Sometimes Boxing Week sales are not what they are cracked up to be. Once that discount big-screen TV comes out of the box, the picture suddenly does not seem so great.

Such might be the case with Octavio Dotel, a late present from Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos to his team’s fans and the frontrunner to be Toronto’s closer in 2011.

Dotel’s agent is already confirming that, pending a physical, the 37-year-old has reached an agreement on a one-year contract for US$2.75-million, plus an option.

Kevin Gregg, last year’s closer, is a free agent and unlikely to return. While he saved 37 games in 2010, his penchant for losing the strike zone caused no shortage of nails to be chewed down to the knuckle. Still, Gregg’s 3.51 earned-run average in the American League East was far better than Dotel’s 4.08 mark with three teams in the National League.

The signing of Dotel is an indication that, despite the optimism inspired by Toronto’s strong young rotation and last year’s surprising 85-win season, Anthopoulos is not ready to go all in.

He has traded rotation mainstay Shaun Marcum and let Scott Downs and John Buck depart as free agents. His major additions have been outfielder Rajai Davis, third baseman-turned-designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, 20-year-old prospect Brett Lawrie and, now, Dotel.

Anthopoulos is fond of saying players will decide when they are ready and he is taking the same approach with his team.

For Toronto to make a great leap forward in 2011, many things need to go right. Adam Lind and Aaron Hill both need to rebound from poor seasons; rookie J.P. Arencibia has to prove himself a capable everyday catcher; Vernon Wells needs to stay healthy again; and Jose Bautista must show he is at least something in between the player who hit a major league-leading 54 home runs and the one who hit 59 in his career before last season.

And, as Anthopoulos knows better than anyone, his pitching rotation must continue to progress. Ricky Romero, Brett Cecil and Brandon Morrow tantalized with strong 2010 seasons, but the general manager has pointed out that none have made a habit of making 30 starts and pitching 200 innings.

Together they are more of a Medium Three than a Big Three right now. Rookie Kyle Drabek, is also likely to see significant time in the rotation.

In other words, Toronto is a team full of  ifs.

“You don’t know until you let these guys play [and] at the same time you try to reassure yourself if they do fail,” Anthopoulos said at the winter meetings. “The realist in you knows that young players … how many of them do stick?”

Toronto still plays in the most competitive division in baseball with the reloaded Boston Red Sox, the financially mighty Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays who, despite some losses, still boast two of the league’s best young stars in pitcher David Price and third baseman Evan Longoria.

The Dotel signing is unlikely to put a scare into any of those teams. But as frustrating as it might be for fans that have not had a playoff run since 1993, Anthopoulos is taking the prudent approach.

Should everything break the Blue Jays way and Toronto finds itself well above .500 in July, there is nothing preventing Anthopoulos from trying to add the pieces he needs then.

If not, the decision to wait will look smart.

Follow Jeremy Sandler on Twitter.

Sometimes Boxing Week sales are not what they are cracked up to be. Once that discount big-screen TV comes out of the box, the picture suddenly does not seem so great.

Such might be the case with Octavio Dotel, a late present from Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos to his team’s fans and the frontrunner to be Toronto’s closer in 2011.

Dotel’s agent is already confirming that, pending a physical, the 37-year-old has reached an agreement on a one-year contract for US$2.75-million, plus an option.

Kevin Gregg, last year’s closer, is a free agent and unlikely to return. While he saved 37 games in 2010, his penchant for losing the strike zone caused no shortage of nails to be chewed down to the knuckle. Still, Gregg’s 3.51 earned-run average in the American League East was far better than Dotel’s 4.08 mark with three teams in the National League.

The signing of Dotel is an indication that, despite the optimism inspired by Toronto’s strong young rotation and last year’s surprising 85-win season, Anthopoulos is not ready to go all in.

He has traded rotation mainstay Shaun Marcum and let Scott Downs and John Buck depart as free agents. His major additions have been outfielder Rajai Davis, third baseman-turned-designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, 20-year-old prospect Brett Lawrie and, now, Dotel.

Anthopoulos is fond of saying players will decide when they are ready and he is taking the same approach with his team.

