The Williams Contract

In today’s review of free agents, Aaron wondered how Jon Lieber could get $7 million a year for three years and Woody Williams only get $3.5 million for one year, albeit with incentives. Got to admit, I wondered the same thing.

I guess the answer is in the incentives. Reportedly, the Williams deal is really worth about $14.5 million over two years. Williams will receive over $100,000 for every start, up to 32 starts, and the option for 2006 will vest automatically if he starts at least 15 games in 2005. He started 31 games this year.

That’s a nice way to guard against injuries, but $7 million a year seems to be the going rate for an average major league starter — even one in his late 30’s.