In 2000, Dotel went 3–7 with 16 saves and a 5.40 ERA in 50 games (16 starts).[8] His role was converted from a starter to a relief pitcher for the Astros, and Dotel began to fill in as closer for an injured Billy Wagner. This season marked the first time in National League history that a pitcher had over 15 starts and 15 saves (the only other season in MLB history came in the American League in 1999 when Tim Wakefield won six games in 17 starts and attained 15 saves for the Boston Red Sox).[citation needed]
In 2001, Dotel again began the season as a starter but moved into the bullpen as the setup man for Wagner. Dotel had an excellent season in 2002; he led all relievers with 118 strikeouts and helped secure a well-reputed bullpen for the Astros at that time. By 2003, Dotel and Wagner were joined by future Astros closer Brad Lidge and all three partook in a historic event in which six Astros pitchers combined for a no-hitter against the New York Yankees on June 11, 2003.[9][10]
After the 2003 season, Wagner was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies,[11] and Dotel started 2004 as the closer for the Astros.
Oakland Athletics
On June 24, 2004, Dotel was traded to the Oakland Athletics in a three-team trade that sent Carlos Beltrán to the Astros, minor leaguer Mike Wood, Mark Teahen, and John Buck to the Kansas City Royals.[12] Dotel served as closer for the Athletics and finished the 2004 season with a combined 6–6 record with a 3.69 ERA and a career-high 36 saves (22 for the A's and 14 for the Astros) in 77 relief appearances.[8]
Dotel began 2005 as closer for the Athletics again, but had a rough start and went on the 60-day disabled list on May 21.[13] It was later announced on June 2 that he would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season after just 15 games.[14]
New York Yankees
Dotel signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the New York Yankees in December 2005.[15] He missed the first four months of the 2006 season, recovering from his Tommy John surgery. Dotel had a setback after developing tendinitis in his elbow while on a rehab assignment with the Trenton Thunder. This pushed his return into August as he went through another minor league assignment with the Columbus Clippers. Dotel pitched his first game in a Yankees uniform on August 16, coming into the game in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles, facing two batters with one strikeout and one walk.[16] He finished the season playing in 14 games with no record and an ERA of 10.80.[8]
Dotel became a free agent at the end of the 2006 MLB season. On December 8, 2006, he agreed to a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals for $5 million.[17] Dotel made 24 relief appearances to start the season, going 2–1 with 11 saves and a 3.91 ERA.[8]
Atlanta Braves
On July 31, 2007, the Royals traded Dotel to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitcher Kyle Davies.[18] He made his Braves debut on August 1, throwing a scoreless ninth inning in a 12–3 rout of the Astros.[19] On August 10, Dotel was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain.[20] He made his return on September 22 escaping a bases-loaded jam which eventually led to a Braves win. He recorded a 4.70 ERA in nine appearances with the Braves, and he finished the season 2–1 with a 4.11 ERA in 33 combined relief appearances.[8]
Chicago White Sox
On January 21, 2008, Dotel agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.[21]
Pittsburgh Pirates
On January 21, 2010, Dotel agreed to a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, plus bonuses for games finished. The deal also included a club option for 2011 for $4.5 million with a $250,000 buyout.[22][23][24] Dotel started the year as the Pirates closer and stayed the closer until he was traded. He was 2–2 with 21 saves and a 4.28 ERA in 41 relief appearances with the Pirates.[8]
On September 18, 2010, Dotel was traded to the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later.[26] Dotel was ineligible to play on the postseason roster, but it made no difference as Colorado missed the playoffs. Dotel appeared in eight games with the Rockies, going 0–1 with a 5.06 ERA.[8]
Toronto Blue Jays
On December 29, 2010, Dotel agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays with a club option for 2012.[27] He earned his 50th career victory on April 8, 2011, against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Dotel signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers on December 7, 2011.[31] He made his debut for them on April 7, 2012.[32] The Tigers were Dotel's thirteenth major league team, allowing him to pass Matt Stairs, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone for the MLB record of the most teams for which a player played.[33]
I've been all over the place. I've been in every league. Every division, too: West, Central, East. National League – boom, boom, boom. American League – boom, boom, boom.
Dotel made his 700th appearance in a major-league game on April 21, 2012, in the nightcap of a double-header against the Texas Rangers.[34]
Dotel entered the World Series for the second year in a row, but the Tigers lost to the San Francisco Giants in a four-game sweep. On October 30, 2012, the Tigers picked up Dotel's option for the 2013 season.[35]
On April 23, 2013, Dotel was placed on the 15-day DL due to right elbow inflammation.[36] He was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 8.[37]
Retirement
On October 3, 2014, Dotel announced his retirement from professional baseball at the age of 40 after pitching 15 seasons for 13 MLB teams. His career strikeout rate of 10.8 per nine innings is the best in the history of baseball for right-handed pitchers with at least 900 innings pitched.[38]
Pitching style
Dotel mainly threw a four-seam fastball from 90 to 93 mph. He had two breaking balls, mostly used in 2-strike counts: a sweeping slider in the low 80s and a curveball in the upper 70s. The slider was used against right-handed hitters, the curveball against left-handers.[39] He was a strikeout pitcher throughout his career, finishing above 10 strikeouts per 9 innings in 10 full seasons.[8]
Personal life
In November 1993, not long after Dotel signed his first contract with the New York Mets, his father was murdered. Emilio Dotel, 53, entered a taxi cab on his way home from work and was robbed, strangled, and killed. His body was found a day later 5 miles (8.0 km) from his house in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Emilio Dotel and his wife, Maria Magdalena Dotel, had three sons and two daughters.[40]
In August 2019, Dotel was arrested on charges related to a drug trafficking and money laundering operation, while Luis Castillo was cited for related charges.[43][44][45] Later that month, a judge cleared Dotel and Castillo of the money laundering charges. Dotel still faces a charge for allegedly possessing an illegal weapon at the time of his arrest.[46]
