Motte, Cardinals agree to $12 million, 2-year deal

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Reliever Jason Motte and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

The 30-year-old right-hander had a career-high 42 saves in 49 chances last year, when he was 4-5 with a 2.75 ERA. He made $2 million.

Motte is 17-13 with a 2.87 ERA and 54 saves since his major-league debut in 2008. He will be eligible for free agency after the 2014 season.

St. Louis announced the deal Tuesday.

Two Cardinals remain in arbitration: third baseman David Freese and left hander Marc Rzepczynski. If they fail to reach agreements, hearings would be held next month in Phoenix before three-arbitrator panels.