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Pitcher Octavio Dotel is closing in on a one-year contract with the New York Yankees, ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick reports.

Octavio Dotel

Relief Pitcher Oakland Athletics Profile

2005 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L BB K ERA 15 1 2 11 16 3.52

The deal would pay Dotel a base salary of $2 million, and could reach $5.25 million with incentives.

Agent Dan Horwits said he spoke by phone with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman several times Tuesday in an attempt to work out the final details.

"It's close to being done, but it's not done yet," Horwits told ESPN.com. "We're still going back and forth just to try to finish up some loose ends. Assuming we can do that, he'll be a Yankee. But he's not a Yankee yet."

Dotrel had 36 saves for Houston and Oakland in 2004 but struggled last season with Oakland, going 1-2 with seven saves and a 3.52 ERA before he went on the disabled list May 20. From April 30 to May 11, he blew four saves in five outings.

Dotel had reconstructive elbow surgery June 6 to repair a torn ligament. He hopes to be pitching by midseason.

"I feel very happy with this contract," Dotel said. "This team has a lot of tradition, and it pleases me to know that they want me to pitch for them."

With the Yankees, he would join several newcomers in the bullpen: right-hander Kyle Farnsworth and left-handers Ron Villone and Mike Myers. New York has struggled to find middle-inning pitchers in recent years, and setup man Tom Gordon left to become the Philadelphia Phillies' closer.

Several teams had sought Dotel, including the crosstown Mets.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.