Dotel Hot as trade deadline approaches

by Eli Greenspan on Jul 8, 2007 3:32 PM EDT

Relief pitcher Octavio Dotel is making himself one of the hottest commodities leading up to the July 31st trade deadline with his stellar play for the lowly Kansas City Royals. Dotel was one of the best setup men in the league for the Astros, the first half of a formidable 8th and 9th inning with former Astro and current Met Billy Wagner, before an elbow injury sidelined him. He has fought his way back these past few years and is now back in form with the Royals. Because of a shortage of healthy and capable relief pitchers, look for Dotel to be one of the hottest names in the weeks leading up to the deadline, with contenders looking to shore up their bullpens for the home stretch of the season.

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lifelong Royals fan here. Dotel will not come cheap. While everyone who doesn't know, speculates Dotel is a waste in KC, Dayton Moore might have other ideas. I think Dotel qualifies as the epitome of "the best trade you make sometimes is the one you don't." While Soria, Greinke and Riske can all close, Dotel is proven, Soria's arm is being babied after playing winterball. Soria and Greinke are leading candidates to be in next years rotation, leaving the bullpen very thin again, and Dotel coul;d reward the Royals for giving him a chance, and sign a long term contract.
If he is traded high, and it is estimated his salary will escalate out of reason on the FA market, the royals will be looking for a top flight starter prospect, or a right handed power bat. Maybe Dotel and Sanders go to Houston in a package for Hunter Pence. The former Texas Leaguer would be right at home with Butler and Gordon.

by Anonymous on Jul 17, 2007 2:11 AM EDT reply actions