KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -Octavio Dotel picked up his 11th save in 14 chances on Saturday, but he wonders if it could be his last one for the Kansas City Royals.
With the non-waiver trading deadline Tuesday and several contending teams seeking bullpen help, Dotel’s name is being mentioned prominently. Scouts from at least 12 clubs have been in Kansas City for the Royals’ seven-game homestand.
“It is bothering me,” Dotel said Sunday. “I’ve got to be honest. Even though you don’t want to think about that, every day I wake up and turn my phone on, I think it is going to be a call from (general manager) Dayton Moore saying, ‘We traded you for whatever.”’
Dotel missed most of last season while rehabbing from 2005 elbow surgery, but is healthy this year and throwing in the mid-90s. He signed with the Royals as a free agent in December because they offered him a chance to be a closer again.
Dotel would like to remain with the Royals.
“I like the city, I like the players, I like the club,” Dotel said. “I like how they are putting everything together to make up the team, to make a big baseball club like they used to be.”
The bullpen has been a strength for the Royals, and other clubs are also inquiring about relievers David Riske, Zack Greinke and Jimmy Gobble. The Royals are also listening to offers for Gold Glove second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and outfielder Reggie Sanders.
“We’ve not actively called anybody trying to move any of our players,” Moore said. “We’re obviously focused on improving our team. If teams call us and have interest in any of our players, you listen, which I think is a smart way of doing things.”
Moore, who made six trades involving 17 players last July, will likely wait until close to the Tuesday afternoon deadline before making a move.
“Any decision you make that affects your baseball team, you want to be 100 percent sure that you have put forth all the necessary thought to make a good decision,” Moore said. “That is ultimately why a lot of times things go down to the wire.”
The Royals are 27-22 since June 1, but remain in last place in the AL Central. They are looking to upgrade at several positions and bolster their minor league system.
“It will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of days,” Royals manager Buddy Bell said. “There’s a lot of interest out there in a lot of our players, which is good too. That tells you something about the direction of our team, the way we’re going.”
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