Williams is thrilled to return to Washington: He expressed genuine excitement about staying with the Nationals, emphasizing his love for the city and his desire to contribute to the team's success.
Continuity and familiarity are key for Williams: He values familiarity with the coaching staff, particularly pitching coaches Hickey and Doolittle, and believes this continuity will be beneficial for his development. Williams is focused on improvement and staying healthy.
Williams is excited about the future of the Nationals: He expressed confidence in the team's young talent and believes the Nationals are building something special.
Washington D.C. - The Washington Nationals announced the re-signing of starting pitcher Trevor Williams at the end of 2024. This move brings a sense of relief and excitement to the right-hander, who was "really hoping to come back," to the DMV region. Williams said, "My family loves it here in D.C., and I was honestly a little sad when the season ended, not knowing what free agency would hold. So I'm incredibly grateful to be back with the Nats."
The road to re-signing had twists and turns during this off-season. "There was definitely mutual interest from the start," Williams explained. "But Mike Rizzo also Davey Martinez made it clear that I had every right to explore my options. We kept the lines of communication open throughout the offseason, and in the end, we were able to make it work."
One of the points that Williams candidly discussed was the challenges of his injury-plagued 2024 season. "Rehab was tough," he admitted. "There were days I wanted to bang my head against the wall. But the training staff kept me grounded, reminding me to focus on the small victories each day."
Looking ahead, Williams is eager to build upon his past successes. "The key is to keep adapting," he said. "The league is always evolving, and I need to keep learning and growing as a pitcher." He emphasized the importance of continuity with the coaching staff, particularly pitching coaches Jim Hickey and Sean Doolittle. "Having that familiarity with the coaches is invaluable," he said.
One of the goals for Williams this upcoming season is to ensure that he gets to pitch at least 100 pitches each time he has the ball from the start. "Eighty pitches should be on the floor of every start, right? I believe that, and I'm confident enough that I can get to that 100-pitch mark every time I take the ball now.
"I'm going to be in a stronger position now to be able to do that. And if that's what Davey asks of me, I will do that. And if Davey asks me to do the same thing, 80 pitches, five innings, if he wants me to do that, I'll take the ball and do the best I can every five days."
"Williams confirmed he'll be a starting pitcher when asked about his role. "I'm excited to see how the young guys continue to develop," he said. "Watching Mitchell [Parker] and DJ [Herz] take that next step will be awesome. The energy in the clubhouse is incredible, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it."
Williams also acknowledged the importance of staying healthy and consistent. "Availability is key in this league," he said. "I've been working hard this offseason to improve my strength and delivery, and I'm determined to stay on the field and contribute to the team's success."
Reflecting on his off-season training, Williams explained, "You're always trying to find ways to improve, to optimize your performance. What worked for me when I was 24 might not work for me now at 32. It's about finding those small adjustments – in my training, my diet, everything – that can make a big difference."
Williams expressed his optimism for the future. "I believe in the guys in this clubhouse," he said. "We're building something special here, and I'm excited to be a part of it."
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