For Toronto to make a great leap forward in 2011, many things need to go right. Adam Lind and Aaron Hill both need to rebound from poor seasons; rookie J.P. Arencibia has to prove himself a capable everyday catcher; Vernon Wells needs to stay healthy again; and Jose Bautista must show he is at least something in between the player who hit a major league-leading 54 home runs and the one who hit 59 in his career before last season.

And, as Anthopoulos knows better than anyone, his pitching rotation must continue to progress. Ricky Romero, Brett Cecil and Brandon Morrow tantalized with strong 2010 seasons, but the general manager has pointed out that none have made a habit of making 30 starts and pitching 200 innings.

Together they are more of a Medium Three than a Big Three right now. Rookie Kyle Drabek, is also likely to see significant time in the rotation.

In other words, Toronto is a team full of ifs.

“You don’t know until you let these guys play [and] at the same time you try to reassure yourself if they do fail,” Anthopoulos said at the winter meetings. “The realist in you knows that young players … how many of them do stick?”

Toronto still plays in the most competitive division in baseball with the reloaded Boston Red Sox, the financially mighty Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays who, despite some losses, still boast two of the league’s best young stars in pitcher David Price and third baseman Evan Longoria.

The Dotel signing is unlikely to put a scare into any of those teams. But as frustrating as it might be for fans that have not had a playoff run since 1993, Anthopoulos is taking the prudent approach.

Should everything break the Blue Jays way and Toronto finds itself well above .500 in July, there is nothing preventing Anthopoulos from trying to add the pieces he needs then.

If not, the decision to wait will look smart.

jsandler@nationalpost.com

© Copyright (c) National Post

Sometimes Boxing Week sales are not what they are cracked up to be. Once that discount big-screen TV comes out of the box, the picture suddenly does not seem so great.

Such might be the case with Octavio Dotel, a late present from Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos to his team’s fans and the frontrunner to be Toronto’s closer in 2011.

Dotel’s agent is already confirming that, pending a physical, the 37-year-old has reached an agreement on a one-year contract for US$2.75-million, plus an option.

Kevin Gregg, last year’s closer, is a free agent and unlikely to return. While he saved 37 games in 2010, his penchant for losing the strike zone caused no shortage of nails to be chewed down to the knuckle. Still, Gregg’s 3.51 earned-run average in the American League East was far better than Dotel’s 4.08 mark with three teams in the National League.

The signing of Dotel is an indication that, despite the optimism inspired by Toronto’s strong young rotation and last year’s surprising 85-win season, Anthopoulos is not ready to go all in.

He has traded rotation mainstay Shaun Marcum and let Scott Downs and John Buck depart as free agents. His major additions have been outfielder Rajai Davis, third baseman-turned-designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, 20-year-old prospect Brett Lawrie and, now, Dotel.

Anthopoulos is fond of saying players will decide when they are ready and he is taking the same approach with his team.

For Toronto to make a great leap forward in 2011, many things need to go right. Adam Lind and Aaron Hill both need to rebound from poor seasons; rookie J.P. Arencibia has to prove himself a capable everyday catcher; Vernon Wells needs to stay healthy again; and Jose Bautista must show he is at least something in between the player who hit a major league-leading 54 home runs and the one who hit 59 in his career before last season.

And, as Anthopoulos knows better than anyone, his pitching rotation must continue to progress. Ricky Romero, Brett Cecil and Brandon Morrow tantalized with strong 2010 seasons, but the general manager has pointed out that none have made a habit of making 30 starts and pitching 200 innings.

Together they are more of a Medium Three than a Big Three right now. Rookie Kyle Drabek, is also likely to see significant time in the rotation.

In other words, Toronto is a team full of ifs.

“You don’t know until you let these guys play [and] at the same time you try to reassure yourself if they do fail,” Anthopoulos said at the winter meetings. “The realist in you knows that young players … how many of them do stick?”

Toronto still plays in the most competitive division in baseball with the reloaded Boston Red Sox, the financially mighty Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays who, despite some losses, still boast two of the league’s best young stars in pitcher David Price and third baseman Evan Longoria.

