Boltdiehard
11-01-2005, 05:24 PM
Octavio Dotel was among the first group of players to declare free agency on Thursday. The A's now have 15 days with exclusive rights to negotiate with their former closer, who had season-ending ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow in early June.
Not only does it appear unlikely that the A's will re-sign Dotel, but it's also unlikely that they will receive a compensation draft pick for losing him to free agency, because they would have to offer him arbitration in order to receive the pick. Coming off major surgery, he'd be too much of a risk to take to arbitration, where he'd still gain a hefty salary after making $4.75 million in 2005.
"I don't think Oakland is going to call,'' Dotel said by phone from Atlanta, where he is rehabbing his elbow. "They have 15 days to talk to O.D., but they don't even act like they want to call.''
Dotel's agent, Dan Horwits, confirmed that he has not spoken to A's GM Billy Beane about Dotel.
After deciding on surgery, Dotel had offered to play for the A's for free in 2006, but that's not something the Players Association would allow. And there should be plenty of interest in him, because Dotel could be a bargain, especially if offered an incentive-laden contract with an option year, so he can prove he is healthy.
Dotel said on Thursday he is throwing from a distance of 60 feet already, will move to 75 feet next week and will throw off a mound starting in December. He believes he will be completely healthy in time for spring training.
Like Dotel, DH Erubiel Durazo is also coming off elbow surgery and made too much last season ($4.7 million) to consider offering him arbitration, so that's another lost compensation pick for Oakland, which is not expected to bring Durazo back.
The A's are exploring new deals for two other relievers who are eligible for free agency, left-hander Ricardo Rincon and right-hander Jay Witasick.
The team has seven days to decide whether to pick up Scott Hatteberg's $2.7 million option for 2006; the A's could buy out the DH's option for $250,000. Beane has been in contact with Hatteberg and there is some possibility the deal might be reworked.
Infielder Keith Ginter, who was taken off the Oakland roster last week, has accepted a minor-league assignment (it was that or declare free agency and forfeit his $1.06 million salary for 2006). If he is not traded, Ginter is expected to be a non-roster invitee this spring.
The A's recognized two of their minor-leaguers on Thursday, naming outfielder Andre Ethier, 23, and pitcher Dallas Braden, 22, the organizational players of the year. Ethier, the Texas League Player of the Year, is currently hitting .378 in the Arizona Fall League. Braden was a combined 15-5 with a 3.52 ERA at Class-A Stockton and Double-A Midland.
Not only does it appear unlikely that the A's will re-sign Dotel, but it's also unlikely that they will receive a compensation draft pick for losing him to free agency, because they would have to offer him arbitration in order to receive the pick. Coming off major surgery, he'd be too much of a risk to take to arbitration, where he'd still gain a hefty salary after making $4.75 million in 2005.
"I don't think Oakland is going to call,'' Dotel said by phone from Atlanta, where he is rehabbing his elbow. "They have 15 days to talk to O.D., but they don't even act like they want to call.''
Dotel's agent, Dan Horwits, confirmed that he has not spoken to A's GM Billy Beane about Dotel.
After deciding on surgery, Dotel had offered to play for the A's for free in 2006, but that's not something the Players Association would allow. And there should be plenty of interest in him, because Dotel could be a bargain, especially if offered an incentive-laden contract with an option year, so he can prove he is healthy.
Dotel said on Thursday he is throwing from a distance of 60 feet already, will move to 75 feet next week and will throw off a mound starting in December. He believes he will be completely healthy in time for spring training.
Like Dotel, DH Erubiel Durazo is also coming off elbow surgery and made too much last season ($4.7 million) to consider offering him arbitration, so that's another lost compensation pick for Oakland, which is not expected to bring Durazo back.
The A's are exploring new deals for two other relievers who are eligible for free agency, left-hander Ricardo Rincon and right-hander Jay Witasick.
The team has seven days to decide whether to pick up Scott Hatteberg's $2.7 million option for 2006; the A's could buy out the DH's option for $250,000. Beane has been in contact with Hatteberg and there is some possibility the deal might be reworked.
Infielder Keith Ginter, who was taken off the Oakland roster last week, has accepted a minor-league assignment (it was that or declare free agency and forfeit his $1.06 million salary for 2006). If he is not traded, Ginter is expected to be a non-roster invitee this spring.
The A's recognized two of their minor-leaguers on Thursday, naming outfielder Andre Ethier, 23, and pitcher Dallas Braden, 22, the organizational players of the year. Ethier, the Texas League Player of the Year, is currently hitting .378 in the Arizona Fall League. Braden was a combined 15-5 with a 3.52 ERA at Class-A Stockton and Double-A Midland.