No real rumors are swirling about Dave Williams being traded to the Mets, but Buster Olney of ESPN thinks it makes perfect sense. I think the article is behind the Insider wall, but here’s an excerpt (go subscribe to Insider now; it’s worth the money):
• It wouldn’t cost them much more than the prorated portion of the $1.4 million he is making in salary. The Reds probably would be thrilled to simply rid themselves of the contract. At a time when the Mets don’t want to trade top prospects, and may prefer not to try to count on pitchers who have never worked above Class AA, Williams would seem to be a sound mid-level gamble. If he flames out and continues to struggle — so far this year, he has a 7.20 ERA — then it would only cost the Mets a bit of cash.
• Williams is only 27 and he generally has been at least adequate for much of his career, accumulating a 4.56 ERA in his 74 games (66 starts).
• Williams is much better suited pitching for the Mets, in spacious Shea Stadium, than he was pitching in Cincinnati, because he has an acute tendency toward generating fly balls. This season, he has an groundball-flyball ratio of 0.72, and last year, he was at 0.90.
Those are generally reasons why I hope the Reds don’t give up on Williams. He’s been a league-average pitcher for his career, and he’s getting ready to enter his prime seasons.
Get him an MRI!
No, give up on him.
It appears to be inconsistency that rattles Narron – same reason he got rid of Luke Hudson (whatever happened to him?). But I’d bet they’re working on a deal of some sorts – they’ve got something there, not useful in GAPB, but useful to the wider spanses of Shea or RFK or Dodger Stadium.
Hudson pitches for AAA Omaha in Royals’ organization. Forgot how to Google.
If he’s not suited to pitch in GABP, how come is ERA is 2.14 at GABP, and 12.79 away from it?
That ERA at GAPB versus other parks is really something. I wonder if it means anything other than that he was inconsistent, and happened to have his good outings at home. Anyway, mgmt obviously wasn’t impressed.
Yeah, the probem is if the Reds trade Milton to the Mets after cutting Williams . . . who’s going to pitch? Joe Mays? Darrel May?
Yeah, the probem is if the Reds trade Milton to the Mets after cutting Williams . . . who’s going to pitch? Joe Mays? Darrel May?
Comment by Brian B.  5/22/2006 @ 11:37 pm
Is Paul Wilson in the picture at all anymore???