The Houston Astros have a deal with Jerome Williams, pending a physical, per Chris Cotillo on Twitter.
This is noteworthy for Rangers fans, because Williams was someone the Rangers were reportedly interested in, and had been pursuing as rotation depth. The Rangers have been looking for a veteran starter to help with the rotation, particularly now that Derek Holland is gone, and Williams was supposedly someone who they had been after.
This then leads to the question of, why did Williams go to Houston? He may feel like he has a better shot at staying in the rotation with Houston, or the Astros may be offering more money.
However, the Rangers have also been linked with Korean pitcher Suk-Min Yoon, a 27 year old Scott Boras client who is a free agent. It could be that the Rangers have backed off on Williams (and the other fringy starting depth guys) because they are going hard after Yoon to help shore up the rotation.
And of course, Bronson Arroyo, Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez are still dangling out there, looking for a home.
So it may be the Rangers have their sights set on something bigger than Jerome Williams.
Or it could be that the Astros were a better opportunity. We'll have to wait and see.