[swampdragon]

Talent generally wins out when GMs make hiring decisions in any sport. What Chacon just did was to cost himself a job with the Astros and to make his leash shorter wherever he catches on. He has to perform at a major league level consistently, or he'll be in an independent league in two years. He won't be babied, he won't be given time to get out of slumps, and he'll have to talk about this wherever he goes. That increases the pressure by 1000% or so, and most pitchers can't handle it (see Rocker, John). It's not a career ender, but it's the next thing to it.