Woody Williams

Williams signed with Houston during the offseason and is likely to serve as the Astros' fourth or fifth starter in 2007. The 40-year-old pitched well for San Diego, but will not benefit from a move to a much more hitter-friendly ballpark. Williams pitches to contact and does not strike out many batters, but showed he has something left with a 5-0 finish to the 2006 campaign.

Williams had his worst season in five years, posting an ERA of 4.87 and a .275 BAA. His July (6.68 ERA, .306 BAA) was what really sunk him, and when removed, his ERA is a more Woody-like 4.36. He's on the downside of his career, so bid with care.

Cardinal fans will recall his disastrous game one start against Boston in the World Series as the opening of the floodgates that ended with a Red Sox win. Williams allowed eight hits and seven runs in two-plus innings. Williams had a few outings like that in 2004, including a late-September loss to Houston in which he gave up 10 hits and eight runs in three innings. But 2004 wasn't all bad for Williams. He posted similar statistics to that of his wonderful 18-9 season in 2003. Those tough losses may have lingered, however, as the Cardinals allowed Williams to become a free agent at the end of the season.

Williams was ridden hard and put away wet for much of the summer, and lost just enough in the second half to become more hittable. He needs to throw a little less in 2004 to maintain effectiveness, and an improved Cardinals' pen would help. [Cue crickets.] His decline is coming, and it isn't going to be gradual, so select at your own risk.

After posting a 7-1, 2.53 mark with St. Louis after coming over from San Deigo in 2001, Williams went 9-4 with a 2.53 mark in 2002, despite missing much of the season with a strained ribcage. Williams, who has excellent control – 76/25 K/BB last season, 154/56 in 2001 – signed a two-year deal this offseason and will take his place behind Matt Morris at the top of the Cardinals’ rotation. Expect an ERA a little over 3.00 if he lasts a full season, but it looks like Williams, 36, has learned how to pitch.