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Cubs, Motte finalize $4.5 million, 1-year contract

CHICAGO (AP) - Reliever Jason Motte and the Chicago Cubs have finalized a $4.5 million, one-year contract that allows the former St. Louis closer to earn $2.5 million more in performance bonuses.

Motte was one of baseball's top closers in 2012, when he had 42 saves in 49 chances and helped St. Louis reach the NL championship series. The right-hander had elbow-ligament replacement surgery in May 2013 and missed the season. He returned last season and went 1-0 with a 4.68 ERA in 29 games.

He made his major league debut with the Cardinals in 2008 and had spent his entire career with the team that selected him in the 19th round of the 2003 amateur draft.

The Cubs went 73-89 last season and finished last in the NL Central. Their bullpen had a respectable 3.61 ERA, good for 15th in the majors. Hector Rondon emerged as the closer with 29 saves and a 2.42 ERA, but it was his first year in the role and Motte provides another option should the righty falter.