Why do some media reporters make up disputes where none exist in connection with an already newsworthy story?
In his most recent column, Chronicle columnist Richard Justice updates the status of Stros firstbaseman and future Hall-of-Famer, Jeff Bagwell. As regular readers of this blog know, the Stros situation with Bags is a tad difficult at this point. Bags is at the end of his career and is a shadow of his former stature due to a chronically arthritic right shoulder that prevents him from throwing a ball effectively. The Stros backloaded Bags’ most recent contract so that he will receive approximately $24 million in this final season of the contract ($17 million in salary and $7 million to buy out an option for next season). That’s far in excess of Bags’ value as a player at this point, but what the heck — you win under some long-term contracts and you lose under others.
Inasmuch as Bags is probably no longer capable of being an every-day player, the Stros prefer to work out a settlement with Bags under which the club would declare Bags disabled under the club’s disability insurance policy, the club and the insurer would either litigate that claim or settle it, the club would pay Bags his $24 million and Bags would retire as the greatest player in club history. Bags, for his part, states publicly that he would prefer to play out this season, but he has to say that because saying that he cannot and retiring is the only way that he would not be entitled to recover the $24 million that the Stros still owe him under his contract. For their part, the Stros have never said or done anything that indicates that they would not pay the balance of Bags’ contract according to its terms.
While discussing all of this, Justice illogically criticizes the Stros’ desire to declare Bags disabled and make a claim on the club’s disability insurance policy, and then observes as follows:

Before this gets ugly ó and it could get ugly as each side presses its case ó the signing of veteran outfielder Preston Wilson indicates where the Astros believe this is headed.

So, what’s “ugly” about the situation? That the Stros prefer to settle up with the best player in club history rather than have him languish on the bench for a season as an over-priced pinch-hitter? What would be ugly would be for the Stros to use a disabled player in their everyday lineup simply because the club doesn’t want to eat his contract. Rather than being critical of the club, Justice should be complimenting the Stros for not doing just that.