Dotel A Dodger

Octavio Dotel joined the clubhouse procession today as he was sent to LA with $500K for RHP James McDonald and OF Andrew Lambo.

McDonald, 25, was used mostly out of the pen by the Dodgers. He was the Dodgers 2007 and 2008 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, but went 5-6 with a 4.11 ERA over the past three seasons for the Blue. At AAA Albuquerque, he was a starter and had a 6-1 slate with a 4.41 ERA and 57 K in 63-1/3 innings.

He's not a hard thrower, hitting between 89-92 MPH, but has an excellent curve and good change. The question about his future seems to be whether it lies as a starter or from the pen. He's reporting directly to the Pirates.

Andrew Lambo, 21, the Dodgers’ fourth-round selection in the 2007 draft, was one of the organization’s top outfield prospects (and also played a lot of first base), but was suspended for 50 games on May 1st for testing positive, allegedly for weed.

So the left fielder comes with baggage, ala Lastings Milledge. Lambo is hitting .271 with 4 HR and 25 RBI in 198 at-bats at AA Chattanooga, and could be a steal for the Bucs if they can turn him around like they did with LM. Lambo will report to Altoona.