The Closer apparently got a pretty nice pay day Tuesday, will avoid arbitration and continue shutting things down in the ninth for the Birds on the Bat.
According to Derek Goold of the Post-Dispatch, the two-year deal is worth $12 million.
Per Goold:
Motte’s agent submitted a request $5.5 million and the Cardinals countered with an offer of $4.5 million.
He’ll make $4 million in the coming season and $7 million in 2014.
According to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, Closer Jason Motte has inked a two-year contract with the Cardinals that will buy out his final two seasons of arbitration-eligibility. At the end of the deal, Motte will be a free agent.
Per Langosch:
By signing Motte for more than the requisite one year, the club receives cost certainty and will not have to go through the arbitration process with Motte again next year. Motte, on the other hand, receives financial security regardless of his 2013 performance.
Motte earned $1.95 million in 2012, which was his first full season as the Cardinals’ closer. He saved a National League-high 42 games and held opponents to a .191 batting average. He is one of only four Cardinals to ever reach that 40-save plateau.
Langosch reported the Cardinals announced the agreement on Tuesday afternoon and will turn their attention to finalizing 2013 contracts with David Freese and Marc Rzepczynski, the club’s two arbitration-eligible players who remain unsigned.
Miranda is a contributor to Aaron Miles’ Fastball and is lead writer for Aerys Offsides. Follow her on Twitter, @missmrianda.
