The_Punisher Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I hate to be the one to bother with this, but I'm a huge fan of this guy. Why don't we take a chance on him on a minor league deal? I'd like to see us help him get back to the show. I know we asked about him during the FA signing period and he opted to sign with the Phillies instead, but can the interest still be there even though we are going through spring training? I'm thinking we might be the one to sign him this time. You can never have enough pitching depth anyways. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHaze Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 It's a sad situation, but I don't think so. I don't even know if his career can be salvaged at this point unless a willing team turns him into the next Rick Ankiel, which I've been hoping someone would do for a while now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Yeah, and the Phillies said that he was clearly suffering from a "dead arm" so his physical condition isn't the best right now. He's also put on a lot of weight since the 2003-2005 years. Being a situational lefty out of the pen looks great at first because of his career numbers versus LHB, but the guy is so antsy whenever he takes the mound, you have to wonder if he could even handle that role. I think the Rick Ankiel model would be best for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaMarlinsForever Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 the fact is he would never be the same like 2003, even back then he had his wildness, remember he would get hyper on the mound with his shirt hanging out. I remember many times when he would be pulled from the game early because of control issues. Yes it would be nice to reminisce, but its over, he should be happy he even had as many good years as he did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbob1313 Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 There's certainly no harm in trying him out on a minor league deal as a LOOGY. Zero reason to be opposed to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Love Me Some Fish Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 He hit ball good. He hit ball full time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirspud Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 While I don't know if any place is, I don't believe MIami is the place for him to resurrect his career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbob1313 Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Care to elaborate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 His career was over in 2007. Since then, he's stuck Detroit for 30 million, and others for minor millions. His record since we (fortuitously) got rid of him is total crap. He threw an average of 200 innings/year for us for 5 years at an ERA under 4, in the 5 years since he's thrown a total of 199 innings, at an ERA of about 8. He walked 3 per 9 innings for us, over 7 since. He's 5 years older and set for life unless he blew all his money. He's put on weight and hasn't shown any sign of being viable since. He never was a good clubhouse influence, and together with Cabrera was toxic. He's hit .244/.287/.387/.665 as a pitcher/PH in 9 years. Big deal. Ankiel had one good year playing almost full-time in '08 OPSing .843, the rest of the time he's been average or below. The Ankiel "model," beyond being very likely inapplicable, Ankiel not having a history of being a head-case, isn't convincing. I'd rather have Gload back as a lefty bench bat, he at least can play a position or two and put up an average OPS. Not that that's even an issue, we have other, much better, younger, lefty bench-bat prospects. I want nothing to do with Willis regardless of contract, he's an absolute and total waste of money. Time for him to hit a broadcasting booth if he wants to. Which is a shame, I watched the first ML game Willis pitched and saw the potential. Too bad it flamed out after 4-5 years. But, so it goes. Loria's not in the business of hiring ballplayers for nostalgia value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverBullet Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Since 2003 I never thought Willis was really that damn good of a pitcher. I don't mean that with disrespect, I just mean he was such an attraction because of his personality, style, delivery, and other quirks that he just became the type of pitcher who rode on the end of a lightning bolt for a brief but bright time. Behind that sizzle I don't think was that great of an actual pitcher to be able to extend his career. Sadly, that kind of player doesn't last once that spark dies out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverBullet Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Dude gets busted for drunk driving and picking up tranny hookers on south beach. No thanks. Dude how did you know that?!? Were you in that red car behind me? Damn!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirspud Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Since 2003 I never thought Willis was really that damn good of a pitcher. I don't mean that with disrespect, I just mean he was such an attraction because of his personality, style, delivery, and other quirks that he just became the type of pitcher who rode on the end of a lightning bolt for a brief but bright time. Behind that sizzle I don't think was that great of an actual pitcher to be able to extend his career. Sadly, that kind of player doesn't last once that spark dies out. It's hard to say he didn't feel like a great pitcher during 2005, but I felt pretty similar about his longterm career He just seemed to be a gimmick or a novelty that was going to wear off after a while. And while it was fun to see his emotions so plainly, almost like watching a little leaguer just truly enjoying playing the game, it was also part of the reason why I just didn't really trust him. While his career hasn't been smooth like I had projected, the guy I really wanted to keep from our big 3 was Beckett. Where Dontrelle had to eventually be relegated to the bullpen during the 2003 playoffs, Beckett made himself a star and was a world series MVP. On top of that, Beckett's pitching wasn't based on gimmicks or flashes, but real stuff. Still sad he wasn't the one we kept, and while most people will be happy with the outcome of getting Hanley, I still remember that we had to give up a World Series MVP, ace potential pitcher to package with Lowell to get him out of here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Love Me Some Fish Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Willis was never a good clubhouse guy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkFan Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 All I'm going to say if the Marlins can turn a Catcher into a Reliever, they can turn a franchise favorite (with a decent bat) into a Backup Outfielder. There's very little risk in taking a minor league flyer on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 He's only really had one bad year vs lefties and it was a year when he only faced them 45 times. I'd take him back as a LOOGY on a minor league deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverBullet Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Yeah I dont know how or when Willis wasnt a good clubhouse guy. As for Beckett, he's one of my favorite players to this day because he's a hell of a pitcher, not a gimmick like Willis was to me. Willis sometimes was just too happy for me. I'd hate to see him give up a bunch of runs and just smile and give his catcher a little "my bad" look. I felt like he needed more of an edge. I mean yes its good to have fun while playing the game but this is the big leagues, if you're not successful you need to be a little more competitive and pick up the slack. Going back to Beckett, he's a perfect example of this. I always had a sick enjoyment of seeing Beckett unleash a bunch of profanity into his glove when he had bad outings. I always felt like Beckett cared more about his failures than Willis did. And thus, who's still a superstar pitcher today and who isn't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30plus Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 And while it was fun to see his emotions so plainly, almost like watching a little leaguer just truly enjoying playing the game, it was also part of the reason why I just didn't really trust him. This sentence just made me really laugh for some reason. But Willis will always have a special place in the blackhole that is my heart. The first baseball game I ever attended was his MLB debut against the Rockies, which was in May of '03 I believe. He went 6 innings and got a no decision, if memory serves. I do miss cringing at the sight of him obliviously picking his nose in the dugout when the camera was on him. We all used to try and immitate his leg kick in JV ball. Good times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlins Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Going to the Orioles... Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Orioles will sign Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract. Willis was released by the Phillies last week after allowed five runs over 2 2/3 innings while walking four and striking out none this spring. The 30-year-old had a rough 5.00 ERA over 75 2/3 innings last year with the Reds, but held left-handed batters to a .127 batting average. He could function as starting pitching depth in the minors or the O's could move him into a lefty specialist role. https://twitter.com/...239256046075905 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlins Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Orioles signed LHP Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that it's a split contract worth $700,000 for time spent in the majors. Willis was released by the Phillies last week after allowing five runs over 2 2/3 innings while walking four and striking out none during Grapefruit League play. It's not clear if the Orioles will use him as a starter or reliever, but he's likely to begin the season in the minors. https://twitter.com/...244098592350208 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Good for him. That was pretty quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grifftheiii Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Best of luck to a guy who was a hell of a lot of fun to watch (back in the day) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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