient with his attitude and inability to perform.
Regardless of public perception, the Astros finally reached a point where they no longer needed the services of the 31-year-old Galveston native.
Backe was designated for assignment Friday in order to activate Felipe Paulino from the 15-day disabled list.
Houston immediately removed Backe from the active and 40-man roster, meaning they have 10 days to either release, trade or place him on waivers.
Since Backe has more than five years of major league service, he must give consent for the Astros to assign him to the minors. He'll likely withhold consent, forcing Houston to either release or trade him.
General manager Ed Wade may find it difficult to trade the struggling right-hander, leaving the organization with no choice but to release the eight-year veteran.
Glory days in the past
At one time, Houston Chronicle sports columnist Richard Justice described him as the "Robert Horry" of baseball. In seven postseason appearances, Backe posted a 2.95 ERA, a mark significantly lower than his career 5.23 ERA.
Backe earned the win in Game 3 of the 2004 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. He gained national attention when he carried a perfect game into the fifth and a no-hitter through six innings en route to an eight inning, one-hit performance against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the NLCS.
He followed up his postseason success by going 10-8 with a 4.76 ERA in his first full season as a starter in 2005. In Game 4 of the 2005 World Series, Backe struck out seven, while allowing just five hits.
After the 2005 season, his career began spiraling downward. He missed the majority of the 2006 season due to injury, including a sprained ligament in his right elbow, which required season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Although the injury required a 12-18 month recovery process, Backe rehabbed aggressively thoughout the 2007 season in order to return for the final month of the season.
Last season, he was healthy for the entire year, making 31 starts for the Astros. Backe struggled to maintatin consistency, going 9-14 with a 6.05 ERA over 166 2/3 innings.
Opposing hitters posted a .302 batting average against the right-hander, who surrendered a major league leading 36 home runs. Backe averaged less than six innings per start, and proved to be vulnerable against left-handed bats.
He features a sinking 90 mph fastball, a quick, late-breaking slide and a solid changeup. However, Backe often relies heavily on his fastball, which hitters tend to sit on.
During the offseason, he was arrested, along with nine others, after being involved in a fight at a wedding in Galveston. Ultimately, a grand jury decided not to indict him on a resisting arrest charge stemming from the incident.
Backe didn't generate much interest on the free-agent market this offseason. The Astros decided to re-sign him to a one-year, $1.55 million contract in January. He was informed by Astros management that a spot in the starting rotation was not guaranteed.
Beginning of the end
Entering Spring Training, Backe was penciled in as the No. 5 starter, with Fernando Nieve, Paulino, as well as non-roster invitees Russ Ortiz and Jose Capellan ready to take his spot. After getting off to a rough start, it appeared Backe's chances of making the Opening Day roster were slim.
The best thing to happen to Backe was getting injured. His strained left intercostal injury saved his roster spot by landing him on the disabled list. Toward the beginning of April, Wade elected to keep Backe, considering the limited major-league ready pitching prospects available in the farm system.
Once Paulino emerged as a legitimate young pitcher in mid-April, it became apparent that Backe's days in Houston were limited. Basically, the Astros kept him on the disabled list as long as possible without really knowing what to do with him.
With Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, Brian Moehler, Mike Hampton, Paulino, as well as Ortiz serving as a spot starter, manager Cecil Cooper didn't have a spot in the starting rotation for Backe.
Eventually, the Astros organization knew they would have to activate him from the 15-day disabled list. After making six solid rehab starts in the minors, Backe was activated on May 28.
This was not an ideal situation for Cooper and Wade, who were unable to clarify his role. They didn't trust his ability to perform after what he demonstrated in Spring Training and the previous season.
Backe clashed with Astros management upon being activated from the disabled list. He expressed strong disapproval toward being used as a reliever rather than a starter. He turned a blind eye to the fact that Houston didn't trust him.
Also, Backe was not in position to bargain, due to his dismal performance last season, in conjuction with being arrested, generating little interest on the free-agent market and struggling during Spring Training.
Odd man out
Cooper decided to use him as a scare tactic toward Hampton, Moeher, Ortiz and Paulino. The Astros skipper informed each one of these pitchers, including Backe, that only four spots were available among the five candidates.
Realistically, Hampton and Paulino had already secured a spot in the starting rotation, but Moehler and Ortiz needed to perform in order to remain with the Astros.
Within the past three weeks, both Moehler and Ortiz elevated their game. When Hampton and Paulino landed on the disabled list, Backe made a spot start recently against the Texas Rangers, but gave up three runs on four hits, including two homers, over four innings.
Cooper limited him to only 60 pitches, of which he only threw 34 for strikes. He issued one walk and failed to record a strikeout.
Prior to being designated for assignment, Backe was winless with a 10.38 ERA in five appearances. He allowed 15 runs on 21 hits with six walks and 10 strikeouts, including five home runs, over 13 innings.
Based on his attitude and horrendous performance, it was time to end Backe's tenure with the Astros.
With the starting rotation set, Cooper only needs one spot starter in case of injury. Ortiz already assumed the role with his positive attitude. Although he would prefer to be a full-time starter, Ortiz is willing to help the team win in any capacity.
On the other hand, Backe was extremely vocal regarding his usage as a reliever and spot starter. He believed the Astros should have used him as a starter, despite his inability to perform.
By activating Paulino from the disabled list, the Astros organization took the initiative of getting rid of Backe. He informed the Houston Chronicle of his belief that the Astros did him wrong, and questioned the organization's reasoning behind using him as a reliever rather than a starter.
Potential options
Professional sports deals with the present, not the past. Backe no longer resembles the pitcher who performed well in the 2004 playoffs. He continued to hold onto his former glory, and expected the Astros to do the same.
Organizations typically don't employ a pitcher with an attitude problem who can't get anyone out.
Once the Astros officially release him, it will be interesting to see what happens to Backe. Teams in desperate need of pitching, such as the Arizona Diamondbacks or Washington Nationals, might end up being his only option.
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