It goes deeper than a verbal exchange on the mound.

 

Faltering Mota in doghouse

 

BY CLARK SPENCER

 

cspencer@herald.com

 

 

Jack McKeon's head-wagging, verbal undressing of reliever Guillermo Mota didn't end when he snatched the ball from the pitcher Saturday. It continued behind closed clubhouse doors when, during a rip session aimed at the entire team, McKeon continued his assault on Mota by singling him out.

 

To say Mota's season has not gone according to his -- or the organization's -- script would be an understatement. Mota, projected to fill the closer's spot, has just two saves, spent most of May on the disabled list and now appears to be in McKeon's doghouse.

 

Mota has given up runs in three of his four relief outings since returning from the DL, including seven in his past two appearances. He coughed up a grand slam in Pittsburgh and was charged with three runs in Saturday's loss.

 

But McKeon was also miffed that Mota didn't take part in a pregame bullpen workout with Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley, a sign of indifference to the manager. McKeon also threatened to lock the clubhouse doors during games because some players were going inside between innings.

 

McKeon said he has spoken previously with Mota about his role.

 

''I know you want to start being a closer, but you've got to start closing out the innings we bring you in and show us you're worthy of being in line of doing the same job that [Todd] Jones is doing right now,'' McKeon said he told Mota. ``We need him to be back to the Mota he was last year.''

 

Mota's only response to reporters: ``I have nothing to say.''

Link to Full Article

From the Palm Beach Post:

 

Mota, McKeon at odds

The reliever feels he was shown up during an exchange on the mound.

By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Monday, June 06, 2005

 

WASHINGTON ? The Marlins quickly are losing patience with relief pitcher Guillermo Mota, who could be headed for the trading block after a tense verbal exchange Saturday night with manager Jack McKeon.

 

Mota has been complaining about not being put back into the closer's role since his return to action May 27.

 

Todd Jones has converted all eight save opportunities since May 1, when Mota went on the disabled list with a sore right elbow.

 

Mota didn't help his case Saturday when he allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings. When McKeon took the ball from him in the eighth inning, Mota tried to walk away but was calledback to the mound for an animated chewing out by the manager.

 

When McKeon finished, Mota shouted something back as he walked off the mound. McKeon didn't respond.

 

Mota wouldn't talk to reporters Sunday but told teammates he didn't think it was right for McKeon to publicly show him up.

 

McKeon wouldn't reveal what Mota yelled at him, but he indicated the pitcher has been unhappy about his use.

 

"I talked to him the other day: 'We're going to bring you into game situations. I know you want a shot at being the closer but you got to go out there and start closing out the innings we bring you in and show us you're being worthy of being in line to do the same job that Jones is doing right now,' '' McKeon said. "We need him to get back to the Mota he was last year. That's what I'm saying.''

 

Mota, who is making $2.6 million, enters his final year of arbitration this season. The Marlins might consider him expendable if they think they can sign free agent Danny Graves and correct the mechanical flaws that prompted the Cincinnati Reds to release him.

 

Graves has drawn interest from other teams but has told close friends that the Marlins are his top choice. "He'll be here,'' said Marlins reliever John Riedling, who has been in almost daily contact with Graves.

Link to Full Article

I'm not sure who warrants blame here. Jack is an extreme disciplinarian just like our previous manager was a pushover. Balance is in order. An Urban Meyer clone.

i wont be surprised if he gets traded. i dont mind if he leaves you wont see me begging him not to be let go.

i wont be surprised if he gets traded. i dont mind if he leaves you wont see me begging him not to be let go.

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Nah, Mota is going to come around. He may or may not end up being the closer, but for sure is the best set up guy we have (or can acquire).

He doesn't sound like much of a team player, if that's the case I don't want him on my team. However, if that isn't the case he's a big part of this team so I would of course not want him moved. The talent is there and the production will come.

Isn't this a Contract year for him?he will come around and perform, no need to trade him.

I sure hope Jack isn't losing control of this team, and there is only a problem with Mota.

There are other guys who aren't exactly in a role they would like to be (Steve), but you don't hear any of them crying about it. If Mota wants to be the closer again, then he should get his stuff straight and show that he's closer worthy again. If not, then STFU and accept the role that has been given to you.

Trade his ass.

