With reports circulating today that Roger Clemens is about to sign a one-year contract to pitch for the Houston Astros, many high-revenue teams will be scrambling to figure out a Plan B for solving their starting pitching woes.  Teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets, among other big-money contenders, may soon turn their attention to Dontrelle Willis, the young lefthander of the Florida Marlins.  Although the Marlins have stated in the past that Willis is not presently on the market, these are the Florida Marlins we're talking about, and anybody is availible at any time.

When teams, fans, and talking heads look at Willis, they see a star in the making.  With electrifying pitches and his unusual delivery, Dontrelle Willis has the skills needed to fulfill his full potential.  His regular-season career ERA of 3.27 entering the 2006 season is stellar for a third-year pitcher.  Where Willis may be lacking, however, is his psyche.  Dontrelle Willis, throughout his career, has not been a good big-game pitcher.  When the world is watching in a high-pressure situation, Willis melts like Velvetta in a microwave.  If his stuff is sufficient and his delivery is deceptive, there is only one possible reason why Willis hasn't performed as well in big spots.  Simply put, Dontrelle Willis can't handle the pressure of big games.

The statistics bear out my claim of Willis's lack of big-game heroics.  In the 2003 postseason, Willis was 0-1 with an ugly ERA of 8.53 in 12.1 innings pitched.  While some may view this performance as an excusable abberation by a young pitcher, Dontrelle's subsequent performances in big games are even more alarming.  In his next chance on the national stage, the 2005 All-Star Game, Willis allowed two earned runs in his lone inning of work.  Perhaps the worst performance of all Dontrelle's big-game appearances occurred in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.  Willis was charged with the loss in both starts he made for Team USA, managing only 5.2 innings of work and putting up a ghastly 12.71 ERA. 

The numbers add up.  Dontrelle Willis is a lousy big-game pitcher.  If you need an arm to get you to the postseason, there are few better than Dontrelle Willis.  But if you're counting on him to win a crucial game 7 in Yankee Stadium, then you can go ahead and book that Caribbean cruise the next day, for Dontrelle Willis will not get the job done.