Those days are long gone. Now he's just a minor league journeyman, after being payed $12M to rarely be on the Diamondbacks roster last year. The 28-year-old was yesterday signed by the Reds organization to a minor league deal. Maybe there's a chance he'll get his control back, and be able to effectively use his amazing stuff. He's always been an above-average hitter for a pitcher. Could he do what Rick Ankiel did at first successfully, and become a position player? That's not so likely, but still a possibility. While Willis yearns to be the pitcher he once was, he'll need to fix himself in the minors first.
Willis' story is one of triumph and tragedy. It is doubtful he will ever be as good as he once was, but there is still a possibility he could turn himself into a serviceable #4 or #5. He has big league experience and good or bad, that is something that any AAA or AA pitcher cannot offer. Unfortunately for Willis, the Reds are not the team that he will find his groove again, at least not in the Majors. The Reds rotation is set: Cueto, Arroyo, Wood, Volquez, and Bailey in some order. The rotation is both young and talented. Under the experienced hand of Bronson Arroyo, the Reds rotation will be very difficult to crack for both hitters and other pitchers within the organization. Sorry, Dontrellle. Cincinnatti has a "Red" light when it comes to entering their rotation. Look elsewhere.
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