Two weeks after trading for Dontrelle Willis, Detroit GM Dave Dombrowski joined his pitcher to announce a new contract.
(Rob Widdis/Associated Press)
Baseball Notebook
Dontrelle Willis looked at the Detroit Tigers' snow-covered field and his familiar smile grew even wider.
The former Florida Marlins pitcher and California native wasn't about to let the white stuff or frigid temperatures spoil his big day.
Willis agreed to a $29 million, three-year deal with the Tigers yesterday, just two weeks after he was acquired in the biggest trade of the offseason. He can make an additional $1.5 million in award bonuses.
"I'm so amped up about being here and knowing I'm going to stay here," the big lefthander said. "It's mind-blowing to know I'm going to play for years to come for a team that had guys like Ty Cobb and Al Kaline."
The current Tigers are pretty good, too, and got even better when Willis and All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera were obtained from Florida for six prospects, including outfielder Cameron Maybin and lefthanded pitcher Andrew Miller.
"The Tigers were already good without me, but hopefully I can play a small part in putting the club over the hump to win another championship," Willis said.
Willis is looking forward to paying the Tigers back for their faith in him, proving last year was an aberration. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year and 2005 runner-up for the NL's Cy Young Award was 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA, starting a league-high 35 games.
Jenkins joins Phillies
Geoff Jenkins agreed to a $13 million, two-year contract with the Phillies, giving the defending NL East champions a lefthanded-hitting veteran to play either corner outfield position. Jenkins, 33, hit .255 with 21 homers and 64 RBIs in 132 games last season for the Brewers, and has hit at least 20 homers in seven of nine full seasons in the majors . . . Righthander Carlos Silva finalized a $48 million, four-year contract with Seattle. Silva, 28, was 13-14 last season for the Twins with a 4.19 ERA . . . The Royals finalized an $8 million, two-year contract with lefthanded reliever Ron Mahay.
Kapler to Brewers
Former Red Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler, who spent last season managing the Greenville Drive, Boston's Single A affiliate, agreed to a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Brewers. "My experience in Boston was amazing on so many levels," Kapler wrote in an e-mail last night. "My relationship with the city and the fans is and will always be special." Kapler refuted the suggestion the Sox were not receptive to inviting him back as a player because he'd quit as a manager. "As far as the question about burning bridges, it could not be further from the truth," he said. "My relationship with [Sox] baseball [operations] is stronger than ever."
Schneider speaks up
During his introductory press conference with the Mets, catcher Brian Schneider said he has no sympathy for baseball's steroid users. "They're grown men. They have to deal with the consequences," said Schneider, who was acquired from Washington Nov. 30. "I think it was good that it came out, and I think it will help the numbers [of users] go down." . . . Indicted slugger Barry Bonds is scheduled to make a brief court appearance today in San Francisco for a hearing to determine if some of his attorneys have a conflict of interest in his federal perjury and obstruction case. The judge called the hearing to decide whether the lawyers can still work for Bonds even though they previously represented other athletes who testified in the government's investigation into performance-enhancing drugs. Bonds pleaded not guilty Dec. 7 to four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to a grand jury about his drug use . . . Cuba plans to play in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Said Jose Ramon Fernandez, the island's top sports official, "It's been authorized." Cuba reached the championship game of the initial WBC in 2006, losing to Japan.
Gordon Edes of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
