It is probably sheer fantasy, I admit, but if the Tigers ever give up on Dontrelle Willis, the pitcher, they might want to try him as a hitter.
        Hey, it worked for the St. Louis Cardinals with Rick Ankiel, why not Dontrelle?
        Before joining the Tigers in 2008 and falling victim to the designated hitter, Willis was a career .234 hitter with the National League Florida Marlins. He belted eight home runs and knocked in 35 runs in 351 big league at-bats. Hardly Hall of Fame numbers, but a significant contribution nonetheless.
        In 2007, Willis batted .286  with a .508 slugging percentage, a product of Dontrelle’s two HRs, two doubles, and three triples that season. And in 2003, he went 3-for-3 in a playoff game.
        At 27, it is probably too late for Willis to embark on a whole new career as a power-hitting outfielder the way Ankiel did after he gave up trying to locate the plate with his pitches in St. Louis.
        But the Tigers still owe Willis $18 million through next season. If Dontrelle, who starts again on Sunday in Pittsburgh, doesn’t get himself straightened out on the mound, the Tigers might want to try to at least get some bang for their bucks.