WEDNESDAY, 2:42pm: The deal is finalized at one year, $2MM.
MONDAY, 9:55pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Astros are close to a one-year deal with Shawn Chacon. He’d join the team’s rotation.
I like the idea of adding some depth. But is depth really added if the pitcher posts a 5.50 ERA? Chacon has been over that mark as a starter in ’06 and ’07. The Astros hope Chacon can find his Yankees’ magic of ’05, when he posted a 3.44 ERA in 24 starts despite a 1.25 K/BB ratio. On the plus side, Chacon was legitimately solid as a reliever in ’07 and can be shifted to the pen if necessary.