The Dotel signing is unlikely to put a scare into any of those teams. But as frustrating as it might be for fans that have not had a playoff run since 1993, Anthopoulos is taking the prudent approach.

Should everything break the Blue Jays way and Toronto finds itself well above .500 in July, there is nothing preventing Anthopoulos from trying to add the pieces he needs then.

If not, the decision to wait will look smart.

jsandler@nationalpost.com

© Copyright (c) National Post

Octavio Dotel posted a 3-4 record and 4.08 earned-run average in 68 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers last season. (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)

The Toronto Blue Jays might opt for a softer-tossing, older and less-effective alternative to Kevin Gregg in the closer role in 2011.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos has finalized a one-year, $3.5-million US contract with 37-year-old free agent Octavio Dotel, the relief pitcher’s agent told ESPNDeportes.com.

“Octavio is excited about playing for a team that will give you the opportunity to close games in the strongest division in baseball,” Dominic Torres said.

The deal isn’t expected to be made official until Dotel travels from his native Dominican Republic to Dunedin, Fla., for a physical in the new year, according to ESPNDeportes.com.

Dotel, who pitched for Pittsburgh, Colorado and the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, would have a base salary of $2.75 million next season, with a $750,000 buyout. The deal also includes a $3.75 million team option for 2012, Torres said.

In 68 relief appearances in 2010, Dotel posted a 3-4 record and 4.08 earned-run average.

Gregg, 32, is also a free agent and has been courted by the Baltimore Orioles for several weeks, but has yet to sign a contract. He had a career high 37 saves last season — his first with the Blue Jays — and blew nine other chances while amassing a 2-6 record and 3.51 ERA in 63 games.

In November, Anthopoulos elected not to exercise either of the two options in Gregg’s contract. He had a $5.25-million US option for 2011 and a two-year option of $9.5 million for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Gregg became a free agent when he rejected salary arbitration from the Jays.

Toronto would obtain a supplementary pick between the first and second rounds of next June’s amateur draft if Gregg signs elsewhere.

Gregg is more of a groundball pitcher than Dotel, who struck out more opponents than the former — averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings to 8.8 per nine — last season.

The Rockies would obtain a supplementary first-round draft pick if Dotel, a Type B free agent, becomes property of the Blue Jays or another squad.

Another former Toronto reliever, left-hander Scott Downs, signed a three-year free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this month.

Toronto Blue Jays draft pick Marcus Knecht has been chosen the Canadian college baseball player of the year in a poll conducted by the CanadianBaseballNetwork.com.

The hard-hitting outfielder from Toronto received first-place votes on 49 of 51 ballots.

Knecht transferred from Oklahoma State University to Connors State College due to a lack of playing time and went on to capture two portions of the triple crown among the more than 700 Canadians playing college baseball in the U.S., with 23 homers and 87 runs batted in.

Outfielder Sean Bignall of Toronto had the highest average, batting .458 for Northern Oklahoma-Enid Jets.

Chosen in the third round by the Blue Jays, Knecht batted .268 with five homers and 34 RBIs in 61 games for single-A Auburn after signing.

Knecht also heads the CanadianBaseballNetwork.com’s 11th annual All-Canadian team, which also features 2009 player of the year South Dakota State third baseman Jesse Sawyer of Calgary.

The rest of the All-Canadian first team includes Cumberland lefty Shawn Schaefer of Pitt Meadows, B.C., Ottawa’s Matt McGovern of North Carolina-Pembroke, Burlington reliever Nathan Lewis of Tarleton State, and Mississauga, Ont., catcher Peter Bako, from Connors State.

The infield consists of Canisius first baseman Brian Burton of Kitchener, Ont., Iowa Western second baseman Ivan Hartle of North Vancouver, B.C., Sawyer, and Laval, Que., shortstop Carl Moniz from Georgia State.

Joining Knecht and Bignall in the outfield is Greg Wallace from Nanaimo, B.C. of Evansville Purple Aces.

Paul LaMantia of Tecumseh, Ont., and the Wayne State Warriors won the DH spot.

