Always on the lookout for pitching depth, the Phillies have agreed on a one-year contract with veteran lefty Dontrelle Willis, according to sources. Willis will get a big-league contract worth about 1 million when he passes aphysical. The deal is non-guaranteed, which means Willis could be released with 45 days termination pay in March. In other words, he has to make a good showing in spring training to stick with the club.
Willis won double-digit games from 2003 to 2007 with Florida, including 22 in 2005. He struggled in subsequent seasons and bounced through the Detroit and Arizona organizations before going 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA in 13 starts for Cincinnati last season.
Willis turns 30 in January. He is a close friend of Jimmy Rollins. Rollins was a few years ahead of Willis at Encinal High School in Alameda, Calif.
According to a source, the Phillies will use Willis as a reliever. They had been looking for a second lefty to team with Antonio Bastardo. Willis had success against left-handed hitters last season, holding them to a .127 batting average (7 for 55)and a .169 on-base percentage. He struck out 20 lefthanded hitters and walked just two.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com