Willis to key Marlins' 'Extreme Makeover'

By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

 

JUPITER ? Dontrelle Willis pulled on his Marlins uniformTuesday, walked out to the mound at Roger Dean Stadium and faced hitters for the first time this spring.

 

His opponents: Little Leaguers from Boynton Beach as part of a segment that will appear on ABC-TV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition reality show.

 

"They were wearing me out,'' a smiling Willis said after a pickup game, "but that's something they'll talk about the rest of their lives. Just helping people, spending time with these kids and seeing how much their families enjoyed it up in the stands. That's what it's about.''

 

Willis turned 24 less than a month ago and he recently got engaged to South Florida resident Natalee Vitagliano, who recently passed the Florida Bar.

 

But when pitchers and catchers report to camp Feb. 18, he'll be the wise old leader of what could be the most inexperienced starting rotation in the majors.

 

The runner-up in the NL Cy Young Award voting last year, Willis said he plans to give an informal speech to his fellow pitchers soon after they arrive in Jupiter. The message: believe in yourselves.

 

"I'm just going to say what I've got to say, and as individuals they can take whatever the feel comfortable with and leave the rest,'' said Willis, who led the majors with 22 wins in 2005.

 

"We're all different pitchers. We're all eager to go out there and be successful. Regardless of the age difference, we still want to go out there and win ballgames.''

 

Willis and veteran right-hander Brian Moehler are the only locks for rotation spots. Left-hander Jason Vargas is in line for the third spot.

 

The final two spots will come from a group that will include right-handers Josh Johnson, Yusmeiro Petit, Anibal Sanchez, Rickey Nolasco and Sergio Mitre and left-handers Scott Olsen and Reynel Pinto. Of that group. Mitre, who turns 25 on Feb. 16, has the most major-league experience, with 18 career starts, behind Willis' 95 and Moehler's 168.

 

But that won't necessarily give him an edge in competition this spring.

 

Mitre "is going to have to compete with some really talented young guys who don't have as much big-league experience as him but we see as bonafide major-league starters,'' Beinfest said.

 

"All of these guys are coming in on an even plane with an opportunity to win a job.''

 

Willis said he is looking forward to being a leader on the young team. But there's a chance he won't be around for a good part of camp because he will pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic that runs from March 3-20.

 

Willis said USA manager Buck Martinez left him a phone message Monday saying that he plans to put Willis on the final 30-man roster that will be announced March 2.

 

"He's already got it down to where he's telling guys when they're pitching,'' Willis said, adding that he doesn't know specifically which games he'll start."That's the greatest honor for any individual, to represent their country,'' he said.

 

Caravan success: More than 200 fans jammed J.J. Muggs Restaurant in Jupiter on Tuesday for the Marlins' only caravan stop in Palm Beach County.

 

Willis was not able to attend because his commitment with ABC ran longer than expected.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...illis_0208.html

everytime I start to hate the marlins for the crap sampson and some others pull. I read something like this on willis and I cant help but smile.

 

God I will hate it when the day comes that they let this kid walk. He is EVERYTHING that is right in baseball, in what it means, in what is good for the marlins and I think in people in general.

everytime I start to hate the marlins for the crap sampson and some others pull. I read something like this on willis and I cant help but smile.

 

God I will hate it when the day comes that they let this kid walk. He is EVERYTHING that is right in baseball, in what it means, in what is good for the marlins and I think in people in general.

 

 

I echo those same sentiments man, hopefully that day is far away or never.

This isn't going to happen again. Once funding is secured for a new stadium payroll will go up again.

Awesome, I have to catch this on TV.

 

 

The final two spots will come from a group that will include right-handers Josh Johnson, Yusmeiro Petit, Anibal Sanchez, Rickey Nolasco and Sergio Mitre and left-handers Scott Olsen and Reynel Pinto. Of that group. Mitre, who turns 25 on Feb. 16, has the most major-league experience, with 18 career starts, behind Willis' 95 and Moehler's 168.

 

But that won't necessarily give him an edge in competition this spring.

 

Mitre "is going to have to compete with some really talented young guys who don't have as much big-league experience as him but we see as bonafide major-league starters,'' Beinfest said.

 

"All of these guys are coming in on an even plane with an opportunity to win a job.''

 

 

I wonder if Mitre wouldn't be more helpful in the bullpen? He had 7 starts last season; 3 were good, 4 were dreadful. However he did good work in relief, and we could really use some help there. I just have this feeling that Josh Johnson, Yusmeiro Petit, and Scott Olsen have an edge at winning starting roles.

