Yeah, I think with what Kingham has shown, there should be a relatively fast hook on a guy like Williams. Ultimately, I think they have roughly the same potential, but at least in the early going, Kingham has flashed more strikeout potential, and Williams' vaunted command seems to have left him some this season. I'm one of his biggest supporters, but I'd say if he can't right the ship in another two starts, then at the very least its time for a phantom DL stint and some Kingham spot starts.
FWIW, he pitched 8 innings of 2-hit, shutout ball in AAA tonight. I'm holding out some hope that Nova will string some starts together and be movable within the next month or so. All things considered, he's not really a bad signing relative to what free agents get, but now with the acquisition of Musgrove, there's so little room, and so many options to try for the same production, that the trade would make some sense even as pure salary dump. I think he's been dependable enough that he'd get a modicum of value in return -- it's hard to underestimate how absurdly pitchers are overpaid, or how easy it is for them to go down in an instant.
It could be a shortsighted idea, but even if you think Williams and Kuhl both will completely flame out or something, there are a number of options, and then you take into account the not too distant horizon headlined by Keller, but also incluing guys like Waddell. Nova's upside is an above average innings eater, and I'd rather open a clearer path to eventually take another run at it with Glasnow.