Former Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell is making moves up in Toronto, adding a potential closer to his bullpen.

According to ESPNdeportes.com, the Blue Jays have settled on a one-year deal with the Rockies former reliever, Octavio Dotel. The right-hander reportedly signed a contract that contains a base salary of $2.75 million for the 2011 season, with an additional $3.5 million team option for 2012. The deal also includes a $750,000 buyout if Toronto does not pick up his 2012 option.

The official announcement is waiting on the results of a physical, which will be completed in Dunedin, Fla., after the New Year.

Dotel threw for three different teams last season, posting a combined 4.08 ERA through 68 appearances with the Pirates, Dodgers and Rockies. He recorded 22 saves on the year.

Dotel will likely take over the closing responsibilities in Toronto, as former closer Kevin Gregg was granted free agency in November.

Reliever Octavio Dotel and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal Tuesday, the player’s agent told ESPNdeportes.com.

Octavio Dotel

#35 RP
Toronto Blue Jays

2010 STATS

• GM68
• W3
• L4
• BB32
• K75
• ERA4.08

The agent, Dominic Torres, said the deal includes a $3.5 million team option in 2012.

Dotel will have a base salary of $2.75 million next season. The contract includes a $750,000 buyout if Toronto does not pick up his 2012 option.

Dotel, who is in the Dominican Republic, will travel to Dunedin, Fla., after the New Year’s festivities to undergo a physical exam. Dunedin is the spring training site for the Canadian franchise.

“Octavio is excited about playing for a team that will give you the opportunity to close games in the strongest division in baseball,” Torres said.

The 37-year-old Dotel saved 22 games in 64 innings with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies last season. He has 105 career saves in 12 major league seasons.

Kevin Gregg, who saved 37 games as the Blue Jays’ closer last season, is a free agent.

Enrique Rojas is a reporter for ESPNdeportes.com.

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed veteran relief pitcher Octavio Dotel to a one-year contract, reports FoxSports.com.

The Jays will be Dotel’s 11th team since breaking in with the New York Mets in 1999.

Last season the 37-year-old had a 3-4 record with 22 saves and a 4.08 ERA with Pittsburgh, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado.

FoxSports.com is reporting the deal is worth $2.75 million US for the 2011 season. There is also a $3.75 million club option for 2012 and that comes with a $750,000 buyout clause.

Dotel had a career-high 36 saves in 2004.

© Copyright (c) Postmedia News

Updated Dec 28, 2010 9:18 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays have finalized a one-year, $3.5 million contract with reliever Octavio Dotel, a major-league source told FOXSports.com.

The contract includes a $2.75 million salary in 2011, followed by a $3.75 million club option — with a $750,000 buyout — for 2012.

Dotel pitched for the Pirates, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers this year. He went 3-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 68 relief appearances.

Dotel joins a Toronto bullpen that already lost key setup man Scott Downs. Kevin Gregg, who saved 37 games for the Jays this year, is still a free agent.

« 5 Outfielders Who Could Benefit From Werth’s Deal | Main | This Date In Transactions History: December 28th »

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 28, 2010 at 8:03pm CST]

The Blue Jays agreed to sign Octavio Dotel to a one-year, $3.5MM deal that includes a club option for 2012, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com (Twitter links). Dotel will undergo his physical in Florida in the New Year, according to Rojas. 

Dotel will be the frontrunner for Toronto’s closer job this spring, though he’ll have to earn it, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi reports that the contract will pay the 37-year-old $2.75MM in 2011. There’s a $750K buyout for a $3.75MM club option in 2012.

The Blue Jays lost Scott Downs to the Angels and Kevin Gregg also seems likely to depart via free agency. To a certain extent, Dotel actually resembles Gregg statistically. Both walked about one batter per two innings last year, while Dotel (10.5 K/9) struck out more opponents than Gregg (8.8 K/9). Gregg picked up 37 saves to Dotel’s 22 and posted a lower ERA (Gregg: 3.51 ERA, Dotel: 4.08 ERA). Gregg also throws slightly harder, is five years younger and induces more ground balls. The two pitchers are both represented by Beverly Hills Sports Council.

