Taylor Motter - St. Louis Cardinals (2)* pic.twitter.com/wjhYDXHCUF
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) March 18, 2023
However, it was surprising that Taylor Motter made the Cardinals out of Spring Training.
That sets up Taylor Motter to make the opening day roster -- and clears the right-handed bat and outfield spot for the top prospect, Jordan Walker.
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) March 25, 2023
Those moves has not been made. Team officials say there is still a discussion later tonight on roster. https://t.co/8mRGGATJHk
I was really disappointed earlier this afternoon when the Cardinals DFA'd Motter to make room for shortstop Paul DeJong. We just a few weeks into the season, but Motter was doing his job as a role player on the team and DeJong has been horrible for (sub .200 batting average) for multiple seasons. It seems unfair, but I am hopeful Motter will catch on with a more successful baseball team.
In the meantime, I am going to share out my favorite Taylor Motter item from my collection.
This is a game used bat from Motter's rookie season with the Rays in 2016.
Here is a close-up on the barrel. You can see there are a lot of marks and dings on the barrel. Obviously this bat was in use for awhile. There is not visible crack in the bat, but when you tap it on the ground it is clearly broken somewhere.
Close-up of the autograph.
Motter does not have any certified autographs, so this is one of the few Motter signatures in my collection. The left-side of the autograph has a number #11, which was what Motter wore while he was with the Durham Bulls.
This picture of Motter standing on-deck is from the 2015 season.
Finally, here is the knob of the bat. The Tampa sticker with the uniform seems to be pretty standard issue amongst Rays players based on other game-used bats floating around the internet.
Overall, this is one of my favorite Durham Bulls items in my card room.
Was there any reason given for Paul DeJong taking his place?
ReplyDeleteDeJong is getting paid a couple million dollars and the Cardinals won't cut their losses on players who aren't productive. All sports teams make mistakes with contracts, the Cardinals never publicly admit to errors, and just continue to run the player out on the field.
DeleteNever heard of the guy... but I sure he gets another MLB shot and eventually becomes an everyday player.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Sweet bat!
I am waiting for someone to claim Motter after being DFA'd. He was hitting .220 for the Cardinals, so he's got to be better than half the players on Royals or A's. If not, he will likely end up in the Minors with the Cardinals. The Memphis Redbirds are actually playing the Durham Bulls this entire week in Durham, (full week series in AAA), so I might get a chance to see him play.
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