Houston Astros Sign Shawn Chacon to One-Year Contract

Right-hander was 5-4 with 3.94 ERA with Pirates in 2007

02/20/2008, HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros announced today that the club has signed right-handed pitcher Shawn Chacon to a one-year, $2-million contract, plus incentives. The announcement was made by General Manager Ed Wade.

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"Shawn gives us another experienced arm to add to our mix," said Wade. "I know that he had better financial packages out there, but Shawn thinks we can win, and he wants to be part of what we have here. We'll put him into the competition for a spot in the rotation and let him battle it out. We know that he can help us in some role in 2008."

Shawn Chacon, 30, was 5-4 with one save and a 3.94 ERA (42ER/96IP) in 64 games for Pittsburgh in 2007, including four starts. A veteran of seven big league seasons, he is 43-58 with 36 saves and a 4.98 ERA (463ER/836.1IP) in 254 career Major League games (119 starts).

Chacon was a 2003 National League All-Star for Colorado, finishing that season with an 11-8 record and a 4.60 ERA (70ER/137IP) in 23 starts. He finished ninth in the National League with 35 saves the following year (2004), and the save total remains the second-highest total in a single season in Rockies franchise history.

The Astros are the fourth Major League team for Chacon, as he has also played for Colorado (2001-05), the New York Yankees (2005-06), and Pittsburgh (2006-07). He will wear jersey number 1 for the Astros.

Source: MLB