White Sox 2009: Octavio Dotel

Turns out, it wasn't such a bad deal. At least it was better than expected, mostly because Dotel stayed healthy, which has been a challenge for him. And he pitched pretty well too, just not well enough to live up to the money.

Dotel in finished '09 with a pedestrian 3.76 ERA and too many on or off appearances. He had his good (starting the season with 12+ scoreless innings, striking out 75), but he also issued a walk or a hit in 49 of 62 games. That uncertainty made him better suited for middle relief work.

Not that Dotel wasn't of value -- whenever the bullpen was clicking on all cylinders, Dotel and his live arm was a big part of it -- but Williams and the Sox should be happy they got some production out of Dotel for two years, and barring a bargain, should look elsewhere. The odds of most relievers staying healthy and productive three years straight is slim, let alone one with a past like Dotel. With Bobby Jenks due for a raise in arbitration and Scott Linebrink still under contract, Dotel just doesn't fit financially.