On Wednesday, MLB.com reports that reliever Octavio Dotel has signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. While it’s not yet a sure thing, Dotel has a shot at assuming the closer’s role.
Octavio Dotel Signs One-Year Deal With Blue Jays
Dotel will be thrown into the mix to replace Gregg but it's doubtful the Blue Jays will anoint him as the official closer prior to Spring Training.
Kevin Gregg shouldered most of the closing duties for Toronto in 2010, recording 37 saves and a 3.51 ERA. The Jays have a few more options for the closer's role in Carlos Villanueva and Jason Frasor. Their young starting rotation holds some potential, particularly in Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow, and the Jays apparently hope that a deeper bullpen will work toward pushing them over the hump. Toronto finished with an 85-77 record in the tough A.L. East last season.
Dotel, 37, spent his 2010 in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and Colorado. He put up a 4.08 ERA and 22 saves, nearly all of them with the Pirates. Dotel has evolved into the ultimate journeyman, as he'll be playing for his tenth team since 2004.
For more, check out SB Nation’s Blue Jays blog, Bluebird Banter.
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