Hello Mota?

According to various reports, it appears former Dodger setup man Guillermo Mota is on his way back to the Dodgers.  Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times has the story:

Guillermo Mota has agreed to the terms of one-year contract to rejoin the Dodgers, according to baseball sources who were granted anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter. The deal is pending a physical, which is scheduled for today.

The deal is pending a physical, so nothing is official.  It seems MLB teams are cracking down on making any announcements official before physicals are taken.  Apparently the players union doesn't want a deal announced followed by a failed physical, basically letting the rest of the baseball world know the player is damaged goods.  So MLB teams have taken the Steve Sax stance on this issue.  Remember Kirk Gibson's HR in the 1988 World Series?  I know you have it on DVD or VHS, or saved on your DVR or TiVo.  Next time you watch it, look at Steve Sax as Gibson is approaching home plate.  Sax has his hands up like he's being held at gunpoint, trying to back away from Gibson as if any contact with him would negate the run.  it's hilarious, actually.

Anyway, no contract deals are known yet, but here are some contracts signed by other free agent righty relievers (non-closers) this offseason:

1) Kyle Farnsworth (Royals) - 2/$9.25m (+ an option)

2) LaTroy Hawkins (Astros) - 1/$3.5m

3) Doug Brocail (Astros) - 1/$2.75m (+ option)

4) Bob Howry (Giants) - 1/$2.75m

5) Chan Ho Park (Phillies) - 1/$2.25m

6) Chad Gaudin (Cubs) - 1/$2m

7) Jorge Julio (Brewers) - 1/$950k

8) Scott Proctor (Marlins) - 1/$750k

My guess is Mota's deal is somewhere in the 1-year, $2 million range, perhaps with some incentives or maybe an option for a 2nd year. 

It's a little frustrating that the Dodgers aren't sticking to an all-homegrown bullpen.  I think there are enough quality arms in the system to fill an entire pen (Broxton, Kuo, Wade, Troncoso, Elbert, and Stults just to name a few).  But I'm not going to get worked up over this signing.  Mota won't be earning a ton of cash, and even though he's projected to have a FIP between 4.31 and 4.70 in 2009, maybe Mota can regain some of the magic that allowed him to post one of the top relief seasons in Dodger history (a 204 ERA+ in 2003).  I won't be holding my breath, but stranger things have happened.