Major League Mongering: Octavio Dotel To Work On Tomahawk Chop

Major League Mongering will look at players rumored to be on the move between now and the July 31st pseudo-trade-deadline.

If you thought the Braves were finished after landing Mark Teixeira from the Rangers yesterday, you were wrong. Dead wrong. Sources are saying that not only have the Braves landed the best hitter available, they're also on the verge of acquiring one of the best relievers available.

In addition to reaching a preliminary agreement for Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira, the Braves are close to a deal for Royals closer Octavio Dotel, according to major-league sources.

In exchange for Dotel, the Royals would receive right-hander Kyle Davies, according to the Kansas City Star. Davies, 23, is 0-1 with a 4.50 in two starts for Class AAA Richmond after going 4-8 with a 5.76 ERA in 17 starts with the Braves.

The deal isn't official yet, but it's likely going to be soon. Apparently both teams have already agreed to it, but the Braves are waiting until they finalize the deal for Teixeira before making this one official.

If this deal does go through, I think that the Braves will have cemented their status as the biggest winner of this season's trade deadline. Not only have they added a huge bat to the lineup that also provides insurance in case Andruw Jones leaves, they've also gotten a lefty reliever they sorely needed, and now one of the best bullpen arms available.

Dotel has converted 11 of his 14 save chances with Kansas City this season, and can help the Braves shorten the game by going to him and Rafael Soriano before getting to Bob Wickman in the ninth.

They may be in third place behind the Mets and Phillies right now, but with these moves I won't be surprised if they're on top of the division come season's end.

As for the Royals, Dotel had talked recently about how he'd like to stay in Kansas City, but it just didn't make sense for the Royals. On a team where money is tight, it's counterproductive to pay veterans a couple of million when you have a younger guy just waiting to take his spot in Joakim Soria. They'll also be getting Davies and the Royals are always in need of starting pitching.

Previously at FanHouse:
Major League Mongering
Deadline Deals
Octavio Dotel Wants To Stay In Kansas Cit