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DOTEL, OCTAVIO


Nickname:	N/A	Position:	P
Home:	Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic	Team:	DODGERS
Height:	6' 0"	Bats:	R
Weight:	210	Throws:	R
DOB:	11/25/1975	Agent:	Dan Horwits
Birth City:	Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic	Draft:	1993 - Mets - Free agent
Uniform #:	26		1993 - Mets - Free agent

YR	LEA	TEAM	SAL(K)	G	IP	H	SO	BB	GS	CG	SHO	SV	W	L	OBA	ERA
1993	DOM	Summer Lg.		15	59	46	48	38	11			0	6	2		4.10
1994	DOM	Summer Lg.		15	81	84	95	31	14			0	5	0		4.32
1995	GCL	Mets		13	74	48	86	17	12			0	7	4		2.18
1995	FSL	ST. LUCIE		3	8	10	9	4	0	0	0	0	1	0		5.63
1996	SAL	COLUMBIA		22	115	89	142	49	19	0	0	0	11	3		3.59
1997	FSL	ST. LUCIE		9	50	44	39	23	8	1		0	5	2		2.52
1997	EL	BINGHAMTON		12	56	66	40	38	12	0	0	0	3	4		5.98
1998	EL	BINGHAMTON		10	69	41	82	24	10	2		0	4	2		1.97
1998	IL	NORFOLK		17	99	82	118	43	16	1		0	8	6		3.45
1999	NL	METS	$200.00	19	85	69	85	49	14	0	0	0	8	3		5.38
1999	IL	NORFOLK		13	70	52	90	34	13	1		0	5	2		3.84
2000	NL	ASTROS	$240.00	50	125	127	142	61	16	0	0	16	3	7		5.40
2001	NL	ASTROS	$305.00	61	105	79	145	47	4	0	0	0	7	5		2.66
2002	NL	ASTROS	$435.00	83	97	58	118	27	0	0	0	6	6	4		1.85
2003	NL	ASTROS	$1,600.00	76	87	53	97	31	0	0	0	4	6	4		2.48
2004	NL	ASTROS	$2,800.00	32	35	27	50	15	0	0	0	14	0	4		3.12
2004	AL	ATHLETICS		45	51	41	72	18	0	0	0	22	6	2		4.09
2005	AL	ATHLETICS	$4,750.00	15	15	10	16	11	0	0	0	7	1	2		3.52
2006	AL	YANKEES	$2,250.00	14	10	18	7	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.383	10.80
2006	IL	COLUMBUS		5	5.1	6	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.286	3.38
2006	FSL	TAMPA		2	2	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.143	0.00
2006	New	STATEN ISLAND		1	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.5	0.00
2006	GCL	GCL-Yankees		3	3	0	6	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
2006	EL	TRENTON		2	2	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.167	0.00
2007	TL	WICHITA		3	3	2	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	1		3.00
2007	AL	ROYALS	$5,000.00	24	23	24	29	11	0	0	0	11	2	1		3.91
2007	NL	BRAVES		9	7.2	5	12	1	0	0	0	0	0	0		4.70
2008	AL	WHITE SOX	$5,000.00	72	67	52	92	29	0	0	0	1	4	4	0.208	3.76
2009	AL	WHITE SOX	$6,000.00	62	62.1	54	75	36	0	0	0	0	3	3	0.239	3.32
2010	NL	PIRATES	$3,250.00	41	40	35	48	17	0	0	0	21	2	2	0.236	4.28
2010	NL	DODGERS		13	12	5	13	9	0	0	0	1	0	1	0.125	3.75
2010	NL	PIRATES	$3,250.00	41	40	35	48	17	0	0	0	21	2	2	0.236	4.28
2010	NL	DODGERS		14	12.1	6	13	10	0	0	0	1	0	1	0.143	4.38

PERSONAL:
Octavio always has a smile on his face and is quick with a joke. Ask him a question and the answer often includes a funny anecdote. On the mound, his demeanor changes from nice guy to one of the more aggressive pitchers in the game. Off the mound, he keeps the clubhouse loose because he is such a funny guy. Dotel's success belies his late start in baseball. First it was basketball until he was eight years old. Then volleyball, a sport he still loves, until 13, when his older brother, Angel, joined the Dodger system. Octavio saw a future in baseball and started to take the game more seriously.	His father was a military man. He was tough, but always had the best interests of his family at heart. Concerned that Octavio was not applying himself to his studies, he considered sending him to a military school. He was hurt when his son didn't finish high school. More disappointing for Octabio is that his Dad never had the chance to see his son pitch in the United States. In 1993, he was mugged and killed in Santo Domingo during his evening shift of driving a cab when Octavio was 18, a loss he carries deep inside. His father was just 53 years old when he was murdered. The three men who strangled Mr. Dotel were eventually caught.

