The D-Train has pulled out of the station. Dontrelle Willis has agreed to a one-year deal with The Philadelphia Phillies. yeah, like thy really needed pitching. Willis didn't have an impressive record last season in the 'Nati, but I invite you to watch his performances. Willis proved last season he still had something to give. If anything, the rest of the team didn't help him out when he took the mound. He even helped himself out at the plate, hitting home runs and driving in runs, but it just wasn't meant to be.
Willis has struggled with some issues, notably two knee operations and a battle with anxiety issues, in the past and was just trying to be half the pitcher he used to be last season. It was a project. He was trying to put the struggles behind him and just go out there and pitch again.
I think that project has worked. Willis is not going to be an over-powering presence on the mound, and certainly is not going to be an ace for any rotation at this stage of his career. However, he showed last season that he still has something to give to a ball club, and the feeling is that he can transition into becoming a fine relief pitcher, something that will be new to him.
Willis helped guide the Marlins to a World Series title in 2003. Up until 2007, he was a premier option as far as pitching went. That is the season the wheels started to fall off. Willis bounced around from Detroit to Arizona, then to farm clubs in the Giants organization before landing in the graces of second-chance giver Dusty Baker and the Reds.
Willis needs to settle into his new role as a relief pitcher. I think it's obvious that he is no longer an option for a starting spot, but he did show that he is still very serviceable on the mound while he was in Cincinnati, and Being part of the vaunted Phillies pitching ranks now, i think will see Dontrelle have his most productive season since about 2006.
I hate to see him go, but I think we all know that the Reds would have continued to have him in the rotation of starters, and that is not where he needs to be at this point in his career.
Willis has struggled with some issues, notably two knee operations and a battle with anxiety issues, in the past and was just trying to be half the pitcher he used to be last season. It was a project. He was trying to put the struggles behind him and just go out there and pitch again.
I think that project has worked. Willis is not going to be an over-powering presence on the mound, and certainly is not going to be an ace for any rotation at this stage of his career. However, he showed last season that he still has something to give to a ball club, and the feeling is that he can transition into becoming a fine relief pitcher, something that will be new to him.
Willis helped guide the Marlins to a World Series title in 2003. Up until 2007, he was a premier option as far as pitching went. That is the season the wheels started to fall off. Willis bounced around from Detroit to Arizona, then to farm clubs in the Giants organization before landing in the graces of second-chance giver Dusty Baker and the Reds.
Willis needs to settle into his new role as a relief pitcher. I think it's obvious that he is no longer an option for a starting spot, but he did show that he is still very serviceable on the mound while he was in Cincinnati, and Being part of the vaunted Phillies pitching ranks now, i think will see Dontrelle have his most productive season since about 2006.
I hate to see him go, but I think we all know that the Reds would have continued to have him in the rotation of starters, and that is not where he needs to be at this point in his career.
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