Mota hasn't impressed me yet. He hasn't been the player I expected who set up Gagne in LA. He doesn't seem coachable. Seems like he loves his fastball and when he gets burned it's because it's all he throws. He could be devastating if he mixed up his pitches more. I wouldn't be sad if he was traded. His potential just doesn't seem like it's gonna be tapped into in Florida.

But McKeon was also miffed that Mota didn't take part in a pregame bullpen workout with Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley, a sign of indifference to the manager. McKeon also threatened to lock the clubhouse doors during games because some players were going inside between innings.

Link to Full Article

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Jack didn't seem to be too willing to use him in the game after Friday's pregame workout. Or too willing to use Mota at all since coming back. So, why would a proud professional player anxious to get in the game and get back into game-form, physically and mentally, agree to such a plan?

 

P.S. Funny how Spencer doesn't mention Todd Jones in the second sentence. I wonder why. Could it have anything to do with the access Jones gives to the press?

Mota should just be a 7th inning guy or an 8th inning guy if Mecir is fatigued and just shut up and like it. The last thing we need is an important piece of our bullpen becoming a distraction.

I sure hope Jack isn't losing control of this team, and there is only a problem with Mota.

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yup, thats what I was thinking

Why doesn't Jack put one of the pitchers who.....you know....SUCKS (at least so far this year, which isn't hard to find in that pen) in the doghouse...

Please clarify RFERRY

 

Jack didn't seem to be too willing to use him in the game after Friday's pregame workout. ?????Was there a pregame workout with Wiley on Friday? Didn't think so!

 

 

Or too willing to use Mota at all since coming back. ????Coming off injury, you want to pitch him everyday?

 

 

So, why would a proud professional player anxious to get in the game and get back into game-form, physically and mentally, agree to such a plan? Do you know he is anxious? Two games back since injury and hit hard both times. You get back in physically game-form in bullpen sessions.

 

P.S. Funny how Spencer doesn't mention Todd Jones in the second sentence. I wonder why. Could it have anything to do with the access Jones gives to the press? Yeah right. You seem like you know a lot but unfortunately, you speculate way too much.

Im going to my MLB.tv archives and try to watch that issue. I didnt see it becuase I went off to another game for about 5 min. I will get back to you. :cool

There was a pregame workout Friday. Ask anyone who was at batting practice Friday.

Shut up if you don't know what you're talking about, DogFish.

 

And in 3 of the 5 games the Marlins have played at RFK, Jones has been seen running back and forth between the bullpen and bench/clubhouse in the middle of the game. (Which are a much longer walk than to the bathrooms located in CF.)

Please clarify RFERRY

 

Jack didn't seem to be too willing to use him in the game after Friday's pregame workout. ?????Was there a pregame workout with Wiley on Friday? Didn't think so!

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Actually, there was a pre-game workout with Wiley on Friday. My seats were in right field near the Marlins bullpen and I stood at the fence and watched Beckett and Mota throw with Wiley present.

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Ya I was gonna say I could have sworn I saw Mota throwin on Friday

I was there as well and did not see a workout with Wiley. Beckett throwing per normal off-day bullpen session.

They didn't show it. Anyway, I think there are going to be some big changes next year, its due.

Quit trying to act like you know it all, RFERRY. You are no different this year than any other year. You speculate about everything and post as if factual.

 

and if Jones wants a candy bar, let him get one. Trust me, it is not about Jones. As you stated, he is lucky to have a job in the first place much less a "closers" role.

The man saw the workout with his own two eyes, how is that speculating? Someone else is even confirming it.

Easy Janky. Some of us are "real" Marlin fans.

 

and the point about Jones - speculation......

 

This is my own, on-going, good-natured debate with Rferry.

Easy Juanky. Some of us are "real" Marlin fans.

With real in quotations because you got caught in a lie and therefore must defend it by accusing the people who saw it of lying. That's cute.....but it's wrong. There was a workout, Mota participated in it. Two people saw it, two fans who are usually quite accurate with their descriptions of things they see in person. The chances of them inventing what they saw, considering they sat separated from each other and I don't believe they contact each other frequently outside of this message board, are extremely low.

 

Have fun being a "real" Marlins fan. We'll continue being real Marlin fans.

 

EDIT: Nevermind, three people on this thread have said they saw it and another I spoke to who was at the game also confirmed this workout taking place.

 

Whoops.