I can see it now: It is June 18th, or the 19th, or the 20th. The Tigers are hosting Arizona at Comerica Park and the Diamondbacks' starting pitcher is none other than Dontrelle Willis.
    Imagine the reaction, among the fans -- the same fans who right now are so giddy to see Willis go --  if Dontrelle shuts his old playmates out, or at least shuts them down.
    Don't laugh. It could happen. How embarrassing would that be?   
    If you thought the Tigers' decision to give Willis a three-year, $29 million deal before he threw a single pitch on their behalf was nuts, consider this: They are now paying the Diamondbacks about $8.1 million to take Dontelle off their hands -- even though he could come back to haunt them later this month.
    But look at this week's trade from Arizona's point of view:
    The Diamondbacks, who have by far the worst pitching staff in baseball,  get rid of a pitcher, Billy Buckner, who served up 17 runs in 13 innings in three starts for Arizona earlier this season, and pick up a former two-time All-Star and 22-game winner -- and all it costs them is about $267,000.
    Meanwhile, Willis, who recently bought a house in Arizona, is looking forward to starting anew. He is scheduled to make his first start for the Diamondbacks on Saturday.
    Things can't possibly get any worse for the 28-year-old lefty.
    No knock on the Tigers, but I, for one, wouldn't be shocked to see him a few games and revive his career in Arizona, just as Nate Robertson has done with the Florida Marlins.
    The 26-year-old Buckner, by the way, is not related to famous -- or should I say, infamous -- former first baseman Bill Buckner.
    But I bet you never thought you'd see the names of Bill Buckner and Dontrelle Willis mentioned in the same blog.