Dotel provides mound presence for Sox
Last winter, the White Sox tried beefing up their worn-down bullpen with a group of young, hard-throwing arms.
The strategy looked good early in the 2007 season, when youngsters such as David Aardsma, Nick Masset and Andrew Sisco performed well while helping Sox relievers go 7-3 with a 3.29 ERA through the opening 28 games.
Instead of building on the momentum, the bullpen broke down and never recovered.
Outside of closer Bobby Jenks, there wasn't a reliable arm to be found until the season was hopelessly out of reach in September.
Obviously intent on taking a different course this winter, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams signed veteran setup man Scott Linebrink to a four-year, $19 million contract in late November.
On Tuesday, Williams made another big investment in an established reliever, signing 34-year-old Octavio Dotel to a two-year, $11 million contract.
To clear a roster spot for Dotel, the Sox designated Aardsma for assignment. They've already dumped other ineffective relief pitchers from 2007, including Ryan Bukvich, Bret Prinz and Mike Myers, while sending Masset, Sisco and Dewon Day to the minor leagues.
With spring training opening Feb. 15, the Sox now have Linebrink and Dotel setting up Jenks. They also are hoping two other veterans -- Matt Thornton and Mike MacDougal -- bounce back from disappointing seasons.
"What happened (in 2007), I don't think it's going to happen this year,'' Dotel said. "To have me and Linebrink, that's going to be a big key for the bullpen.''
That's not to say there aren't concerns with both of the White Sox' new relievers.
Linebrink was 3-5 with a 5.23 ERA in 33 games split between the San Diego Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers during the second half of last season.
Dotel, meanwhile, combined to go 2-1 with 15 saves and a 4.11 ERA in 33 games with the Kansas City Royals and the Atlanta Braves.
While he is one of the hardest-throwing relievers in the game and has 82 saves over his nine-year career, Dotel had elbow surgery in 2005 and had shoulder and triceps soreness last season.
Before signing the free agent, the White Sox put Dotel through a battery of tests. Williams said the right-hander "passed with flying colors.''
"If you can assess he will be healthy and return to normal production, then money is secondary to getting the team the best it can possibly be,'' Williams added.
Dating to 1957, Dotel ranks fifth among major-league relievers with an average of 11.7 strikeouts per 9 innings.
Speaking from his native Dominican Republic on Tuesday, Dotel said he chose the Sox over several other suitors, including the Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees and Mets and Baltimore Orioles.
Normally a closer, Dotel said his role with the Sox is not a major issue.
"I'll be OK setting up for Jenks,'' Dotel said. "He's one of the best closers in the league. There are going to be some days when he's not available to close, and I'll be there.''
*The White Sox also officially announced the signing of infielder/outfielder Alexei Ramirez on Tuesday.
Ramirez, 26, agreed to a four-year, $4.75 million contract with the Sox after playing seven seasons with Pinar del Rio in the Cuban League. Ramirez batted .335 with 20 home runs and 68 RBI last season.
Williams said Ramirez prefers playing shortstop, but he could end up in either center field or at second base for the White Sox.
"He's another good young player,'' Williams said. "To get the best out of someone, you eventually have to lock him in. But I don't know if we will lock him in during spring training, if he makes the club.''