Feb. 19: Motte has passed his physical, as the Cardinals announced the signing this morning.
Feb. 16: The Cardinals have struck a minor-league pact with veteran reliever Jason Motte, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). The agreement is still pending a physical. Chris Cotillo of SB Nation first connected the sides on Twitter.
Motte, 35, rejoins his long-time organization after a three-year hiatus. The former Cards closer has spent time with the Cubs, Rockies, and Braves since the start of 2015.
There’s little question that Motte did not regain his prior form after missing all of 2013 for Tommy John surgery. The converted catcher had posted 192 1/3 innings of 2.43 ERA pitching over the prior three seasons at that point. Since, he has allowed 4.12 earned per nine over 137 2/3 innings, with 6.7 K/9 against 3.1 BB/9.
Motte once averaged about a 12 percent swinging-strike rate and roughly 97 mph heater. Since returning from surgery, Motte has declined precipitously in both regards. He generated whiffs at a marginal 7.6% rate last year and averaged 93.8 mph with his heater.
To be fair, Motte found a way to succeed despite managing only 6.0 K/9 against 4.4 BB/9 in his 40 2/3 innings in 2017. He ended the season with a 3.54 ERA, after all. But there’s little reason to believe that Motte will be able to replicate a .200 batting average on balls in play.
As a Brewers fan I hope he makes the bigs.
As a Cardinals fan I hope Wade Miley does too
As a Cubs fan, it doesn’t matter!
Surprising! Considering how much the brew crew likes to dumpster dive in the St. Louis scrap pile.
It looks like the Cards are trying to recycle, now.
A Cubs fan really shouldn’t speak to that point. Gimme a break! Enjoy Jason Heyward, I’ll take Dex and his contract over that albatross any day.
Cards are just throwing everyone in there and hoping that one sticks.
Motte was actually not too bad last year; he just walked everyone he couldn’t get out. I was sort of surprised to note how good he was in 2012.. Relievers are fungible.
“Walked everyone he couldn’t get out”….Stl had that guy last year; Rosenthal
No, that was just 2016 Rosenthal while he was pitching hurt. 2017 Rosenthal was actually pretty good until his elbow gave out in August.
Bud Norris is related to chuck Norris. So nothing can go wrong. And Luke Gregerson 4 plus era is no concern. The young 34 old has a ton of potential. Who needs lance lynn when you have these superstar players.
That was perfect.
Only one?
Mozeliak and his personnel player selections, outside of Ozuna, becomes more and more suspect every year. At the end of the past 4 seasons, he has been quoted as saying—“We have the money—-and we have the resources to bring top talent to the Cardinals!” It’s time for the Owners to see just how much of their money he has wasted on dumpster Diving over these same past 4 years. It’s time for the Owners to realize the Cardinals organization has been labeled as cheating because of the Houston/St. Louis hacking under Mozeliak’s watch. It’s time for the Owners to step up and Fire Mozeliak!! To Mike Matheney’s Defense, of which I do do often, in 2017 Mozeliak have Mathaney 4 natural second basemen for starters in his infield. Mozeliak said there you go!! Put these 4 players where you want to and let’s get started. At least 3 of those players were playing out of their natural position. That part was not Matheney’s fault. It was Mozeliak’s fault. If the Cardinals have the big bucks, their biggest need is not the players or manager, it’s a need for a new President of Baseball Operations/ General Manager. Not someone within the organization trained by Mozeliak. The Cardinals need a Brian Cashman, Theo Epstein type of President of baseball operations. Mozeliak has already wasted enough on bullpen pitchers, who were cast offs from other teams, to have paid for over half of the money it would have taken to sign Greg Holland. Or, trade for Colome with some prospects who are ready for the majors, but blocked for 2-3 years because of the current Cardinals 25-man roster. Mozeliak depends only on the metrics system. The Cardinals desperately need a new person in Mozeliak’s position who has a full vision of at least a continuing 3 year frame of the future from all perspectives. Not just metrics.
The Metrics system? You’re an idiot! Please change your name!
Thanks Bruce!!! I consider that a compliment coming from you and your elite Wisdom!!
they should consider asking the Twins for Anibal Sanchez
Was this supposed to be funny?
Pretty inexpensive and low risk I guess.
I hope he does stick! Great guy and if he’s healthy, fun to watch pitch!
As a cardinals fan this hurts. They are scraping the bottom looking for help. Hopefully it is just a 1 year deal.
A minor league deal to a reliever who was recently effective hurts?
Yeah, really. I bet people scoffed at the Neshak signing. He was good for the Cards and has been good ever since.
Neshek, not Neshak. Sorry Pat!
Don’t pay attention to these “as a Cardinals fan” comments. Most of them barely follow baseball.
