By Jim Callis
December 14, 2003

One of the majors' better utilitymen changed addresses on Sunday when the Astros sent Geoff Blum to the Devil Rays for Brendan Backe.

Blum, 30, saw action at all four infield spots and both corner outfield positions in 2003, when he hit .262/.295/.379 with 10 homers and 52 RBIs in 123 games. He doesn't have any plus tools but he also doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. He hits for a decent average and decent power, draws a few walks, runs OK and can handle any defensive assignment except for center field and catcher. He's a career .262/.326/.408 hitter with 48 homers and 217 RBIs in 570 games. After making $1.5 million this year he's eligible for arbitration, a major reason in Houston's decision to trade him. The Devil Rays will give him an opportunity to start at either second or third base.

Backe, a 25-year-old righthander, signed as an 18th-round pick out of Galveston (Texas) CC in 1998. He began his pro career as an outfielder/shortstop but moved to the mound in 2001 after hitting .235/.324/.348 and stalling in Double-A. He reached the majors as a pitcher just two years later and spent much of 2003 with Tampa Bay, going 1-1, 5.44 in 28 appearances. In 45 innings, he had a 36-25 strikeout-walk ratio and .247 opponent average. Backe projects as a setup man thanks to his 92-94 mph fastball and a slider that can be a plus pitch at times. He needs to continue to refine his two-seam fastball and to use his changeup more often against lefthanders. He has a 1-1, 5.77 record in 37 career games.