Tigers to Target Dotel

The Tigers have been one of the more active teams this off-season.  they've re-signed closer Todd Jones, and have acquired both Edgar Renteria and Jacque Jones, via trade.  With is still early in the off-season, the Tigers aren't done yet.  focusing on improving the bullpen, the Tigers are targeted relief pitcher, Octavio Dotel.

Dotel was a target prior to last season's trade deadline, but instead was shipped to the Atlanta Braves.  Dotel was effective last season, despite a 4.11 ERA.  He struck out 41 in 30 innings, while only walking 12.

Dotel has 82 career saves and a career 3.76 ERA in nine seasons with the Mets, Astros, Athletics, Yankees, Royals, and Braves.  The biggest concern with Dotel is his ability to stay healthy.  He hasn't pitched more then 33 games in a season since 2004.  He had Tommy John surgery in 2005, and has been on the DL three times since then.

The Tigers bullpen was their downfall last season.  Joel Zumaya was hurt a majority of the year and Jason Grilli, Macay McBride, Jose Capallan, and Jose Mesa (who was released after 16 disaterous appearances), were unable to get the job done.  With Zumaya out for the 2008 season with his own arm injury, the Tigers will need to replace him with another relable bullpen arm.  The question is, how relable is Dotel's arm?