2012 MLB Free Agents: Dontrelle Willis, Kelly Shoppach Sign
Two more free agents are officially off the market as it’s being reported that the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with pitcher Dontrelle Willis and catcher Kelly Shoppach. Willis will be used out of the Phillies bullpen in 2012, while Shoppach is expected to backup Jarrod Saltalamacchia in Boston next season.
Willis, once one of the game’s premier young starters, was able to log 75 2/3 innings at the major league level last year for the Cincinnati Reds. This was Willis’s highest such total since the 2007 season when he was still a member of the Marlins.
Though he was used strictly as a starter last year by Cincy, Willis will pitch out of Philadelphia’s pen in 2012. During his time with the Reds last season, Willis maintained an ERA and WHIP of 5.00 and 1.520 over his 13 starts. Willis has the potential to earn around $1 million based on whether or not he reaches certain incentives next season.
Shoppach doesn’t represent nearly the enigma that Willis does. At this point in his career, Shoppach is considered by most to be either a platoon player or backup catcher. While his defense is seen by many as above average, Shoppach only managed a line of .185/.285/.340 over his past two seasons in Tampa Bay.
Shoppach will be used by the Red Sox to backup starting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The 31-year-old is set to make $1.35 million in 2012.
The Shoppach signing signals and end to the Jason Varitek-era in Boston.
For more on the Phillies and Red Sox, be sure to check out That Balls Outta Here and BoSox Injection.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.