What better time to ask the question: Should the Marlins keep or trade Dontrelle Willis?

I don’t believe Willis made his final Dolphin Stadium start as a Marlin Tuesday. If he did, he saved his best for last. Eight innings for the first time this season. Two runs. Seven strikeouts. Willis is now the all-time franchise leader in strikeouts, which is nice but doesn’t say a whole lot since the players who ascend to such lofty perches in the Marlins’ annals aren’t here long enough to amass stunning numbers.

Which brings us back to whether the Marlins should trade the arbitration-eligible Willis, who won’t qualify for free agency until after 2009. Let’s say the Marlins could get a young, cornerstone position player who may or may not be ready next season and two pitching prospects (a starter and a reliever) who may or may not be ready to contribute in 2008. Let’s also assume Willis would cost the Marlins $8 million. Tough question without knowing the prospects, I know, but those are your rough parameters.

Even after painstakingly documenting Willis’ decline the last two seasons in an article that ran in Tuesday’s editions, I still think the Marlins should keep him. Even if you told me right now Willis is not going to win more than 14 games in 2008 I’d still keep him.

Here’s why: Any mediocre No.

3 starter these days costs $7 million-plus. If the Marlins get 200 innings from Willis next season at $8 million, he’s a bargain. If this season taught us anything it’s that a team is toast if its rotation can’t consume innings.

All that said, I still would give teams every opportunity to blow me away with a trade proposal. If there’s an offer that can’t be refused, so be it. I don’t buy the fact that Willis’ trade value is all that much worse despite his lousy season.

In terms of pitching, this offseason’s free agent market is garbage. Would teams pause a little more before trading a trio of prospects to get him now? Sure, but I still think they pull the trigger. I’m willing to bet teams still see the energy, enthusiasm, work ethic, age and tell themselves we can fix him.

There’s my argument for keeping the guy around. I’ve read and heard plenty of opinions to the contrary so let’s hear them.

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