The Cincinnati Reds have a lot going for them these days.
They captured their first divisional title in 15 years. Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman is poised to become a household name. And on the heels of their stud first baseman Joey Votto bringing home the National League MVP, they bring in 2003 Rookie of the Year (and 2005 Cy Young runner up) Dontrelle Willis.
Dontrelle Willis…HELL YEAH!
If only this was 2005.
I mean, after going 46-27 with a 3.27 ERA and a World Series ring in his first three seasons, Willis has gone 25-36 with a 5.02 ERA in the five years since. The former media darling went from being the face of the Florida Marlins franchise to a walking, talking question mark. He went from winning the league’s Warren Spahn Award in 2005 to the Florida Marlins’ Charlie Hough “Good Guy” Award in 2006.
Seriously, they’re both real awards…but let’s get back on track.
As I was saying, the Reds are the fourth team to take a chance on the lefty since starting this past season with Detroit.
I’m pretty sure the 28 year-old Willis won’t have much of an impact on the Reds’ pitching staff given they don’t stand to drop off much from their stellar 2010 campaign, but if he can get back to the form that made him just the 12th member of the “Black Aces”…this upcoming season will be an interesting one.
But I’m not holding my breath.
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