First Manny, now Octavio. The Dodgers released another of their older roster players on Saturday when the Rockies claimed Octavio Dotel off waivers for a player to be named later. The Dodgers aren’t mathematically eliminated from the postseason yet, but it will take a heck of a lot of stumbling around for them to make a playoff push. By this time next week, the Dodgers will be playing rookies and resting veterans; if they have any left, that is.

Dotel was traded to the Dodgers from Pittsburgh at the deadline this year, becoming his ninth team in 12 seasons. In 2010, Dotel has a 3-3 record with a 3.38 ERA and 22 saves, all but one of which came as a Pirate. With Huston Street performing closer duties for the Rockies, Dotel will just become another bullpen option for manager Jim Tracy. Dotel still has a lot he can offer the Rockies, but if they do overcome the Giants and Padres to make the playoffs, Dotel will not be eligible to participate.

This hasn’t turned out to be the season the Dodgers had hoped it would be. Things fell apart from the top down. Dodger owners Frank and Jamie McCourt have been involved in a messy divorce this year and the team has suffered for it. The two cannot even decide which of their children would take ownership of the club after them. In 2008, the two were among the most powerful couples in the country. How the mighty have fallen.

It’s a cleaning of the house for the Dodgers lately. A few weeks ago they let Manny Ramirez go to the White Sox, then earlier this week they announced that manager Joe Torre will step down at the end of the season in favor of Don Mattingly. Add the ugly divorce proceedings and you have one messed up organization in serious need of help. The Dodgers may not be eliminated, but they lost it a long time ago.