ST. LOUIS – Cardinals closer Jason Motte has agreed to a US$1.95 million, one-year contract after helping St. Louis win the World Series.
The 29-year-old reliever was 5-2 with a 2.25 earned-run average and nine saves last season, earning the closer’s role in late August and getting five saves in the post-season. Motte closed out the NL championship series and the World Series.
“Being out there, getting that last out, Yaddy (Molina) looking back at me, down on his knees — it’s one of those things I’ll never forget,” Motte said last week.
The Cardinals have no remaining arbitration-eligible players. St. Louis pitcher Kyle McClellan agreed to a one-year deal last week.
Motte made $435,000 last year. He asked for $2.4 million in arbitration and was offered $1.5 million.
He can earn an additional $75,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 each for 50, 55 and 60 games finished.
Motte had 63 strikeouts in 68 innings last season and a 1.93 ERA after the all-star break. He appeared in 78 games, a franchise record for a right-hander.
