MiddleClassSports.com

You’ve heard the story by now.  Shawn Chacon, pitcher for the Houston Astros, has been placed on waivers.  If he clears waivers, the Astros will terminate his contract.  This became necessary after he attacked his boss, the Astros’ GM, Ed Wade, during an altercation between the two.

Here’s my take:  Chacon is not a great pitcher.  He was recently demoted to the bullpen because he is 2-3 as a starter.  He’s got a problem with his temper and a bit of an ego.  As a journeyman pitcher who got demoted to the bullpen, he should have taken it like a man and worked harder.

But this is the problem that GM’s have created with pitchers.  You can be an average pitcher, at best, and have an inflated ego, because average pitchers are kept in the major leagues.  Pitching is so precious that teams will pay $2 million a year for a pitcher with a career record under .500.  Only in baseball can you make seven figures for failing more than succeeding.  Because teams pay these kinds that kind of money, pitchers get inflated egos and think they are better than they really are.  When Wade told Chacon, in essence, to get better, Chacon’s ego got in the way of his head and he pushed Wade to the ground.

I can’t defend Chacon.  Sure, maybe Wade’s attitude encouraged a response from Chacon, but under no circumstances can you throw your boss to the ground by his neck.  He gave the Astros no choice but to release him.

Here’s the irony of this story:  Most experts say that Shawn Chacon will eventually find his way onto another team.  The reason?  He’s still a serviceable pitcher and, at $2 million a year, he’s a steal.

Um, okay.  At least you know what you’re getting with him.