The Closer … Jason Motte avoided arbitration with the Cardinals today after agreeing to a one-year deal.
According to Matthew Leach with MLB.com:
“The deal is worth $1.95 million, according to CBSSports.com, which would be exactly halfway between the figures the two sides submitted in advance of a potential arbitration hearing.
General manager John Mozeliak confirmed that an agreement is in place, but as a matter of policy, the Cardinals do not disclose contract terms. Motte, who emerged as the club’s closer late in 2011, requested $2.4 million when figures were exchanged. The club offered $1.5 million. In his last year prior to arbitration eligibility, Motte made $435,000.”
Motte, 29, pitched in 78 games last season. He was 5-2 with a .225 ERA and nine saves, but made a name for himself as Not-The-Closer during the postseason when he secured five saves for Cards with a 2.19 ERA. While he didn’t earn saves in the appearances, he was on was on the mound for the final outs in the NLCS and World Series victories. Not to shabby for a guy the manager wouldn’t say was the closer!
It may not be exactly what Motte wanted, but it is a nice increase over last season. Hopefully he builds on the success of last season and things keep getting better for our Closer!
Miranda Remaklus is lead St. Louis Cardinals contributor to Aaron Miles’ Fastball. She’s also senior reporter at Aerys Offsides. Follow her on Twitter, @missmiranda.
