2007 MLB Free Agents: Woody Williams

Last year, one of the "in the bag" free agent signings was Frank Thomas to the Athletics.  It had been long-rumored, and both sides wanted to make it happen.  This year, Woody Williams and the Astros may be a similar match.

Said John P. Lopez of the Houston Chronicle on August 31st:

"And that front-line starting pitcher the Astros will try to land come the winter? He's out there, watching. His name could well be Woody Williams, the Padres starter and long-rumored Astros acquisition who's apparently keen on making it happen this time."

Williams is thought to be intent on becoming an Astro because he is a Houston native.  If Williams is truly looked at as a front-line guy in this winter's market, perhaps he won't be the fourth starter for my All-Bargain Free Agent rotation after all.  Woody's making about $5MM this year, and could be in line for a deal similar to the one Kenny Rogers received before this season.  Rogers inked a two-year, $16MM contract with the Tigers.

Baseball Prospectus projects Williams to be worth about $5.6MM from 2007-08, but you have to overpay for starting pitching.

Comments

[Astro Fan in NYC]

I hope so. He dominates the Astros, and as they say, "If you can't beat them, sign them!"

[Matt]

Every year Williams is a FA there have been rumors of him signing with his hometown Astros but never did it happen. Hopefully he does this year since Backe is gone for the majority of next year.