Woody Williams signs with Astros

by VS on Nov 24, 2006 4:31 PM CST

At the same time during a Friday press conference, the Astros also announced the signing of veteran right-hander Woody Williams, formerly of the Padres, to a two-year contract worth $12.5 million.

Not a bad signing. Williams will fit in nicely at the back of the rotation and for just over six mil per season, he'll give you about league average production.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I'd be worried...

... that at age 40, Williams could suddenly decline. He had a nice year in 2006, but his strikeouts were way down. That could be a sign that his velocity is down.

In his career at Minute Maid Park he is 9-3, but with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.

If I'm an Astros fan I'm not all that excited about this signing.

by Al Yellon on Nov 24, 2006 4:44 PM CST reply actions

Also predictable...

...though I'm not sure 6MM+ per for league average production is cause for celebration. Especially for a guy who's knocking at 40 years of age. He's also an injury liability and not a few of those deep flies gobbled up by the spacious alleys at Petco will be landing in the Crawford boxes at the Maid.

Not sure how the Cubs do against him normally, but I remember a certain game in that memorable 5 game series in September '03 against the Deadbirds where we lit him up to come all the way back to win.

Does anybody else think the Williams and Lee signings pretty much preclude the Astros bringing back BOTH Clemens and Pettitte now? I do.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 24, 2006 4:46 PM CST reply actions

Clemens is to the Astros budget...

what Iraq is to the Federal budget, an off-the-sheet deal (except he'd pay for himself out of tickets and merchandise). I wonder how long we'd have to have gas at $1 a gallon to make up for what we've paid for Iraq??

Pettitte is another story, but I really think he'd done. He does not have the fire that Clemens has. Too bad, because he's probably got a couple of decent years left in him.

by DaveinHouston on Nov 24, 2006 5:40 PM CST up reply actions

Us pay for Iraq?

It's going to be paid for by the next generations!

As for the gas prices, doesn't matter what happens in Iraq, it's a drop in the bucket compared to increased demand for oil from Asia.

by DudeVf1 on Nov 24, 2006 10:45 PM CST up reply actions

Also...

...Williams does represent one of the first FA pitchers to go off the board. Chances are his signing all but guarantees Greg Maddux at least a 2 year deal, and for around 9MM per.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 24, 2006 4:52 PM CST reply actions

I forgot about PETCO Park

Williams certainly enjoyed home cooking last season.

Home - 67.2 IP, 2.93 ERA
Road - 77.2 IP, 4.29 ERA

by VS on Nov 24, 2006 5:06 PM CST reply actions

Home cooking...

If it's truly home cooking, he'll do pretty well in Houston too (he only lives a couple of miles from me!)

by DaveinHouston on Nov 24, 2006 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

I'm very excited about this signing.

And that's because I hate the Astros.
I don't believe that Williams is a "vintage" pitcher (ala Maddux) and think he's on the way down.

This balances out the Carlos Lee woes by saying "Here you go, guys. Light him up."

p.s. my signature is NOT for Williams. :)

WOODY!!!!

by Sarah Hope on Nov 24, 2006 5:51 PM CST reply actions

Plus

we'll still get to see him and Barrett mix it up. I love it when that happens. I hope Oswalt stays in the NL Central forever. . . or else always gets traded to whatever division Barrett is playing in.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 24, 2006 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

No worries

Barrett doesn't mind crossing League lines to throw a punch or two.

WOODY!!!!

by Sarah Hope on Nov 24, 2006 6:50 PM CST up reply actions

lee

expect carlos lee to light us up all year.was hoping he,d stay in the a.l.lets just hope he does,nt injure any more of our players

by NOMAR on Nov 25, 2006 4:24 AM CST reply actions

The Petco factor for pitchers --

for pitchers is very important. Look for this to not work out for the Astros. On the other hand, Lee will probably be successful -- but they overpaid.

by Smooth Jazz Man San Diego on Nov 25, 2006 1:58 PM CST reply actions

Still, not to worry too much...

...if Willy Tavares continues to see significant time, as well as Adam Everett and Brad Ausmus.

We all are angry because we have Cesar! in our lineup, but the Astros right now have 3 Cesars! in theirs, and that's something Carlos Lee can't negate all by himself.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 25, 2006 2:00 PM CST up reply actions

Woody Williams

The Astros spend a $100 million on a 285 pound left fielder, then turn around and give Woody Williams a two year deal. Wow. Williams will be rocked very, very hard in Houston. If he has an ERA under 5.50 I'll be shocked. It just goes to show how putrid the overall quality of pitching really is in major league baseball. Yeesh.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 25, 2006 9:13 PM CST reply actions