Pirates sign Dave Williams
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Left-hander Dave Williams, the only Pirates starter to win 10 games last season, chose not to go to salary arbitration and signed a $1.4 million, one-year contract Monday with Pittsburgh. Williams didn’t secure his job as the Pirates’ fifth starter until the final week of spring training, then led the staff in victories by going 10-11 with a 4.41 ERA in 25 starts. He missed his final four starts with a strain in his left rib cage.
The 26-year-old Williams pitched his first career shutout Aug. 14 at Houston and was 7-4 on the road, but was 3-7 with 16 home runs allowed at PNC Park.
Williams gets a raise of $1,070,000 from the $330,000 he made last season. The deal includes incentives of $40,000 for 160 innings or 50 games pitched, $60,000 for 180 innings or 60 games pitched and $125,000 for 200 innings.