Toronto’s Telltale Signing of Dotel

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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.

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.