Guillermo Mota

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Guillermo Mota**
Major League Baseball debut
New York Mets — No. 59
Pitcher
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
May 2, 1999 for the Montreal Expos
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006)
Wins-Losses	23-27
Earned Run Average	3.79
Strikeouts	406
Teams
Montreal Expos (1999-2001) Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-2004) Florida Marlins (2004-2005) Cleveland Indians (2006) New York Mets (2006)

Guillermo Reynoso Mota (born July 25, 1973 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently on the New York Mets.

On November 1, 2006, the Commissioner's Office announced that Mota would be suspended for 50 games to begin the 2007 season for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.^[1] He was the 15th MLB player to be suspended for performance-enhancing drugs.

Mota made his Major League Debut with the Montreal Expos in 1999. The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired him before the 2002 season via trade. While with the Dodgers, Mota's career took off when he became the setup man for All-Star closer Eric Gagne. In 2003, Mota had his breakthrough season posting a 6-3 record with a 1.97 ERA.

At the trade deadline the next season, Mota was sent to the Florida Marlins with Juan Encarnacion and Paul Lo Duca for Hee Seop Choi, Brad Penny, and Bill Murphy. The following season, Mota was slated to be the Marlins closer before the season began. However, injuries derailed Mota's year and he only recorded 2 saves for the season.

During the 2005-2006 offseason, Mota was traded from Florida to Boston along with Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell for prospects, including highly regarded shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Later that offseason, on January 27, 2006, Mota was traded to the Cleveland Indians along with 3rd-base prospect Andy Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach, a player to be named later and cash considerations for outfielder Coco Crisp, reliever David Riske and catcher Josh Bard.

Mota's stint with the Indians was not very successful as he posted 6.21 ERA in his time in Cleveland. On August 11, 2006, Mota was desginated for assignment, by the Indians. On August 20, 2006 he was acquired by the New York Mets for a player to be named later or cash.

Mota's year turned around quickly upon joining the Mets. In the part of the 2006 season he spent with the Mets he posted a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings, while striking out 19. Part of his sudden change of success has been credited to the fact Mota began pitching from the first base side of the mound, rather than from the third base base side where he had been struggling.

Mota's role quickly became significant as the Mets won the 2006 National League East. Entering the playoffs Mota became one of the main setup men to get to closer Billy Wagner along with Aaron Heilman. In the first game of the 2006 National League Division Series, Mota earned the win pitching two innings in relief, despite being charged with 3 earned runs.

Mota signed a 2-year deal with the Mets worth $5 million. Currently he is serving a 50-game suspension for drug abuse and will rejoin the Mets around May.

He entered the game to "I Like To Move It" by Reel 2 Real at Mets home games at Shea Stadium.