Jason Motte avoids arbitration with Cardinals, signs two-year deal

The Cardinals and closer Jason Motte have agreed to a two-year deal, worth $12 million. He'll make $4 million for the 2013 season, and $7 million in the 2014 season. It also includes a $1 million signing bonus. The deal also wipes out his final years of arbitration, so he could be a free agent after the 2014 season. Motte was drafted by the Cardinals in the 19th round in the 2003 MLB draft, overall he was pick number 575, out of Iona College. He started off playing catcher, and made the minor league All-Star team, only because of his defense, he couldn't hit well at all. In 2006, Motte converted into a pitcher, that was after breaking his thumb and his batting average dropped.

Motte made the reached the majors in 2008, his first MLB save was against the Cincinnati Reds on September 19th in Cincinnati. He throws a fastball that can reach the upper 90's on the radar gun, and he has devolved a slider, which he's still working on.  Motte became the Cardinals full time closer for the 2012 season, that was after becoming the Cardinals closer during the 2011 players, and help them win their 11th World Series title (and went on 5 for 5 in save opportunities during the 2011 postseason). For his post season career, he's 8 for 8 in save opportunities, after getting three saves during the 2012 post season. During the 2012 post season, Motte would get 42 saves and finish with an era of 2.75, with 86 strikeouts and 17 walks in 72 innings. He had a WHIP of 0.92.

So far for Motte's career his stats are: 17 win - 13 losses, 54 saves, 49 holds, 273 strikeouts, 2.87 era, and a WHIP of 1.07. He's pitched 260 innings during his career, in 282 career games. It's a good deal both of sides, after all Motte wanted $5.5 million. Motte finished the 2012 season tied for the most saves in the Nationals League with Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, both closers had 42 saves. And so far the Cardinals haven't had an arbitration hearing since 1999, that player was then left-handed starting pitcher Darren Oliver. The Cardinals won that arbitration hearing.

If Motte does become a free agent after the 2014 season, the deal at least gives the Cardinals time to find a closer for the future.