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.