The Blue Jays could have exercised Gregg’s $4.5MM option for 2011 after the season, but chose to decline. Assuming Gregg signs a major league deal elsewhere, they’ll end up with an extra supplementary first round draft choice and a bullpen that costs $1MM less (the difference between Dotel’s guarantee and Gregg’s option).

The Pirates – the first of the three teams Dotel played for last year – and the Rays were among Dotel’s suitors this offseason. The Rockies – the third of the three teams he played for – will obtain a supplementary first round pick in next year’s draft since they offered the Type B reliever arbitraiton.

It’s worth noting that Colorado will get a compensation pick for a player who appeared in eight games as a Rockie. Even more remarkably, the Blue Jays gained a supplementary first round pick for losing former Rockie Miguel Olivo, a player who never once suited up for them.

The Toronto Blue Jays and free agent reliever Octavio Dotel are close to agreeing on a one-year contract, according to ESPN.com.

The deal would reportedly be almost identical to the 37-year-old’s $3.2 million base salary in 2010, with nearly half a million in performance-based incentives.

“We only need some minor details to complete the deal,” a source with knowledge of the negotiations told ESPN.com.

Dotel, who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies during the 2010 season, posted a 3-4 record with 22 saves and a 4.08 ERA in 64 innings pitched with 75 strikeouts. 

The Jays, who have lost Jeremy Accardo, Scott Downs, Brian Tallet and Kevin Gregg this off-season, have room in their bullpen for an experienced pitcher.

The Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays were the other two teams reportedly in talks with Dotel.

TORONTO — The Blue Jays entered the 2010 campaign in Phase One of a long-term rebuilding plan. First-year general manager Alex Anthopoulos had just traded away franchise player Roy Halladay during the offseason, and many critics predicted Toronto would finish in the basement of the American League East.

The Blue Jays clearly didn’t pay much attention to those expectations, though. Toronto played above .500 baseball for almost the entire season and finished with an impressive 85-77 record. Toronto would again finish well back in the AL East, but a young core thrilled the fan base and provided plenty of hope for the future.

Along the way, the Blue Jays bid farewell to longtime manager Cito Gaston and watched Jose Bautista secure his place in the record books with a 54 home run season. Anthopoulos laid the groundwork by rebuilding the farm system and acquiring Major League talent that will remain under club control as the team continues its quest to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

On the mound, it was young starters Brandon Morrow (10-7, 4.49 ERA), Ricky Romero (14-9, 3.73), Shaun Marcum (13-8, 3.64) and Brett Cecil (15-7, 4.22) who led the way. The four hurlers actually helped the Blue Jays improve their team ERA in 2010 even though Halladay was no longer in the fold.

On offense, it was Bautista’s historic season that swept the nation. With Bautista leading the way, Toronto finished first in the Majors with 257 home runs, which tied the 1996 Orioles for third-most all-time, and were 46 more than second-place Boston.

There were lots of storylines to remember from the 2010 season. Here’s the list of our Top 5:

Looking back at 2010 MLB Year in Review • Game prospering • Final standings • Statistical leaders

5. J.P. Arencibia and Kyle Drabek make their Major League debuts as the next generation of ballplayers arrives in Toronto.

Arencibia took the baseball world by storm when he made his debut on Aug. 7 against the Rays. The 24-year-old homered on the first pitch he saw from Tampa Bay starter James Shields. Before the day was over, Arencibia would add another home run and finished the game 4-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. He became just the fifth player in Major League history to hit two home runs in his first game, and the 107th to record a home run in his first at-bat.

The 23-year-old Drabek made his long-anticipated debut the following month. The prized asset the Blue Jays received from the Phillies for Halladay made three starts, going 0-3 but posting a respectable 4.76 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 17 innings. The two players have the potential to become fixtures on the Blue Jays’ roster for a long time.

4. The Anthopoulos era began, as the 33-year-old general manager embarks on his quest to build the Blue Jays into a contending team.

