Cubs Sign D-Train to Minor League Deal

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports the Cubs have inked Dontrelle Willis to a minor league deal. Really?

The Cubs could use another lefty reliever, but this is one heckuva long shot. If Willis can adopt to a bullpen role, specifically as a loogy, there’s a chance he could make the team in spring training, but it’s a slim one.

Current Cubs southpaws:

• Travis Wood
• James Russell
• Brooks Raley
• Chris Rusin
• Hisanori Takahasi

Dontrelle Willis – 31 years old
All Time (72-69, 4.17) ERA+101
Lifetime .244 batter, 9 HR, 39 RBI
Last pitched in the major in 2011 with Reds
13 starts, (1-6, 5.00) ERA+79

Tigers (2008-10)
3 years (2-8, 6.86) in 22 starts
Total bust ERA+64

Marlins (2003-07)
5 years (68-54, 3.78) in 162 starts
15 complete games, 8 shutouts
Won ROY 2003
2-time All Star
Finished 2nd Cy Young 2005 (22-10, 2.63)

Vs. Cubs in 2003 NLCS
(0-1) 2-games, 1-start
Started Game 4 – 8-3 win for Cubs at Miami
2.1, 6-ER, 3-H, 5-BB, 2-K, 12.38 ERA: allowed first inning grand slam to Aramis

Cubs in minor leagues
2000: Rookie League (3-1, 3.76) 9-games, 1 start
2001: Boise (8-2, 2.98) 15 starts

Drafted by Cubs in 8th round 2000
Traded to Marlins in 2002 for Antonio Alfonseca & Matt Clement
Traded by Marlins to Detroit with Miguel Cabrera in 2007 for Dallas Trahern (minors), Burke Badenhop, Eulogio De La Cruz, Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller and Mike Rabelo