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Texas Rangers rumors: Jerome Williams, a righthanded pitcher who was recently released by the Astros, has been signed to a minor league contract, and will join the rotation at AAA Round Rock.
The Rangers had interest in Williams as rotation depth after Derek Holland injured his knee in January, but Williams ended up signing with the Astros instead on a $2.1 million major league deal. Williams was released by the Astros after putting up a 6.04 ERA in 26 games out of the bullpen.
Williams, 32, will provide the Rangers with some additional minor league depth as they deal with their ongoing Season From Hell.
I have a soft spot for Williams, who had a very nice rookie season with the Giants in 2003, putting up a 3.30 ERA/3.96 FIP in 131 innings for San Fran as a 21 year old...in that high octane offense era, that was worth a 2.3 bWAR. I wanted the Rangers to try to acquire him, but he ended up getting dealt to the Cubs in 2005 in a deal for LaTroy Hawkins, and since 2005, has had little success.
