Toronto’s Telltale Signing of Dotel

Image courtesy of Daylife

Alex Anthopoulos was looking for a veteran arm for the bullpen, and he certainly found one. If the rumblings of the Octavio Dotel signing are in fact true, then the Blue Jays would be adding a 37 year old reliever with velocity in the mid-nineties.

Playing for 10 teams over the course of 11 seasons in the big leagues, Octavio Dotel is the Matt Stairs of journeyman relief pitchers. Pick up a cup of coffee every few seasons, and then move on to the next city.

I wouldn’t assume the signing of Dotel means the closer discussion is over, as it appears Jason Frasor and Octavio Dotel would be the two most likely candidates competing for the job. My personal preference would be Frasor, but I guess we’ll see what happens in Spring Training.


ADVERTISEMENT

Even if Octavio Dotel only turns into a half-decent middle relief guy, best case scenario is that he turns into a Type B free agent and the Blue Jays receive a pick for him. Or even better, maybe Dotel lights it up in the first half and Toronto gets a couple of prospects in trade.

At $3.5 million with an option for 2012, at least the Blue Jays have a backup plan just in case another reliever walks next season. It’s a fair amount to pay for somebody who’s been around the block a few times.

Ian Hunter

Ian has been writing about the Toronto Blue Jays since 2007. He enjoyed the tail-end of the Roy Halladay era and vividly remembers the Alex Rodriguez "mine" incident. He'll also retell the story of Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS to his kids for the next 20 years.

2 thoughts on “Toronto’s Telltale Signing of Dotel

  • December 30, 2010 at 5:10 am
    Permalink

    I wouldn't mind a platoon closer.

    Well, except when I'm at the game. Which, given the Toronto Star Pass, will be often.

    So never mind.

  • December 30, 2010 at 5:16 am
    Permalink

    Xave, I have a sneaking suspicion it's going to be a revolving door closer deal for the first little while. So long as Dotel or whoever it is isn't walking in the go-ahead runs, I'm cool with whoever closes out the ninth.

Comments are closed.