Source: Willis agrees to one-year deal
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Source: Willis agrees to one-year deal
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Dontrelle Willis once won Rookie of the Year and finished second in Cy Young voting. He's resurrected a career presumed done at age 26, and now he'll be asked to assume a role he's never filled before.
A major-league source confirmed the Phillies agreed to a one-year deal with Willis, pending a physical. His base salary, first reported by ESPN.com, will be less than $1 million. All of Willis' 13 appearances were starts in 2011 and 202 of his 205 career games are starts, but the source said he'll be reliever for the Phillies.
Willis posted a 5.00 ERA in 75 2/3 innings for Cincinnati in 2011, but the Phillies apparently saw enough to guarantee the lefthander a one-year contract for 2012.
The answer probably lies in his ability to retire lefthanders.
His career numbers against lefties are outstanding, holding them to a .200/.274/.288 slash line. In 2011, those numbers were even better, as lefties hit .127 with a .369 OPS against. He turns 30 in January.
Ruben Amaro Jr. said he wanted to add a lefthanded reliever at the winter meetings and Willis simply adds depth to a unit teeming with promise. The other advantage: Theoretically, if the Phillies needed a starter to slide into the rotation because of injury, Willis presents that backup plan.
The Phillies have now guaranteed contracts to three relievers -- Jonathan Papelbon, Jose Contreras and Willis. Contreras' health is still in question, but he is scheduled to begin throwing in January. Kyle Kendrick was offered arbitration. The remaining three spots in the bullpen will be filled by a handful of young arms. Figure Antonio Bastardo is a lock. That leaves Mike Stutes, Justin De Fratus, Phillippe Aumont, David Herndon, Michael Schwimer and Joe Savery to fight for two spots.
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I would think Willis, as a reliever, will be the distance reliever when a starter leaves early. He always gave a good three or four innings as a starter - hitters tend to get to him the second time around. Deception is his game more that anything else. A lot like Kaat and Moyer. The Phillies have lacked a true distance reliever ( Kendrick really is not one ) since Durbin and Park left.
I kind of like Willis in the role.— candidly- I'm with bear and DPL, command will be the issue here. Willis to the pen is a risky proposition, unless there is another move coming. He wasn't a strike thrower, especially the last few years his career and if you don't throw strikes coming out of the pen, you're done. Even when he was good he led the Marlins in base on balls and hit batters once. With Detroit in '08 he walked 35 batters i 24 innings. He has 500 BB in 1200 innings. Maybe KK will be moved to open a spot for Willis as a long reliever/spot starter.— EL Zorro
- I am indifferent to this trade. Willis has no control on his pitches right now. And the phils want him to come out of the bullpen (most likely in close game situations) to throw strikes after sitting for 2 hours. I will believe it when I see it.— penncrow19
- Why not? The two other spots for the Pen could also see another lefty in Savery and then Stutes, Aumont or De. So this could be solid and if Jose cannot come back, add De. or the guy not chosen above. Now, we need a SS and a hitting anything!!!!— Koons
- Equine fecal matter. May not get out of spring training. An ERA of 5.00 is NOT good by any standard. But, maybethe Phils are hoping for a Tebowesque moment here.— mattbagley
- If so, then why a guaranteed deal...why not a minor league deal that escalates if he makes the team?...Guaranteed deals to legitimate question marks limits roster flexibility...But hey, it's only money. At least he'll have big fun with the Phanatic..His personality (past the depression) is really infectious. — bearsfriend
- Willis avg. 8.8 BB/9 with Detroit (92 BB in 101.1) and 10.2 BB/9 with Arizona (22 BB in 22 inn.) At least he did better with Cincy, 37 BB in 75, but still a 4.4 BB/9. He also has allowed 9.2 hits per 9 in his career. Even during his best year with Florida.— EL Zorro
- It is not a guaranteed deal A no lose situation
"Always on the lookout for pitching depth, the Phillies have agreed on a one-year contract with veteran lefty Dontrelle Willis, according to sources. Willis will get a big-league contract worth about $1 million when he passes a physical. The deal is non-guaranteed, which means Willis could be released with 45 days termination pay in March. In other words, he has to make a good showing in spring training to stick with the club." From Salsbury— pattymac3 - I like this signing from the viewpoint that its outside the box, presents little financial risk and has the potential of solidifying the Pen, which needs lefties - experienced lefties.
The pitching is looking good; but its been looking good for a while...— Cameiros - The only guy 'slapped' in this is Savery, and Amaro is probably correct in wanting to see Savery repeat his 2011 success before putting him in key situations with the ML team.— eman
- Opps, 28 BB in 22 inn. with Arizona.
— EL Zorro - I think Philly10 is the Stephen Smith of this board. You can't disagree with a move involving a black athlete without him insulting you. Get a life bro. Not everything is about race here.— EL Zorro
- Low risk, high reward— Chainsaw
- We need bats not arms. Please bring Gillis back Amaro is clueless.— Unstable1
- I LOVE this signing, Ruben - the very fact that warcrap hates it should tell you all you need to know. Oh, Philly.thompson837 says Contreras had an "ok" year in 2010 - do any of you guys look before you type? He had a 3.36 ERA, struck out 57, gave up 53 hits while walking only 14 non-intentionals - in 56 ip. Just OK? If you say so.— dwp66
