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Source: Octavio Dotel, Toronto deal near


ORLANDO -- Reliever Octavio Dotel and the Toronto Blue Jays are close to agreeing on a one-year contract, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said Sunday.

The deal would be almost identical to Dotel's $3.2 million base salary in 2010, with nearly half a million in performance-based incentives.

"We only need some minor details to complete the deal," the source said.

Dotel, 37, had 22 saves and a 4.08 ERA in time with Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Colorado in 2010. He struck out 75 batters in 64 innings, while walking 32 and allowing 52 hits.

The right-hander is 49-43, with a 3.75 ERA and 105 saves in his 12-year MLB career.

In Toronto, Dotel could get a chance to be a closer, a factor that led him to more seriously consider the Blue Jays' offer over others from Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, the source said.

Enrique Rojas is a reporter and columnist for ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN.com.