When the Mets offered to sign him, Dotel accepted the going rate of $3,000 for a Dominican. That upset his brother, who knew he could get a bigger signing bonus if he held out just a short time. Octavio doesn't speak the best English, but he understands everything you say. Dotel is loose. Actually, he is double-jointed, which really accounts for much of his ability. But it may also preclude injury because of instability in his shoulder and elbow. Former Astro ace pitcher Jose Lima took his fellow-countrman Dotel under his wing in 2000 spring training. So Octavio kind of took Lima's place when he moved on to the Tigers. Both enjoy singing merengue music. Octavio also entertains his teammates by dancing to the music that comes over the loudspeaker. "I do something different every time. I am spontaneous," he says.	Octavio dazzles his teammates with his colorful, tight outfits on road trips. Dotel walks with his feet all splayed out when he walks, so some of his teammates dubbed him "Pato," which is Spanish for "duck." Dotel heckles fans from the bullpen during games, entertaining his teammates. His enthusiasm makes him popular with his teammates. Jeff Bagwell calls him "the world's oldest 12-year-old." "He's a real personable guy, so I think anybody who spends some time with him is going to like him," A's bullpen coach Bob Geren said. "He's very confident, but he's not cocky. He's just upbeat and relaxed. He fits in real well." To illustrate his point, Geren noted that most don't go to the bullpen until the sixth or seventh inning. Dotel joins the crew in the third or fourth. "He just likes being with the guys," Geren said. "And he really seems to enjoy the fans out there, too. He's always talking to them, making people laugh. He's quickly becoming a fan favorite everywhere we go." "Octavio's a funny guy," adds fellow reliever Chad Bradford. "He's intense about what he does when he has to be, but he definitely likes to have fun." (Mychael Urban-MLB.com-7/30/04)

In 2005 while rehabbing in Atlanta from his Tommy John surgery, Octavio dreamed of one day playing for the Braves. In fact he credits that dream for keeeping him motivated through the difficult recovery. July 31, 2007, Dotel was acquired by the Braves. "I talked to them in the (2006) offseason, but nothing came through," Dotel said. "Now I can say my dream comes true. I've always wanted to play for this club. I like all the good players they have here and all their years of winning." Octavio is a fun-loving clubhouse prankster. "I do a lot of crazy stuff because I want people to know you have to enjoy the game," Dotel said. "You can't put too much pressure on yourself when you play this game. The only time you need to feel pressure is when you are on the playing field."	Dotel admits he used to get very excitable on the mound but has calmed down considerably with age. Dotel said spending the 2006 season with the Yankees and being around closer Mariano Rivera on a daily basis helped he learned to be mentally tough in difficult situations. They remain friends and work out together in the offseason "The game can be on the line and he's just relaxed like nothing's going on, nothing's going to happen. He's just going to go out there and get 1-2-3 out and that's it. When you see a guy like that, who's been doing the same thing for so many years, you have to learn something from that guy." (Karen Price-Pittsburgh Tribune Review-4/10/10) TRANSACTION REPORT

December 23, 1999: The Astros sent P Mike Hampton and OF Derek Bell to the Mets to acquire Dotel, OF Roger Cedeno and P Kyle Kessel. June 24, 2004: In a three-way trade, the Royals sent OF Carlos Beltran to the Astros, acquiring C John Buck and Dotel and cash. Then, the Royals sent Dotel and cash to the Oakland A's for Wood and third baseman Mark Teahen. January 18, 2005: Dotel signed a one-year pact for $4.75 million. He will receive $50,000 in incentives for making the All-Star team or winning a Gold Glove. He will earn $100,000 in incentives for a World Series Most Valuable Player or Cy Young Award and $150,000 if he wins the Rolaids Relief award.	December 29, 2005: Dotel signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Yankees. Because of incentives, based on appearances, the deal could be worth as much as $3 million. December 8, 2006: Octavio signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Royals, becoming their closer in 2007. July 31, 2007: The Braves sent P Kyle Davies to the Royals, acquiring Dotel. November 7, 2007: Dotel declined a $5.5 million mutual option from the pact he signed with the Royals, leaving the Braves to become a free agent. (The Braves probably would've declined if Octavio hadn't, not wishing to pay such a high salary for an injury-plagued setup man.)

January 21, 2008: Octavio signed a 2-year, $11 million contract with the White Sox. November 9, 2009: Dotel filed for free agency. January 21, 2010: Octavio signed a one-year contract with the Pirates. July 31, 2010: The Dodgers sent reliever James McDonald and OF Andrew Lambo to the Pirates, acquiring Dotel.