As a Cardinals fan, i disregard most things that are said by Cardinals fans.
What’s baseball?
Same
Right! Toughen up Mike Adkins
Mozeliak & Dewitt forgot the combination to the safe.
Money is not the problem. There’s nothing out there worth spending the money on……I mean there are quality players out there, but there’s nothing that will considerably improve the team out there that’s worth the price. So save it for a trade deadline deal, or next year when there’s gonna be a ton of major free agents available.
I’d argue the one exception is Greg Holland, although in that case the Cards aren’t interested in giving out a 3 or 4 year deal at his current asking price.
Otherwise, your statement is accurate. The Cardinals aren’t going to spend money just to spend money. Although, I’d imagine that they’d be willing to bring back Lynn if his market collapsed to the point that he’d take a one year contract around the value of the qualifying offer he declined.
Facts
Lynn’s market is not going to collapse to a one year deal. So you can just forget that ridiculous notion.
I wasn’t talking about the current options left on the market. I was referring to when the offseason first began.
Even Holland has plenty of question marks! Had a terrible 2nd half last year. He wants way to much money
Ha! I like it ! Wish I would have thought of it!
Safety in numbers! Pitchers are so unreliable and unpredictable, but if you get enough guys you can piece together a good staff.
Is anyone important going to sign? My lord idc about these minor transactions. I’ve never seen an off-season like this where it’s almost spring and the market is still loaded with players.
YES, love this!!!
This is off topic but why are people not paying attention to the Cardinals OF the shedder put Ozuna #1 LF Pham #2 fowler#10
My grand slam was supposed to come with bacon
Probably because the Shredder is always wrong except for Trout and Kershaw, Ozuna deserves top 5 at a weak positon, Pham wont make it through the season without injury, Willie Mays Hays over there in RF got his money he’s gonna chill for 3 more years.
4 years unfortunately
He will try in his 4th year… Try for 1 more contract.
yeah, that makes sense.
You sure about it being “wrong” it goes into every single stat you don’t even know exist and it compares them to other players. Try again with it being “wrong”.
does it look at defense? because while he was 22% above average in hitting, he is a huge liability in the field.
It also has Hosmer as one of the lowest defensive 1B. I watched 75 Royals games and 323 games total. Nobody plays the positon better. Eyes before PC
Just one position RF
2017 1-Betts, 2-Harper, 3-Stanton, 4-Calhoun, 5-Polanco, 6-Pence, 7-Cruz, 8-Martinez, 9-Cargo, 10-Piscotty
WAR 1-Judge. 2-Stanton, 3-Betts, 4-Harper, 5-Springer, 6-Garcia, 7-Souza, 8-Reddick, 9-Santana, 10-Puig
I’m glad it uses stats I have never heard of before. I can see now that it still WRONG!
hm? I don’t see any point of what you typed
That explains it all… move on
There are a lot better 1B than Hosmer! Goldy! Freeman! Rizzo! Bird ! Smoak! Plus a few more also!
Votto
lol…you’re blind, thw….right
Remember when the shredder said that Justin Turner was good, and shouldn’t be ignored?
That’s when he was a Met
2011 had him #5 2012 and 2013 had him unranked. I don’t know if he was injured but I can definitely see them saying that.
Fowler played with injuries last year. He should be much better this season
Yea but I’m not sure he’s healthy. They talked about bone spurs causing leg injuries, but its fairly common that muscle and tendon issues actually cause bone spurs. So these overall issues probavly arent going away.
A couole other fowler thoughts:
Cardinals fans are way too tough on him. He was a good player offensively, and if they thought he would be an above average CF they were duped by the front office. It’s been obvious that he’s not great defensively for some time now. Also, I feel any time you have 3 former/current centerfielders in the OF at the same time your OF defense will be good. If Pham turns out good in CF it will be one of the best OF in the game.
That’s the truth
Did you just call Dexter Fowler, Willie Mays Hays? WTH is wrong with you, have you even seen the movie? Are you a bigot or an idiot … seems like it has to be one or the other … or it could be both.
A bigot? Dear Lord….
Sure. Why does he have to be Willie Mays Hays? How the hell is Dexter Fowler Willie Mays Hays? Tell me one way he is even remotely like the character other than the obvious.
In year two, Willie mays hays showed up to camp forgetting who he is-he bulked up and tried to be a homerun hitter and ended up hitting a lot of warning track shots. Dexter had a career year in homers so he went home and bulked up thinking he’s now a power hitter. I actually was reminded of Willie Mays Hayes immediately when I read Dexter had bulked up. I’ve also found that racist people tend to assume racism in others-research shows we tend to believe others think as we do. Yes-I have a PhD.