Anthopoulos enjoyed an unblemished record during his rookie season, as almost all of his major moves resulted in huge dividends. Morrow established himself as a future No. 1 starter, John Buck (.281, 20 home runs, 66 RBIs) enjoyed an All-Star campaign and Anthopoulos traded Alex Gonzalez to the Braves for promising shortstop Yunel Escobar (.275, four home runs, 16 RBIs in 60 games with Toronto).

The Blue Jays GM also focused on a long-term plan to rebuild his club’s Minor League system. He heavily invested in scouting and rebuilt the organization’s ties with Latin America. Anthopoulos infused the farm system with players such as with Adeiny Hechavarria, Anthony Gose, Deck McGuire and Brett Lawrie, all of whom now rank in the organization’s list of Top 10 prospects. It was a remarkable turnaround for a system that seemed bare just 12 months ago.

3. Gaston officially retires after a total of 12 years as skipper of the Blue Jays.

Gaston retired from his on-field duties after the Blue Jays closed out the 2010 campaign with a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Oct. 3. The 66-year-old will always be remembered for leading the Blue Jays to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992-93 and becoming the first African American manager to accomplish such a feat.

Toronto paid tribute to the man who owns the franchise record for most wins (913) during his final home game on Sept. 29. Dozens of former players participated in an on-field ceremony that also included a video tribute from Gaston’s good friends Hank Aaron and Bobby Cox. The moment even brought tears from the usually stoic Gaston.

2. Young starting staff begins life without Halladay.

Toronto’s starting staff was supposed to take a major step back in 2010, but somebody forgot to tell that to the pitchers. Marcum, Romero, Morrow and Cecil kept the Blue Jays in games all season and were the main force behind the club’s surprising success.

Morrow received most of the attention after going 7-3 with a 3.46 ERA and 119 strikeouts over his final 17 appearances. On Aug. 8, the 26-year-old came within one out of a no-hitter while recording 17 strikeouts against the Rays in arguably the most dominating performance ever by a Blue Jays pitcher.

Not to be lost in the shuffle were the seasons enjoyed by Romero and Cecil. Both starters combined to win 29 games in their first full season in the big leagues.

1. Bautista breaks the franchise record for most home runs in a single season.

Bautista’s breakout campaign was the biggest storyline of the season for the Blue Jays. The 30-year-old entered 2010 having never hit more than 16 home runs in a season. He surpassed that mark by early June, and on Sept. 17, he broke George Bell’s franchise record (47).

Bautista finished the season with 54 homers and 124 RBIs. For his efforts, he earned a Silver Slugger and received the Hank Aaron Award, which is given to the top offensive performer in each league. Not bad for a guy who began the season as the club’s leadoff hitter.

Octavio Dotel.

BY WEB STAFF
sportsnet.ca

The Toronto Blue Jays are close to agreeing on a one-year contract with free agent reliever Octavio Dotel, according to an ESPN Deportes report.

The report cites a “source with knowledge of the negotiations” and suggests the deal would be almost identical to Dotel’s $3.2 million base salary in 2010, with nearly half a million in performance-based incentives.

“We only need some minor details to complete the deal,” the source told ESPN.

In 2010 the 37-year-old Dotel struck out 75 batters in 64 innings with 22 saves and a 4.08 ERA with Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Colorado.

The report suggests the chance to possibly close games with Toronto is a factor in his interest with the Blue Jays.

Reliever Octavio Dotel(notes) has been in the league for a dozen seasons and the 37-year-old has played for 10 teams. Now he appears close to adding an 11th to his resume.

ESPN Deportes has it that Dotel is close to signing a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays worth $3.5 million.

But Sports Illustrated notes that the deal hasn’t been completed and that the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, and some other teams are still in the mix.

Dotel had 22 saves and a 4.08 ERA last season with stints with the Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Colorado Rockies. In 64 innings, he struck out 75 batters. He’s got a career ERA of 3.75 and record of 49-43.

What are you waiting for? Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: ESPN DeportesESPN

Related: Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays

Reliever Octavio Dotel(notes) has been in the league for a dozen seasons and the 37-year-old has played for 10 teams. Now he appears close to adding an 11th to his resume.

