"Under The Gun" takes a look at one player from each team who will bear all the pressure for the upcoming '08 season.Even though Miguel Cabrera is the crown jewel of the Detroit Tigers additions this season, the guy who came along with Cabrera in the deal, Dontrelle Willis, isn't exactly a throw in. After all, this is a 26-year old lefthander whose already got a 22-win season under his belt in 2005. Unfortunately for Dontrelle, he's only won 22 games in the two seasons since then, good enough for a third or fourth starter, but not what you want from your ace.
Not if you want to win anyway, and Dontrelle's on a team that's planning on winning this year, and it's something he's already done in Florida. Luckily for Dontrelle, he doesn't have to be Detroit's ace, but that doesn't mean he's not under any pressure.
Let's be honest, the Dontrelle's last two seasons have been disappointing. I'm not as bothered by the fact that he's only won 22 games on a bad team, as much as I'm scared by the 5.17 ERA Willis had last season, or the career high 87 walks. Plus now the D-Train will be rolling through the American League, and pitchers are no longer on the platform. Instead it's guys like David Ortiz, Travis Hafner, and Jim Thome.
Oh, and he's already signed that three-year $29 million extension with the Tigers before ever throwing a single pitch in a Detroit uniform. There are a lot of expectations that come with all those dollars.
Dontrelle isn't going to have to be the ace of Detroit's staff if the Tigers are going to win the AL Central and get back to the World Series, but if he doesn't rebound from a few down seasons and adjust to the non-stop barrage of AL lineups, Detroit might not get past the Indians, let alone the rest of the American League.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-11-2008 @ 9:31AM
Tipcpup said...
One thing definitely worth noting: Willis is being reunited with Pudge. People are too quick to dismiss the effect a catcher can have on a hurler, especially a young one (*cough*BullDurham*cough*), and I don't think it's any coincidence that the last really good season D-Train had was the last year Pudge caught in South Florida.
Look at the effect I-Rod has had on the rest of the staff there, turning them from the greenest roster of pitchers in the A.L. into a Championship quality unit. He's one of the best in the game when it comes to helping out hurlers.
Not saying the chemistry is certain to be there again, but it certainly is cause for hope in Motown.
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2-11-2008 @ 9:37AM
kevin said...
The guy on that staff that I see as "under the gun" is Jeremy Bonderman. That guy has the stuff to be an ace, but so far in his career he's barely exceeded average.
As for Dontrelle, I expect him to rise to the occasion in the AL. I look for 16-8, 3.40 ERA. And good point from Tipcup, re: Willis' reunion with Pudge. Rodriguez can make any pitcher better.
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2-11-2008 @ 10:53AM
WaterBoat Jones said...
I gotta agree that Bondo is the one who needs to perform this year...thing is, he's only a 2 pitch hurler...that fastball is good and when the change-up is working that's good too, but you saw what happened the 2nd half of last year, guys sat on the fastball and his confidence went down the tubes...some said injuries, but it started long before that if you ask me. I've been a season ticket holder for quite sometime and I'll tell you, Bondo has got to get out of the first 2 innings without allowing 4 or 5 runs, in his first few starts, otherwise it's going to be a long season for him and possibly the Tig's. It got so it was a running joke, whenever he pitched in the second half, that if you didn't get there on time,when you came in, we could be behind by 5 and not even batted yet.. I believe we'll hit with anybody...just a few pitching questions that have to be answered. We know what we're going to get most of the time, but gotta watch what happens with Zumaya's shoulder, Bondo's head, Kenny's injuries, and Fernado's psychy....I must say tho, I still think we have the horses to close the deal! GO TIGERS! and Dontrelle, just relax and do what you do....we don't need a saviour, just a consistent starter.
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2-11-2008 @ 4:03PM
michael galgano said...
dont worry about dontrell he will not only pitch well but hes a 300 hitter and good fielder and he can steal bases
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2-11-2008 @ 5:22PM
joe cardillo said...
D-TRAIN will have a great season with pudge behind the plate he his ERA will be 3.89 they will score a lot of runs for him 19-9.
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2-12-2008 @ 2:14AM
Ralph Garcia said...
Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera's biggest problems are off the field. Willis can't seem to stay out of strip clubs and pees on the street. Can you say ghetto? I bet there are a lot of strip clubs he'll frequent all over Detroit. A-Rod has his strippers flown in from Vegas. D-Train will be catching the train to see them. Let's hope he won't get Marlins drunk Scott Olsen to drive him there. Police will taser his driver like they did last year with his buddy, Olsen. Cabrera's weakness is staying away from fast food all you can eat places. He eats like his spoon, knife, and fork are shovels. There will be sparks coming for his utensils this season also. He digs in like a road construction crew trying to dig up pavement.
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2-14-2008 @ 11:20AM
bet the super bowl said...
I really don't think Willis gets the most pressure. After all, look his last 2 years. Who would expect that much?
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