I'm surprised there's been little discussion about Mota making an effective appearance tonight. While simply seeing him in the game was a surprise, seeing him pitch well for an inning and 2/3 was equally impressive.

 

So, would anyone here bring him back, or just non-tender him and admit that the L.A. trade is probably one that didn't really work out great for either team?

I'd definitely bring him back.

 

But the thing that annoys me is not Mota himself, but Jack's use of him. More often than not, Jack uses Mota for 2 innings. Is it any surprise that this is the first year he's had arm troubles when Jack has used him for 2 innings on a fairly consistent basis?

 

He needs to be a setup man, and he needs to pitch for one inning, period. I guarantee he would've had better results and less injury problems this year if he had just stuck to one inning. It's no surprise that when he did pitch 2 innings, he always screwed up in the 2nd inning of work.

With the demand for relief pitchers in major league baseball, a guy with Mota's potential isn't going anywhere.

I'd definitely bring him back.

 

But the thing that annoys me is not Mota himself, but Jack's use of him. More often than not, Jack uses Mota for 2 innings. Is it any surprise that this is the first year he's had arm troubles when Jack has used him for 2 innings on a fairly consistent basis?

 

He needs to be a setup man, and he needs to pitch for one inning, period. I guarantee he would've had better results and less injury problems this year if he had just stuck to one inning. It's no surprise that when he did pitch 2 innings, he always screwed up in the 2nd inning of work.

 

 

I agree Mota has not been handled well. He has the ability and could thrive once again under a different coaching staff. In a similar fashion I believe Lowell will bounce back with a new hitting coach, although I'd rather see Miggy playing 3B.

I've said it before, when Mota has the 8th inning all to himself from beginning to end, he usually succeeds. We just gotta hope that we have Jwnz again next season.

I think the deal worked out pretty well for LA. They are pretty happy with Brad Penny. Just read the local media there. Penny is actually one of the few positivies that team has.

mota coulda have been affected all season by the beef he had with Jack for most of the season. i also think the way Jack uses him in 2 inning situations is a bad idea. im wondering how effective he would have been thsi year if he was used stricly in the setup role rather then flip flopped around the bullpen

 

id surely welcome him back with the lack of quality bullpen help available

I had the impression tha besides not being a mcKeon faorite, Mota was having some physical problems throughout the season that hampered both his effectiveness and his ability to pitch with any frequency.

 

Let's hope it all comes together for him next season.

For a pitcher of his talent, there's always a place for him. And it's not his contract is going to jump.

Mota would probably be our closer next year, with a vet with closing experience signed for insurance

I think the deal worked out pretty well for LA. They are pretty happy with Brad Penny. Just read the local media there. Penny is actually one of the few positivies that team has.

 

 

It didn't work out great for L.A. when you consider the on-field talent and club-house chemistry they gave up for Penny not to pitch at all in the playoffs last season, and go 7-9 this season.