PITCHING:
Octavio is a ground ball pitcher. He is a drop-and-drive pitcher�with an unorthodox sidearm delivery. But at times he dips too low and the ball sails high and wide. When he is on with his delivery, he finishes his delivery dropping down low and stretched out, driving and slinging the ball to the plate with power from his legs. He has a long backward movement with his arm, then just rears back and slings the ball rubber-band style. Dotel can be dominant, but he is also inconsistent. Dotel's wicked, rising FASTBALL is hitting 93-96 mph, peaking out at 98 mph. His two-seam fastball moves pretty well, with a sinking action. His hard, biting SLIDER is more of a dropper than a breaker. But it is a sharp pitch. He will throw it anytime in the count, and even throw three or four in a row, and to lefthanded batters, dropping it over the outside corner of the plate. He has a decent, hard CURVEBALL that he has trouble controlling some nights because the break is so big. But it absolutely will freeze a hitter looking for his heater. Octavio's CHANGEUP is a CIRCLE-CHANGE. But it doesn't have much movement. The Mets taught him this pitch and wanted him to use it more often. But Dotel is not confident he can throw it for strikes.	He hides the ball from the hitter and throws inside effectively. He is competitive and doesn't mind hitting a batter. In 2000, Dotel didn't have a real good season with the Astros. As a starter, he would do well the first three or four innings, then get banged around his second or third time through the batting order. When he was used as a closer to replace the injured Billy Wagner, Dotel had mixed results and said he hated the job. So from 2001 through 2003, he was mostly a setup man, where he pitched well. He has spells where he just seems unable to throw a strike.

One minor league manager said, "Dotel's conveniently wild. He'll throw two on the black and then one at your head. Not on purpose�he'd just let it go and that's where it would end up." The 2002 season was the first time he had pitched exclusively in relief. But he did a great job as the setup man for Billy Wagner in 2003, and was healthy. In 2003, there was concern about Dotel's Major League-leading 97 1/3 relief innings in 2002. (This after topping 100 innings the previous two years as he gradually made the conversion from starter to reliever.) In 2003, Dotel was the Astros' primary setup man.	On April 9, 2003, Ocavio allowed a home run for the first time since June 20, 2002�a span of 49 appearances and 56 innings. In 2003, Octavio led the Major Leagues with 33 holds, four better than runner-up Brendan Donnelly, while limiting opposing hitters to a .172 batting average. Billy Wagner taught Dotel everything he needs to be the closer for the Astros. And Octavio is appreciative. "In a way, I feel bad that Billy was traded after sharing the same locker for four years," said Dotel, who will assume the closer's role. "Now I can't wait to get ready for May. I have to be ready for the start of April. Billy would tell me, `If you want to be a closer, you have to be ready for April.' You know I wanted to be a closer, and at least the Astros are giving me that chance." BREAKDOWN VS. LEFTIES AND RIGHTIES

In 2001, this righty pitcher held righthanded hitters to a .178 average; lefties managed only a .238 mark. In 2003, Dotel gave up a .152 average with 3 home runs in 38 at-bats vs. lefthanded batters. And .186 with 6 home runs in 49 innings vs. righthanded hitters. In 2004, the righty pitcher Dotel allowed a .245 average with 9 home runs in 42 innings to lefthanded hitters, but only a .188 average with 4 homers in 43 innings vs. righthanded hitters. He had 36 saves in 45 opportunities while splitting time with the Astros and A's in 2004, striking out 122 in 85 1/3 innings, but had a tendency to blow leads in spectacular fashion. In 2007, Octavio allowed lefthanded batters a .265 average with one home run in 50 at-bats, and righthanded hitters hit .225 with 3 home runs in 71 at-bats.	In 2008, lefthanded hitters had a .240 average with 4 home runs in 75 at-bats off Dotel, while he shut down righthanded batters, who hit .194 with 8 home runs in 175 at-bats. In 2009, Octavio allowed a .268 average with 5 home runs in 71 at-bats vs. lefthanded batters, while righthanded hitters only hit .226 with just 2 homers in 155 at-bats. In his career, as of the 2010 season, Dotel had a record of 46-39 with a 3.73 ERA. He had allowed 99 home runs and 617 hits in 770 innings.

FIELDING:
Octavio does little to stop runners. He needs to hide the ball a little better and quicken his delivery to the plate with runners on base. Dotel is not a good fielding pitcher. He is a poor hitter, but can lay down a bunt.

CAREER INJURY REPORT:
July 1996: Sidelined with a strained shoulder. He dislocated it while attempting to make a throw home on a fielding play. April 2000: Dotel strained a muscle. May 20, 2005: Octavio was on the D.L. with a strained right elbow. He ended up having Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery early in June. April 1-August 16, 2006: Dotel started the season on the D.L., recovering from his Tommy John surgery. In June, when he was rehabbing with the Columbus Clippers, he came down with tendinitis in that right elbow. March 30-May 22, 2007: Octavio was on the D.L. with a strained left oblique muscle. August 10, 2007: Dotel was on the D.L. with a right shoulder strain. "It's not like a dangerous injury," Dotel said. "It's a muscle strain. But it doesn't let me do what I like to do."