But the Giants wanted to send a message of confidence to the group, and Williams heard it loud and clear.

"I'm just going to work to make sure I'm in that rotation, no matter what they say,'' Williams said. "I can't take anything for granted. Who knows what's going to happen? If I'm not performing, someone can come in and take my job. I have to keep believing that it's always up for grabs.''

Williams, a Waipahu High alum who worked out all winter in Fresno, Calif., has another incentive to do well this season. He almost certainly will be eligible for salary arbitration for the first time after this year, and could receive a significant raise.

The Giants signed Williams to a one-year contract yesterday for $336,000. It's a modest raise from the $308,000 he earned last season.

For the first three years in the major leagues, players have almost no negotiating power. Teams that do not come to terms with players can simply renew them at any salary of the club's choosing over the major-league minimum. This year, the minimum salary went up from $300,000 to $316,000.

Williams worked on his endurance over the winter so he can pitch deeper into games this season. That will help the team, and also his own arbitration case. Pitchers who last longer tend to earn more decisions.

"Endurance is the most important thing,'' Williams said. "I wasn't pitching seven or eight innings most of last year. I went five or six. You have to be in condition to throw more than that.''