All Star in Tuatara talks

The Auckland Tuatara are in talks to bring one of the biggest names in baseball to the club.

Dontrelle Willis, who won the World Series with the Miami Marlins in 2003 and finished second in the voting for the National League’s Cy Young Award (best pitcher) in 2005, has expressed interest in joining the Tuatara and will have a meeting with the club this month.

From 2003, when he won National League Rookie of the Year, to 2008, Willis was one of the most formidable pitchers in Major League Baseball and twice played in the All Star game.

Willis is still only 38 and feels the Tuatara could be a stepping stone to help him get back to the majors.

Tuatara CEO Regan Wood said talks between himself and

Willis had gone well so far.

‘‘We’ve spoken with him and we’re going to catch up in Arizona, because he lives in Scottsdale,’’ Wood said yesterday. ‘‘He’s genuinely excited about coming down to New Zealand and exploring the opportunity. He wants to be a starting pitcher and as well as playing, he’d be able to help us out with our broadcasting.

‘‘He understands that New Zealand isn’t a baseball country, but that we’re on this journey and we’re all in it together. He hasn’t signed on the dotted line yet, but we have had a conversation and we have also had talks with a couple of other Major League stars, who are keen on thinking about joining us.’’

Willis has earned NZ$62 million over his baseball career, so certainly isn’t doing this for the money.

After being one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, his numbers fell away by the time he got to his late 20s and in 2015 he announced his retirement.

But Willis now thinks he’s still got something to give to the game and feels playing in the Australian Baseball League will help him impress MLB teams.

‘‘If you’re a player in the States and in an independent league, not all the scouts will see you,’’ Wood said.

‘‘But all of the scouts are watching the ABL.

‘‘That’s how Jared Koenig [who started last season with the Tuatara] got signed by the Oakland Athletics.

‘‘He’s been pitching for the last three years in independent baseball, then comes out here and throws for us for a few games and gets signed. If you want to make your way back, this is the best way to do it.’’