We all know Dontrelle Willis as the 26 year-old ace who can get the job done. Let me tell you, he has definitely not lived up to that status this season.
In 2003, Willis helped the Marlins win the World Series as a rising star. In 2005, he accumulated a 22-10 record with a 2.63 ERA and 170 strikeouts, finishing among the top-three for the Cy Young Award.
Since then, Willis’ game has been in a continuous downward spiral.
On Tuesday, Tiger’s management had enough of Dontrelle Willis, who signed a three-year, $29 million extension this past winter, sending him all the way down to single A, Lakeland.
This is clearly the lowest Willis can get without being released, but can you blame Detroit?
Hoping to jump right back into the World Series this season, Detroit acquired Miguel Cabrera and Willis. That’s not what the 2008 season had in store for the Tigers, who started out the season miserably, but eventually came back, then once again hit a slump.
As for Willis, his game was left in Florida, as he holds an 0-1 record in five games with five strikeouts and a disgusting 10.32 ERA.
The choice to send Willis down to single A came late Tuesday, shortly after he picked up his first loss of the season against the surging Indians, lasting 1 1/3 inning, giving up three hits and five walks for eight earned runs.
The send-down hopefully gives Willis the mindset to get back on his game, because reaching his potential could mean good things for the Tigers, who currently hold a 27-37 record, good enough for fourth place in the AL Central, just ahead of Kansas City.
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