Well touché Mr PhD. However, Dexter hasn’t hit a bunch of warning track shots … yet. I don’t want to be the one defending the Dexter Fowler signing, nevertheless I sure as hell hope he is productive. Even if it is not by topping 20 homers, we need him to be! Better we have this deal than the one we offered Heyward.
Now, I’m the racist? I said bigot not rascist btw. There is a difference! But you should know that because you have the PhD. I was thinking more of Wesley Snipes – Willie and Dex just doesn’t come across like that, so egotistical. It is a stereo type that he used against him which is what bigotry is, not a racist slur.
If you knew who I was, my wife, our family then you would know I’m not a racist. So now, I can say that I have found that just b/c a person has a PhD it doesn’t necessarily mean they know what they are talking about.
Did you think that I would be so blown away by your rebuttal that I would say “wow! This guy must be a PhD” that you had to say “Yes-I have a PhD” lol @ you!
It seemingly doesn’t exempt you from being a braggart, wrong, arrogant, or even a racist. It certainly doesn’t make you less susceptible to the same social ills as the rest of us. Do you know what they say about people who like to intimidate by bragging? They say that they have negative self esteem.
The Shredder had Mike Trout at No.#1
Wow!! Maybe they can sign Todd Worrell or Jason Isringhausen this weekend. Or they could bring back Lonnie Smith or Ray Lankford to help the offense! This organization has become a JOKE! Go Stros
What about Steve Kline Ray King and Todd Wilishit
The organization signs a guy who enjoyed decent results last season to a low risk minor league contract and you compare it to signing guys long retired and call the org a joke. Are you just trolling or do you really think there is some conversational value to your comments?
The issue here is the 40 man roster. Maybe Motte isn’t on it but if he is and there are no other deals in the offing, then another player will have to be exposed. Hard to see how he is an upgrade over Wick.
It’s a minor league deal. He is not on the 40 man.
So was Mujica but they don’t have anything RP at the MLB Level. So better hope none of them get injured. You play a season with more the 12 pitchers!
Ok but why. I completely understand depth, but this is just hoarding low end relievers. This is like the 3rd or 4th minor league deal for a reliever this offseason, outside of Gregerson and Norris. Gregerson and Norris were already questionable, but I defended it because of the statistics. But you have more sure options than 5 or 6 minor leaguers that “might” do it if something happens to anyone in the bullpen. I would’ve been way more supportive of Holland at this point, and I really wasn’t that for it to begin with. I understand really no player is sure, however, its just a fact some are more consistent. Its just getting old.
Hey, Motte was actually pretty decent last year. He’s already much higher on the depth chart than guys like Norris and Mujica.
“What a team what a ride the cardinals are world champs!”
That’s what I think when I hear about motte
I throw up a little bit when I hear Joe Buck’s voice, so thanks for that.
Everybody is going back home this offseason
I like this signing. Good to see Motte again with the team.
Motte replaces Rowan Wick and regains his spot as the catcher-to-pitcher role.
No he doesn’t ! Bud Smith replaced Wick on the roster
and Motte a minor-league contract with a ST invite!
Yes! Motte actually does replace Wick. Wick was designated for assignment when the Cards signed Norris but the Padres claimed him. The organization lost a minor leaguer in Wick and signed his replacement in Motte. Wick has the higher ceiling but Motte has the higher floor, at least right now. What we don’t know is if they would have still signed Motte had they not lost Wick.
Wick was on the 40 man roster
and was DFA and replaced by Norris when he was signed! Motte has a minor-league deal! There’s a difference !
What you don’t understand is that Wick wouldn’t have been replaced unless Norris was signed.
But they replaced Wick with … wait for it … M o t t e.
You know what he meant when he said “he replaces Wick AND regains his spot…” He takes his spot in the organization AND earns a place on the 40 man roster. Calm down bro, it was kind of a petty thing for you to call him out on anyway.
Wait a minute…. No he didn’t ! Wick was already GONE! Norris replaced Wick. Motte was signed to a minors deal a week later!
Boy are you dumb. When St Louis signed Norris they were looking to add a pitcher to the organization. They intended to keep Wick in the organization as depth but they lost him to San Diego. Motte now represents that depth for better or worse. What is so hard to understand?
Look at the story about Rowan Wick! Read what it says ! Exactly what I said ! You’re the dumb ass douche nozzle!
google.com/amp/s/www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basebal…
Says the Cards plan to send Wick to AAA
stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland…
This article relates the two moves
I am aware that St Louis designated Wick for assignment to make room for Norris on the 40 man roster.
