Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday that RHP Jason Motte passed his physical and his one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Cubs was done. Motte’s contract includes a $2.5 million incentives package based on games finished. The Cubs have not announced signing Jason Motte and will have to open a spot on the 40-man roster in order to officially add Motte.
Jason Motte said his good-byes to the Cardinals fans and hello to the Cubs fans on Twitter.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. Thanks to the front office (Theo, Jed, all those that worked behind the scenes), and to my ACES family for making it happen. My family and I are excited about the new opportunities, on and off the field, to make an impact in this great city. See you in AZ in February! Oh yea, #GoCubsGo.”
The Cardinals selected Jason Motte in the 19th round of the 2003 draft as a catcher. Motte was converted to a pitcher in 2006 and was Tony LaRussa’s closer for St. Louis in 2011 when the Cardinals won the World Series. Motte wasn’t officially named the team’s closer until after the series and just before LaRussa announced his retirement.
According to Bruce Levine, Jason Motte was in Chicago taking a physical while Jon Lester was being introduced. Motte is represented by the same agents as Lester, the Levinson brothers.
Jason Motte could push Hector Rondon according to Bruce Levine, if his velocity is back. Rondon has been very good in the ninth inning, but has yet to close out a game for a Cubs team that is competing for a division crown.
The Cubs have not announced signing Jason Motte or the corresponding roster move to create a spot on the 40-man roster.
Jason Motte signing with the Cubs brought back memories of the statement Ryan Theriot made when he ended up in St. Louis.
Wesley Wright
According to a report from Roch Kubatko, LHP Wesley Wright has agreed to terms with the Orioles on a one-year contract. The Cubs non-tendered Wright on Dec. 2 and made the veteran lefty a free agent.
Wright made 58 appearances out of Rick Renteria’s bullpen last season. Wright was 0-3 in 48 1/3 innings with 19 walks and 37 strikeouts. Wright allowed 19 runs, 17 earned, on 48 hits (3.17 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 3.44 FIP).
Financial details of the one-year contract have not been released.
Jung-Ho Kang
Korean SS Jung-Ho Kang has been posted and interested teams must submit a bid by Friday, Dec. 19 at 5:00pm ET (4:00pm CST).
More questions have popped up as to how his power will translate in the majors. Sweeny Murti spoke with a former player in the KBO that told him Kang is not a big league shortstop. But the player Murti talked to thinks he can hit 20 homers in the majors.
Robert Brender, a Mets reporter for SNY, talked to Ryan Sadowski and he expects Kang to receive a three-year, $24 million contract and he thinks Kang will more to second or third base.
The team that submits the highest bid will receive a 30-day window to negotiate and sign Jung-Ho Kang to a contract.
The Cubs interest in Kang is unknown outside of the team scouting him last month.
News, Notes and Rumors
Joe Maddon’s new restaurant in Tampa opened and ‘Ava’ received the critics highest marks ever.
Want to know how catchers fared with wild pitches and passed balls? Click here, then on the image to enlarge …
Patrick Mooney asked the question, could the Cubs have signed Jon Lester without hiring Joe Maddon?
According to Baseball America, the Cubs signed OF Yovanny Cuevas and OF Samir Lara to minor league contracts. Cuevas is a 16-year old right handed hitting and throwing outfielder from the Dominican Republic. Cuevas is 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. Research on the two players turned up next to nothing. I have reached out to Baseball America for information and will post more about the two players as soon as possible.
The Giants are still in on James Shields and view Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong as fallback options according to Henry Schulman. But the World Series Champs are looking for a third baseman and hoping to trade for one.
The Rockies signed Daniel Descalso to a two-year contract for $3.6 million that includes an incentives package for each year of the deal worth $500,000.
A lot was made last week about Joe Maddon finally managing a team that signed a player to a huge free agent deal. After Andrew Friedman designated Brian Wilson for assignment on Tuesday, Friedman is paying more money for players not to play for the Dodgers this season ($54 million) than his average payroll in Tampa ($53.8 million).
After Lester, the Cubs face more decisions according to ESPN Chicago.
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs would like to add at least one more outfielder that plays centerfield.
This Day In Cubstory
2012 – Cubs signed free agent Drew Carpenter
2010 – Cubs signed free agent Kerry Wood
2002 – Cubs signed free agent Troy O’Leary
1999 – Cubs signed free agent Andy Larkin
1996 – Cubs granted free agency to Leo Gomez
1996 – Cubs selected Miguel Batista off waivers from the Marlins
1995 – Cubs signed free agent Mike Campbell
1992 – Cubs signed free agent Jose Bautista
1990 – Cubs signed free agent Dave Smith
1990 – Cubs released Randy Kramer
1982 – Juan Mateo, born
1981 – Cubs released Steve Dillard and Mike Lum
1979 – David Kelton, born
1978 – Alex Cintron, born
1971 – Dodgers selected Chris Cannizzaro off waivers from the Cubs
1959 – Marvell Wynne, born
1931 – Cubs selected Lance Richbourg off waivers from the Braves