Dontrelle Willis

Alameda native Dontrelle Willis has signed a minor league contract to try to resurrect his career with the San Francisco Giants organization.

The 28-year-old attended Encinal High School, then exploded onto the big league scene as a star left-handed starter for the Florida Marlins. After signing a lucrative, long-term contract, Willis lost his his stuff and his ability to throw strikes.

From the moment I watched my first game of baseball, I was mesmerized by the importance of the pitcher. To win games you need to have a consistent pitcher, something that Dontrelle Willis wasn't for the Detroit Tigers or the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dontrelle Willis was the most exciting lefty pitcher to watch from 2003 to 2007, when he played for the Florida Marlins.

With the Florida Marlins he played magnificently, winning the Rookie of the Year and leading the Marlins to their second World Series title in 2003.

Dontrelle Willis was a young phenom with the Florida Marlins in 2002. Now, he is turning into a journeyman in the MLB.

Willlis was like Stephen Strasburg when he made his debut. He had a marvelous rookie year and was the ace of the Marlins' pitching staff.

In 2005, Dontrelle had 22 wins, but didn't win the National League Cy Young. He should have won though.

Then in 2007, Willis wanted to be traded from Florida. After that season he got his wish and was traded to the Detroit Tigers.

The San Diego Padres are not only in first place in the National League West at 31-20, but they also have the best record in the National League by a full game over the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals.

It's not exactly where most people and experts thought they would be at this point in the season. Yet, the Padres have gone from potential cellar dwellers and "sellers" at the trade deadline to buyers and possibly being able to take on salary above their $38 million payroll.

It's no secret that Dontrelle Willis is struggling. That's why it came as no surprise when the Detroit Tigers decided that he wasn't worth what they were spending on him—they designated him for assignment on May 30th.

However, there may be a perfect situation for him in St. Louis.

The Cardinals, who through Sunday were 29-22, could be looking for some pitching help, with starters Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse on the disabled list.

The biggest reason the Cardinals and Dontrelle could have mutual interest is the Cardinals' famed pitching coach, Dave Duncan.

The DTrain is going to be laying down new tracks....right out of Detroit. Dontrelle Willis, the struggling left hander, was designated for assignment after Saturday night's loss to the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park.

The move removes Willis from the 40 man roster and leaves the Tigers 10 days to trade him, release him, or send him outright to the minor leagues. However, Willis would have the right to refuse any minor league assignment and become a free agent.

This likely ends Willis' tenure in the Tigers' organization, which has spanned the past three seasons. 

Whenever I look at how well a baseball team might fare in the regular season and then play-offs, this is usually my thought process:

#1) Who is your ace? Must have that stud guy who the team can rally around.

#2) Who is the closer? If you can't finish games, don't tell me about how well you start.

#3) Do you have a big bopper? Need that guy that the other teams have to work around.

#4) Who are the second and third starters? Need some pitchers to keep things going after the ace.

#5) Got any table setters? Need some players on base for the big guy.

Dontrelle Willis just can't seem to get on an even keel.

It's a problem that he's had since he arrived in Detroit two years ago.

There have been times that he has looked like the D-Train of old, back in his Florida Marlin days, when he was a fan favorite.

And more times than not, he appears as the secondary piece of the Miguel Cabrera deal.

Dontrelle Willis pitched arguably his best game for the Detroit Tigers Thursday night, earning his first victory since May of 2009.

This is only Willis's second victory since arriving in the Miguel Cabrera trade and signing a three year extension.

Willis has struggled since coming to the American league. This is a step in the right direction for Willis who is still a fairly young pitcher at 28-years-old. Its easy to forget Willis has pitched in the world series (2003,) won rookie of the year, and won more than 20 games in a year (2005.)

Yesterday, once again Nationals outfielder Willie Harris made a bigger impact in Mets infamy in making a game-saving catch on Rod Barajas. With two outs in the ninth inning, Barajas was up at the plate with the bases loaded. The Mets catcher would eventually hit the ball into left field where Harris had just came in the inning before.