NEW YORK — Jason Motte already has the resume, the hard stuff and the intimidating look with that big beard. But Cubs manager Joe Maddon doesn’t want to anoint Motte as his closer yet.
Motte is starting to look more like the powerful reliever who got the final out in Game 7 of the 2011 World Series and saved 42 games for the St. Louis Cardinals the next year.
Maddon still wants to keep his options open with Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon — even after Motte notched his third save in Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over the New York Mets.