ESPN Deportes has it that Dotel is close to signing a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays worth $3.5 million.

But Sports Illustrated notes that the deal hasn’t been completed and that the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, and some other teams are still in the mix.

Dotel had 22 saves and a 4.08 ERA last season with stints with the Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Colorado Rockies. In 64 innings, he struck out 75 batters. He’s got a career ERA of 3.75 and record of 49-43.

What are you waiting for? Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: ESPN DeportesESPN

Related: Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays

ORLANDO — Reliever Octavio Dotel and the Toronto Blue Jays are close to agreeing on a one-year contract, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said Sunday.

The deal would be almost identical to Dotel’s $3.2 million base salary in 2010, with nearly half a million in performance-based incentives.

Dotel

“We only need some minor details to complete the deal,” the source said.

Dotel, 37, had 22 saves and a 4.08 ERA in time with Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Colorado in 2010. He struck out 75 batters in 64 innings, while walking 32 and allowing 52 hits.

The right-hander is 49-43, with a 3.75 ERA and 105 saves in his 12-year MLB career.

In Toronto, Dotel could get a chance to be a closer, a factor that led him to more seriously consider the Blue Jays’ offer over others from Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, the source said.

Enrique Rojas is a reporter and columnist for ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN.com.

« MLBTR Originals: 12/19/10 – 12/26/10 | Main | This Date In Transactions History: December 26th »

By Mike Axisa [December 26, 2010 at 6:15pm CST]

The Blue Jays and Octavio Dotel are on the verge of agreeing to a one-year contract, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. The deal will be “almost identical” to the $3.2MM he earned in 2010, including another $500K in incentives.

Although Jason Frasor will return after accepting arbitration, the Jays still lost late-inning relievers Scott Downs and (presumably) Kevin Gregg to free agency. Dotel, 37, gives them a veteran arm with closing experience. He pitched to a 4.08 ERA with 10.5 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 for the Pirates, Dodgers, and Rockies last season. Dotel’s trademark velocity is declining but still well above 90 mph, and over the last four seasons he owns an impressive 11.4 K/9. Only Carlos Marmol, Jonathan Broxton, and Billy Wagner top that. 

The Pirates and Rays also had interest in Dotel, who is represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council. The Rockies will receive a supplemental first round draft pick as compensation for losing the right-hander, who was a Type-B free agent. Toronto will be Dotel’s 11th big league team, amazingly enough.

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays signed speedy outfielder Corey Patterson and five other players to minor-league contracts Tuesday with invitations to spring training.

Patterson batted .269 with eight homers, 32 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 90 games for the Baltimore Orioles last season. He’s hit .253 with 112 homers in his 11-year career.

He’ll likely compete for a backup role in the outfield.

Right-handers Winston Abreu and Brian Stokes, lefties Sean Henn and Mike Hinckley, and catcher Ryan Budde were also signed to compete for jobs and boost the organization’s depth.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed veteran outfielder Corey Patterson and five others to minor-league contracts with invitations to spring training on Tuesday.

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) – The Toronto Blue Jays signed veteran outfielder Corey Patterson and five others to minor-league contracts with invitations to spring training on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old Patterson appeared in 90 games for Baltimore last season and hit .269 with eight homers and 32 runs batted in. Over his 11-year career, he is a .253 hitter with 112 home runs, 395 RBI and 205 stolen bases in 1,097 contests.

Toronto also agreed to terms with left-handed pitchers Sean Henn and Mike Hinckley, along with right-handers Brian Stokes, Winston Abreu and catcher Ryan Budde.

© 2010 The Sports Network

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays signed speedy outfielder Corey Patterson and five other players to minor-league contracts Tuesday with invitations to spring training.

Patterson batted .269 with eight homers, 32 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 90 games for the Baltimore Orioles last season. He’s hit .253 with 112 homers in his 11-year career.

He’ll likely compete for a backup role in the outfield.

Right-handers Winston Abreu and Brian Stokes, lefties Sean Henn and Mike Hinckley, and catcher Ryan Budde were also signed to compete for jobs and boost the organization’s depth.