Dotel? We should know tonight

[mar_022]

Foulke out, Dotel in?

Posted by Tony Massarotti at 1:07 pm

 

While agent Dan Horwits has confirmed that reliever Keith Foulke has turned down salary arbitration, the Red Sox are one of the finalists currently in the hunt for reliever Octavio Dotel.

 

And the should have their answer tonight.

 

According to sources, the Sox are one of two or three teams to have made an offer to Dotel, who is expected to decide tonight where he will play the 2007 season. Dotel underwent elbow surgery in 2005 and pitched briefly for the Yankees at the end of last season, and will likely end up with a one-year deal in the range of $3 million with considerable incentives.

 

Along with the Sox, the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals reportedly have interest in Dotel. The Yankees are interested in Dotel as a set-up man to Mariano Rivera while the Sox and Royals are eyeing Dotel as a closer. In that way, the Sox and Royals would seem to have an advantage.

 

For Dotel, who was closing for the Oakland A’s before his injury, a one-year deal makes the most sense. He could close for a season and prove his health to clubs, then hit the market again next offseason for a more lucrative contract.

 

A 33-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, Dotel is 37-31 with a .375 ERA during his career. He had a career-high 36 saves in 2004, when he pitched for the Houston Astros and A’s.

 

It is unclear whether the Sox would continue pursuing other options in the bullpen if they are able to sign Dotel. If they have any questions about Dotel’s health and/or effectiveness, signing another reliever would give them depth, if nothing else.

 

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This confuses me. I don't understand why the FO would be pursuing Gagne and Dotel...although i kinda like the idea. You'd think one of them would return to somewhat good form, and the other should at least be serviceable, but this would be a strange move by the FO

[Cocos Disciples]

I wouldn't mind Dotel, but if he closes, be prepared for disaster.

[TheKilo]

I think Gagne would be the #1 choice for closer, but when healthy Dotel could be an excellent bullpen arm.

[Fried Neckbones]

I'm not really sure that signing two guys with recent elbow surgeries (amongst others) to anchor the bullpen for a combined $8 million is a very smart move.

[Bud]

woudln't mind Dotel for middle relief, but please God not as our closer!

[riverside sluggers]

I'm not really sure that signing two guys with recent elbow surgeries (amongst others) to anchor the bullpen for a combined $8 million is a very smart move.

 

As Ive said before, what are the better options?

 

Yes we could trade for Chad Cordero-- But Bowden's price from Boston is considered to be Wily Mo, 2 top pitching prospects

 

The Pirates were asking for Braves' 1st baseman slugger Andy LaRoche. Who would they ask in return from Boston?

 

Derrick Turnbow could be a possibility. But is also a risk himself. As a closer in the NL he broke down with a 6+ ERA

 

Brad Lidge, I believe could be off the table

[mar_022]

i'd like dotel somewhere in the pen as well, but he is believed to go somewhere where he is pretty much guaranteed the closer job...ie Kansas City

[elsrbueno]

i'd like dotel somewhere in the pen as well' date=' but he is believed to go somewhere where he is pretty much guaranteed the closer job...ie Kansas City[/quote']

 

I doubt the Sox are guaranteeing this guy a closer's job and this is just speculation from the media.

 

Adding his arm to the bullpen can't hurt-- but guaranteeing him the job is just silly.

[Cityofchampions33]

I hope this isn't Theo's brilliant idea to salvage the pen. I would feel evry good with Gagne AND Dotel for insurance.

[Rdsxmbnt]

I like the idea of signing both, could turn out bad, but theres some upside with both guys, before they got hurt they were elite set-up/CLs so even if one returns to form we would be in good shape.

[Anuj09]

globe reports Gagne talks have cooled down

[schillingouttheks]

Normally, links are good when you're stating that a source has reported something.

[Cocos Disciples]

I would do Dotel for 1 year at 3 mil and a team option for a 4 mil 2nd year.

[jacksonianmarch]

dotel to the royals for 1 yr 5 mil.

[example1]

Bah. Dotel is nothing but an injury prone set-up man. He's good and would have been a good sign but he obviously wants money more than the chance at winning he would have had in Boston or NY. Fair enough. The same is probably true of Gagne. Both guys know they probably only have one contract left so they better get as much out of it as possible.

[Cityofchampions33]

Ehh, have fun is sucktown USA Dotel, but whatever, in no way am I upset or dissapointed.

[Anuj09]

I just hope this doesnt make Theo feel obligated to sign Gagne - im not sure if hes worth the risk.

 

and about my earlier post, schillingouttheks, that was my bad man i was listenin to Weei and they just kept on saying talks have cooled down according to the globe

[Ray10]

Dotel as a closer I dunno if im willing to put myself through that Horror. I still think Gagne is the best way to go for Boston.