If you weren’t such a jerk you would have realized that storeyrl was just saying that Motte is replacing Wick as the Cards current catcher to pitcher reclamation project. A funny little coincidence as St Louis already converted Motte long ago.
Then you come along with all your exclamation points, missing the point. Seriously, what is wrong with you? Not to mention… FACT: The organization lost Wick and signed Motte … both were AAA depth.
cardinals should bring back jocketty and larussa too
He throws 1 pitch
Every time I see this guy’s name I’m reminded that I really like applesauce.
Great addition to a fantastic farm system!
This is a no risk signing for the Cards. Motte was a fan favorite and I hope he makes it
The Cardinals are doing exactly what they were expected to do. Bring in a lot of arms and let them compete for spots. No reason to go out and over pay for alright players. This free agent market is slow because players are asking for more than what they are worth and GMs these days are smarter and aren’t willing to over pay for average players
I hope mote makes it he is a class act and a winner is he the guy that helped get a ws no
he is not but he can hello mentor some of our young arms and maybe bring something back an attitude back from a lethargic team that resembles something close to the fall of the Roman empire and as much as I hate seeing the Cubs wining and being the new standard and well frankly deserve it I hope they can keep doing real good and make a lot of the postseason around just so they light up fire under the cards backside to me baby actually put a competitive ball team on the field and not the illusion of one don’t give me wrong I’m a diehard Cardinals fan but I’m not gonna wear the rose colored glasses and pretend this team is one of the greatest teams ever to hit the field we are mediocre team at best and I think ESPN had arrived at 10 we’re barely above 500 team until we get her act gather I can’t be at the mad at the Cubs because they’re doing what you need to take to win and it seems like we just kind of slipped and complacency and waiting for the great collapse of the Cubs which I don’t see happening and what should I want to see it but just seems like you’re actually here since 2015 we have taken steps backwards until then until we put a serious effort in competing we don’t even deserve to be in the playoffs and I hope the Cubs keep beating our behinds and then maybe management might get there behind s. in gear
Jeez Us … have you ever heard of a sentence? How about a paragraph? Or punctuation? You could have made a few good points in that word scramble but I wouldn’t know it because it is pretty much unreadable.
Hello Pot! I’m kettle!
That was unfounded. I don’t know what you are referring to exactly. I’m not claiming to be perfect, but c’mon man did you read thier post? It was painful!
Bruce Wayne I do not get your point
It’s a damn blog about baseball ! It’s not a college essay paper that’s being written . So what if he didn’t use the proper punctuation or whatever! Don’t be a pompous ass by calling out people for this petty BS!
He’d have much better success at getting his point across if he used proper punctuation. No, it’s not a college essay paper, but it’s a BLOG, where people WRITE.. It should at least be somewhat legible. SOMEWHAT.
It was hard to follow is all I’m saying.
Periods are your friend.
Thank you.
@nikki29a
Have your mommy get you an English tudor. You can pass 7th grade this year I know you can do it!
Sentences have a thing called the period after it. Several sentences can make a point.
Then you hit the space bar and start a new thing called a paragraph.
No one even read your eyesore rant
That’s true – I did not read it. I could not believe not one single punctuation mark. Wow. That has to be an art.
@One Fan
I read it a few times, it’s a fine read it could help the us reach the goals outside
I love Motte but it’s laughable at this point. The front office is a joke. They vow to be big players, get Ozuna and then sit on their hands. This move is simply damage control. Bringing a guy in that the Cards fans always loved as a masking of the failures they’ve amassed yet again this offseason. They should be ashamed of themselves. Maybe we’ll go out and sign Kent Bottenfield next, or maybe Bob Tewksbury. Maybe Donovon Osborne?
Cardinals are also close to signing Ryan Franklin and Jason Isringhausen to a minor league deal too.
I was thinking too it’s only logical now to bring Franklin and izzy out of retirement. And what about Todd Worrell?
The answer to Darvish has arrived.
When y’all got Ozuna, you acted like you were going to win 120 games.
Well, have fun with that staff.
The Cards and Brewers should combine. The fans of each team deserve each other.
You’d better get to hrrying, though. They are supposedly running away with the divsion.
Ask them, the 4 or so wins they added, at best, and the imminent collapse of Yu, all because he spurned them, is their ticket.
Wait a minute! You guys basically replaced Arrieta
with Darvish. I’d call that incremental improvement at best. True, Arrieta may have already peaked but nevertheless you can’t expect much more out of Darvish than what you had in Arrieta. And tell me again who you replaced Wade Davis with?
Gregerson better than Oh-No
Norris better than Oh-No
Motte better than Oh-No
Cardinals bullpen, oh no…..
Just think about it. The last two signings have been Bud Norris and Jason Motte ….let those sink in. It’s just flat out depressing.