Phillies re-sign Jerome Williams to one-year, $2.5 million deal

The Phillies have re-signed right-hander Jerome Williams to a one-year, $2.5 million deal for next season, according to an announcement from the team. According to a major-league source, the contract includes performance bonuses based on innings pitched that could make the deal worth a maximum of $4 million.

Williams, who turns 33 in December, went 4-2 with a 2.83 ERA in nine starts with the Phillies after they claimed him off waivers in mid-August, and was able to parlay his good performance into a guaranteed contract for next season. He struggled with the Astros and Rangers during the early part of the season, posting a 6.04 mark in 26 relief appearances with Houston before allowing eleven earned runs in two starts with Texas.

Williams will slot into a Phillies' rotation that is expected to retain veterans Cliff Lee, A.J. Burnett and Cole Hamels for next year as well as righty David Buchanan. Kyle Kendrick is expected to leave via free agency, so the club may make some moves to bolster the group, especially if they explore trades involving any of their veterans.

In nine major league seasons with the Giants (2003-2005), Cubs (2005-2006), Nationals (2007), Angels (2011-2013), Astros (2014), Rangers (2014) and Phillies (2014), Williams is the owner of a lifetime 48-54 record and 4.40 ERA in 192 appearances (128 starts).