Jul

Octavio Dotel trade Rumors: Does the closer want to leave the Pittsburgh Pirates?

By Allan

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says Pittsburgh Pirates closer Octavio Dotel appears to be the most likely player the team could trade by the July 31st trade deadline, but Kovacevic wonders if Dotel will want to go.

The Pirates are not known to be shopping any relievers, and Dotel has an affordable option for $4.5 million for the 2011 season. Dotel also has no desire to leave Pittsburgh.

“Yes, no question about it. I like it here,” Dotel said. “But I want to have more winning games. The past month, it wasn’t that good for us.”

“I’ll be honest with you: I don’t want to be over here if we’re going to play that way. Not just here. Anywhere. I don’t want to be anywhere to play that kind of baseball. But if we’re playing close games and fighting and trying hard like this week, yeah, of course, I want to be here. I love this town. I love this ballpark. It’s good for me as a pitcher.”

The 36-year-old pitcher has converted 18 saves in 21 opportunities and has a 4.41 ERA in 32 2/3 innings.

“I just feel good that we’re back to playing well as a team, and I’m glad that I’m doing my job,” Dotel said. “That’s the reason they brought me here, and the reason I came is to prove to myself that I can do this job. Neal [Huntington] and the Pirates believed in me, and I appreciate that.”

As for trade talk: “I just don’t want to hear any of it, how I’m going here or there. If the day comes, OK. But I don’t want to be hearing about it.”

Categories : trades