Arms, At Last

Links (3)

Taking shape, but still inchoate
Published 1/13/2007 by Basil at Federal Baseball: Front Page Posts
... Yesterday, the Nats signed Jerome Williams (ex- of the Giants, ex-of the Cubs, sort of ex- of the Athletics) to a contract worth $500,000 if he makes the club out of spring training. Additionally, the Nats signed sore-armed lefty Brandon Claussen (ex- of the Yankees, ex- of the Reds, ex- of an innocent rotator cuff) to a minor league deal. I like both signings. As with most low-cost signings, there are some significant warts present: Williams is going steadily downhill, and Claussen is unable to pitch at the moment and no sure bet to return at a competitive level. However, as with many such signings, the potential for reward is great: Williams, only 25, has shown great potential in the past, and Claussen, a lefty, has pitched steadily enough in the past. Capitol Punishment has a particularly cogent run-down of the signings.

Blogging From Memphis
Published 1/13/2007 by JammingEcono at Banks of the Anacostia
... for these signings when they got non-tendered and I'm very happy to see them signed. The money committed is even less than I had anticipated would be necessary to make the deals work, which is even better news. Claussen is apparently more hurt than I originally thought and may not pitch until mid-summer. That is the only real downside to the deal that I could see. Huzzah's all around. Read more about the deal over at Capitol Punishment.

Southeast Jerome and the Pickle Guy
Published 1/14/2007 by Nate at Nats Triple Play
... Williams was the consensus pick for most intriguing remaining free agent pitcher. Just 25 years old, Williams has had big league success in the not-too-distant past (3.91 ERA in 17 starts in 2005.) But his numbers have been steadily declining, and he got rocked in Chicago last season. Still, there's plenty of time for him to turn it around and have the career everyone expected of him when he debuted as a San Franciso prospect in '03. Besides, it's not like we're risking a playoff spot by slotting him in as our probable No. 2 *gulp* starting pitcher.