Padres get Williams as M's clear roster space

By Jim Callis
November 19, 2004

The Mariners were looking to open a spot on their 40-man roster, and they feared losing Randy Williams on waivers if they tried to remove him. So they did the next-best thing on Friday, trading him to the Padres for low-level outfield prospect Billy Hogan.

Williams, a 29-year-old lefthander, signed with the Cubs as a 12th-round pick out of Lamar in 1997. But he was rarely healthy in the Chicago system, missing all of 1997, pitching just three innings in 1998 and being sidelined for all of 2000 following elbow surgery. After sitting out 2001, he resurfaced in the independent Central League in 2002 before signing with Seattle that September. The Mariners have had success signing southpaws from indy leagues, also finding Bobby Madritsch and George Sherrill via that route. They named Williams the pitcher of the year on a prospect-studded staff at Triple-A Tacoma this year, going 7-2, 3.63 with eight saves in 50 games. In 79 innings, he had a 64-46 strikeout-walk ratio while allowing a .230 average and six homers. His best pitch is his slider, and he also has a solid fastball. Williams had just returned home after the minor league season when injuries created a need for him in Seattle, where he had a 5.79 ERA in six appearances. His career record in the minors is 17-9, 3.69 with 12 saves in 113 games.

Hogan, 21, was a fifth-round pick out of Chandler-Gilbert (Ariz.) CC in 2003. His bat is his best tool, but after hitting .344 at Rookie-level Idaho Falls in his pro debut he had a disappointing encore. Hogan batted just .219/.293/.319 with three homers and 28 RBIs in 74 games between low Class A Fort Wayne and short-season Eugene. He also moved from third base to the outfield because he's a defensive liability, and his immaturity disappointed the Padres.