It seems like forever since the last time we saw Jason Motte close a game for the Cardinals. Hopefully, that will change in 2014. The two men handled the closer duties in 2013, Edward Mujica and Trevor Rosenthal, will not likely be handling the duties next year.
Rosenthal has made no secret of his desire to be a starter and Mujica has declared for free agency and is not likely to be returning, considering the way his season ended and the Cardinals' wealth of young pitchers. It is likely, however, that Rosenthal will start the season working the ninth inning.
Motte was restored from the 60-day disabled list today.
The Cardinals removed three players who saw major league duty this season from the 40-man roster. The biggest name was Adron Chambers, who has spent as much time playing in post-season games the past three years as he has in the regular season.
Also removed were first baseman/outfielder Brock Peterson and backup catcher Rob Johnson. Johnson was given a lot of credit for the work he did with the Cardinals' younger pitchers, and was especially valuable during the brief time this season that Yadier Molina and Tony Cruz were both injured, but with the possibility of adding a free agent and Johnson's advancing age, the roster space was needed more than a third string catcher.
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