Send it in Jerome!

[Tim]

I can see Williams developing a serious weight problem as he ages. He's only 23 and he's already chubby. My inclination is to trade him while his value is high. If we keep him I definitely wouldn't give him a multiyear contract. If he gets a 3 year deal he could blow up like a balloon.

On the other hand, with his family issues behind him, he could also get back into shape and start throwing 95 again. In which case he'd be a heck of a pitcher.

[frostwyrm]

I can see Williams developing a serious weight problem as he ages. He's only 23 and he's already chubby. My inclination is to trade him while his value is high. If we keep him I definitely wouldn't give him a multiyear contract. If he gets a 3 year deal he could blow up like a balloon.

 

He does remind me of Quervo(sp)...Z's buddy that the Cubs traded.

 

Quevedo, yeah you could tell he was destined to fight the battle of the bulge for the rest of his life. Z used to be a bit chunky but I never worried about him because he's such a baseball fanatic and I knew he wouldn't let himself get too fat. Williams has the exact opposite temperament. When a laid back guy gets fat I worry about him.

[CuseCubFan69]

I can see Williams developing a serious weight problem as he ages. He's only 23 and he's already chubby. My inclination is to trade him while his value is high. If we keep him I definitely wouldn't give him a multiyear contract. If he gets a 3 year deal he could blow up like a balloon.

 

He does remind me of Quervo(sp)...Z's buddy that the Cubs traded.

 

You mean Ruben Quevedo?

 

But there are plenty of good and fat pitchers. Ray King. Bartolo Colon. CC Sabathia. David Wells (well, at least he used to be good). Even Zambrano wouldn't exactly be considered svelte.

 

Yeah, that's the guy! I agree that baseball has had some overweight pitchers that have been quite successful. Still..the added weight doesn't help them remain as healthy as a more fit pitcher. It's possible the only way they feel comfortable is to be that size but I would prefer that the weight stay down.

[CuseCubFan69]

I can see Williams developing a serious weight problem as he ages. He's only 23 and he's already chubby. My inclination is to trade him while his value is high. If we keep him I definitely wouldn't give him a multiyear contract. If he gets a 3 year deal he could blow up like a balloon.

On the other hand, with his family issues behind him, he could also get back into shape and start throwing 95 again. In which case he'd be a heck of a pitcher.

 

Very possible. If he hits 95 with consistancy would you still want to trade him and player X for Quentin?

[Tim]

I can see Williams developing a serious weight problem as he ages. He's only 23 and he's already chubby. My inclination is to trade him while his value is high. If we keep him I definitely wouldn't give him a multiyear contract. If he gets a 3 year deal he could blow up like a balloon.

On the other hand, with his family issues behind him, he could also get back into shape and start throwing 95 again. In which case he'd be a heck of a pitcher.

 

Very possible. If he hits 95 with consistancy would you still want to trade him and player X for Quentin?

Maybe. But at that point, you've got a 23 year old pitcher who has learned to pitch over the past couple years who then can pump his fastball at 95...that's a pretty attractive player.

 

But given that it's only a "slim" possibility of that happening, I'd go ahead and make the trade.

[frostwyrm]

If Williams comes back make it clear to him that Hill, Pinto, etc. will take his job if he doesn't perform. My impression is that Williams needs to feel the competition breathing down his neck.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I can see Williams developing a serious weight problem as he ages. He's only 23 and he's already chubby. My inclination is to trade him while his value is high. If we keep him I definitely wouldn't give him a multiyear contract. If he gets a 3 year deal he could blow up like a balloon.

 

He does remind me of Quervo(sp)...Z's buddy that the Cubs traded.

 

You mean Ruben Quevedo?

 

But there are plenty of good and fat pitchers. Ray King. Bartolo Colon. CC Sabathia. David Wells (well, at least he used to be good). Even Zambrano wouldn't exactly be considered svelte.

 

While those guys have all had success, they've all had periods where they've struggled mightily, and in most cases it's due to their weight.

 

That said, I wouldn't put Williams in a class with those guys, but I'd worry more about him in that aspect than say, Zambrano.

[frostwyrm]

Fatness didn't help Sidney Ponson, but that guy also needed a brain transplant.

[brinoch]

I think being overweight is something that you can overcome as a player, but why would you want to? Take Livan, for example. He has some serious knee problems -- which are probably seriously enhanced by his weight. Any injury -- or even a minor mechanical flaw -- can balloon into a real injury problem for an overwight player. Additional weight, strength obviously, can be asset in baseball, but definitely not when it's fat.

[CubfaninCA]

Yup good job by Williams. He's a keeper. Don't trade him off. The Cubs need pitching.

[frostwyrm]

I think being overweight is something that you can overcome as a player, but why would you want to? Take Livan, for example. He has some serious knee problems -- which are probably seriously enhanced by his weight. Any injury -- or even a minor mechanical flaw -- can balloon into a real injury problem for an overwight player. Additional weight, strength obviously, can be asset in baseball, but definitely not when it's fat.

 

Ponson went on the DL in August with a strained calf. I don't see how an injury like that could heal very fast when a player is carrying 40 lbs. of excess fat.