Enright wins, remains in rotation

Diamondbacks rookie Barry Enright earned a win in his MLB debut with five innings of one-run baseball to down the Cardinals, 4-2. Enright will remain in the starting rotation for a while with the demotion of Dontrelle Willis to the bullpen.

Fantasy Impact: Willis immediately loses any kind of fantasy appeal he had left. Enright is a rookie who is worth a look in deeper leagues. The 24-year-old former second-round pick doesn't sound overpowering, but he improved his numbers over three seasons of minor league ball while making the jump from A-ball to Double-A. That says he learned to do a little pitching in his time in the minor leagues. His improved strikeout rate of 8.0 per nine innings this season at Double-A suggests he's got enough stuff to fool some MLB hitters. A low walk rate also helps matters despite the fact that Enright walked four batters over five innings in his debut. He's at least worth a flier, especially with the advantage of facing teams that have never seen him before.

Willis working his way back

When talking about potential American League Comeback Players of the Year, look no further than Dontrelle Willis, who is back to his usual smiling self in Tigers camp. Jim Leyland thinks his veteran lefty could be back on track, potentially for a shot at the team's fifth starter spot.

For Willis, Saturday marked the beginning of the beginning, the revving of the engine before the qualifying heats. The exhibition season opens Wednesday.

Leyland said of Willis' work Saturday: "It's probably the best I've seen him since we acquired him. His delivery was good. He was around the plate. He had some depth to his breaking ball. We'll see how that translates when other guys (opposing teams) start showing up."

Willis' windup looked more compact and fluid Saturday than it did last season. "I accomplished what I wanted to ... today," said Willis. "You live for today." He said more than once that he has punted last season from his mind.

Willis has had two outstanding seasons in his career, his rookie campaign of 2003 and his third season in which he won 22 games. There's every expectation that he can regain his form.

Fantasy Impact: Draft him. Seriously. He's only 27, he's bouncing back from the first major setback of his career, and if he feels right, he's Cy Young potential. Willis will be off some people's draft radar, so watch him slide into the later rounds, then draft him before he's gone. He could be a difference-maker in 2009.

Talking about Willis

Can Dontrelle Willis be the Cliff Lee of 2009? That's what the Detroit Free Press is asking, and it's not implausible.

The winter meetings begin anew tomorrow in Las Vegas, and many in the industry — Dombrowski included — believe this will be a very active week. The Tigers have a limited budget, and they need a catcher, shortstop and closer.

They could trade an expensive veteran to clear payroll, but how realistic would that be? Willis, for example, is due to earn $10 million next year and $12 million in 2010. Is any general manager going to look at Willis’ performance this year — 0-2, 9.38 ERA, too many outings were he could not throw strikes — and ask Dombrowski to send him the bill?

Well, not the entire bill. That’s an important distinction.

The odds do not favor a Willis trade this off-season, but the possibility will linger for a simple reason: Every team in baseball needs pitching.

But, then again, why not? Why wouldn't a contending team take Willis on as a 5th starter? As Detroit to pay a percentage of the bill, and if he rebounds anywhere near his former self, you get a steal. If he doesn't work out, he's just a 5th starter. A midseason trade can bring you another arm, or a minor league call-up might pan out. Willis could become an attractive name to many at this week's winter meetings.