Right-hander Brandon Backe, a local fan favorite as a native of Galveston, signed a $1. 

--OF Carlos Lee will play for Panama in the World Baseball Classic, as he confirmed that he is recovered from a broken finger that cost him the last seven weeks of the 2008 season. 

Pitcher Randy Wolf and the Astros were on the brink of a deal. 

--OF Carlos Lee will play for Panama in the World Baseball Classic, as he confirmed that he is recovered from a broken finger that cost him the last seven weeks of the 2008 season. 

The Astros remained in postseason contention until Sept. 

Right-hander Brandon Backe, a local fan favorite as a native of Galveston, signed a $1. 

They're the kinds of moves made under the radar and generally out of the headlines. 

They're the kinds of moves made under the radar and generally out of the headlines. 

They're the kinds of moves made under the radar and generally out of the headlines. 

They're the kinds of moves made under the radar and generally out of the headlines. 

As the Houston Astros were celebrating the development of a new youth academy Friday, owner Drayton McLane was talking about the possibility of Andy Pettitte returning to the team and whether he expects Roger Clemens at spring training. 

HOUSTONAstros players Geoff Blum, Michael Bourn and Clay Hensley, as well as former player Jimmy Wynn and announcer Jim Deshaies met with fans Saturday at Academy Sports and Outdoors in Pearland as part of the Astros Caravan in preparation for the upcomin 

--RHP Brandon Backe ($1. 

The Astros remained in postseason contention until Sept. 

After leading the National League in saves the last two seasons, including the entire majors in 2007, Astros closer Jose Valverde cashed in with an $8 million, one-year contract to avoid arbitration.