 

Mitre & maybe Pinto to the pen? (If Mitre doesn't throw lights out in ST that is.)

Just a dumb question, but why should Moehler be guaranteed a spot. He was downright awful at times last season and he was more bad than good to close the year.

 

If they all show something in the spring, I'd rather go with Willis, Johnson, Olsen, Mitre and Vargas or even Petit.

It could be that Moehler just wore down last year though. He pitched incredibly well for the first two months. The guy's ERA was in the 2s in the middle of June.

 

If he looks good early, we'll have several guys that could step in for him in the later months & he could move to the pen.

Moehler's struggles at the end of last sesaon could just have been a function of his absesnce from baseball the previous two years. He didn't have consistent playing time due to injuries, and since last year was his first full season in a long time, his stamina was diminished.

everytime I start to hate the marlins for the crap sampson and some others pull. I read something like this on willis and I cant help but smile.

 

God I will hate it when the day comes that they let this kid walk. He is EVERYTHING that is right in baseball, in what it means, in what is good for the marlins and I think in people in general.

agree 100%. well said.

Moehler's struggles at the end of last sesaon could just have been a function of his absesnce from baseball the previous two years. He didn't have consistent playing time due to injuries, and since last year was his first full season in a long time, his stamina was diminished.

 

 

I tend to agree with you, and believe Moehler has an excellent chance of being a solid #3 or 4 starter the entire season. But if he does wear down, then we should promote one of our young arms fill his spot.

Hey is anyone going to TiVo that show? If so, can you cut it down and post it up? :thumbup :cool

everytime I start to hate the marlins for the crap sampson and some others pull. I read something like this on willis and I cant help but smile.

 

God I will hate it when the day comes that they let this kid walk. He is EVERYTHING that is right in baseball, in what it means, in what is good for the marlins and I think in people in general.

 

 

:thumbup Couldn't have said it better myself.

Moehler's struggles at the end of last sesaon could just have been a function of his absesnce from baseball the previous two years. He didn't have consistent playing time due to injuries, and since last year was his first full season in a long time, his stamina was diminished.

 

 

I tend to agree with you, and believe Moehler has an excellent chance of being a solid #3 or 4 starter the entire season. But if he does wear down, then we should promote one of our young arms fill his spot.

Clearly the above two posts have it right, that Moehler simply ran out of gas halfway through the season after being out of pro ball for over a season.

 

I also think PB get's it right that in that having him in there the first half of the season (at least) may take some of the pressure off some of the young kids who may be better prpared to step in after the all-star break.

Moehler should be guranteed a spot over Mitre and thats it. Mitre is the worst player we acquired, and even with our downgraded team is probably looking at a bullpen spot at best, but more likely a spot with the Isotopes to start the season.

 

He is horrible.

Moehler should be guranteed a spot over Mitre and thats it. Mitre is the worst player we acquired, and even with our downgraded team is probably looking at a bullpen spot at best, but more likely a spot with the Isotopes to start the season.

 

He is horrible.

 

:banghead

What are you banging your head at 2003? Mitre really is horrible and in no way ready for the MLB. I hope our player evaluators are better than the Cubs, but the fact that we traded for him makes me think otherwise.

What are you banging your head at 2003? Mitre really is horrible and in no way ready for the MLB. I hope our player evaluators are better than the Cubs, but the fact that we traded for him makes me think otherwise.

 

 

You do know that Mitre made the Marlins look stupid in 2005?

 

Nah, of course you don't.

What are you banging your head at 2003? Mitre really is horrible and in no way ready for the MLB. I hope our player evaluators are better than the Cubs, but the fact that we traded for him makes me think otherwise.

 

 

You do know that Mitre made the Marlins look stupid in 2005?

 

Nah, of course you don't.

 

Actually yes I watched that gamen from my couch. Alot of mediocre pitchers made us look stupid in 05. One game doesn't change the fact that Mitre has been more horrible than good since he's been in the majors. I'd say, with all the young pitching we have, that Mitre even starting out at Albaquerque is a longshot, it might be back to Carlolina for him.

I'd say, with all the young pitching we have, that Mitre even starting out at Albaquerque is a longshot, it might be back to Carlolina for him.

 

 

You just don't get it do you?

I'm usually not one who shies away from making predictions but this year's team is so wide open, and so many things can happen between now and April, it seems to me writing off any player at this juncture is premature at best and down right foolish.

 

All these kids have the chance of a lifetime to stepup and secure for themselves a roster spot. Mitre may turn out to be a great acquisition or a total bust, but anyone who says they "know" how he'll perform is asinine.