Astros considering pitcher, Chacon

Astros.com reports that the Astros have made an offer to pitcher Shawn Chacon:

"'I'm talking to his agent but we haven't reached any agreement yet,' Wade said.

It is unclear how close the two sides are to finalizing a deal, but it appears there is interest on both sides. Any final agreement would be contingent on Chacon passing a physical, and the two sides could be that close to putting a deal in place.

A message left for Horwits was not immediately returned.

Chacon is versatile enough to serve in both starting and relief roles, although he prefers to start. The fact that the Astros have holes in their starting rotation could be enticing to the 30-year-old righty. Chacon was moved from the Pirates' rotation to the bullpen midway through the 2007 season, not because of poor performance, but because the Bucs 'pen was in desperate need of help.

In a relief role, Chacon emerged as a solid setup man and received most of his work in the eighth inning. The Astros have Doug Brocail and/or Oscar Villarreal penciled in as setup men but may embrace another late game option.

Chacon's first choice was to remain with the Pirates, but because there is probably no room in their rotation and his salary demands were far from what the Bucs were offering, it appears Chacon is looking elsewhere. He's been rumored to be interested in the Orioles, but two days before pitchers and catchers report to Florida, it appears the Astros have made a bold appearance on Chacon's radar."

---My thoughts: I like the move, particularly if the Astros can't sign a higher caliber starting pitcher, like Lohse or Livan Hernandez (who just signed with the Twins).  Shawn Chacon is a good swing man, who can compete for a No. 5 starting job or work out of the bullpen.  I could see Chris Sampson and Chacon competing for the final rotation spot, with the loser getting a key spot in the bullpen.

Chacon had a decent 95 inning year with the Pirates in 07 and posted a 3.94 ERA (and identical RA rate)with 7.2 K/G.  He had a terrible 06, but was plagued by injury; he had arthroscopic surgery on his knee at the end of that season. His best season was 2005, when he posted a 2.85 ERA with the Yankees (an ERA+ over 140)and started a game in the ALDS.  He isn't a great pitcher, but he isn't bad either.

If the Astros can't improve the middle of the rotation, the next best thing is to improve the depth at the bottom of the rotation.

We'll see what happens.