Former Dodger Chad Billingsley Signs With Phillies
There are certain players that stick around with an organization long enough that their departure seems like saying goodbye to a long-time friend.
This offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers said goodbye to outfielder Matt Kemp, who was drafted in 2003 by the team. At the end of the day, baseball is a business and with free agency being a high-dollar bidding war, it’s tough for a player to remain with one team throughout his career.
According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, there is another former Dodger draftee from 2003 heading to another team:
Phillies have agreed to a deal with P Chad Billingsley.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) January 29, 2015
Billingsley became a free agent after 2014, a season he missed due to injuries. He’s dealt with various injuries over the past few years, pitching in just two games since 2013.
His deal is a low-risk, major-league deal for the Phillies, and he could slot into their rotation:
Billingsley deal is one-year, $1.5 million. The deal includes performance bonuses. Depth in the event Hamels/Lee are traded.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) January 29, 2015
After being drafted in the first round in 2003, Billingsley was one of the team’s top prospects until his debut in 2006. The right-hander joined the Dodgers rotation full-time in 2008, starting a streak of four seasons in which he started at least 30 games. His best year was 2008 when he started 32 games, went 16-10 and had a 3.14 ERA. The 30-year-old was an All-Star in 2009 and finished his Dodger tenure with 81 wins in eight seasons.
If Billingsley can get healthy, he will give the Phillies a solid arm in their rotation.
