The Pittsburgh Pirates added another power arm to their bullpen for the 2016 season on Wednesday, coming to terms with right-handed relief pitcher Neftali Feliz.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports was the first to report the signing. Feliz gets a one-year deal that will pay him $3.9 million.
Source: Neftali Feliz, Pirates agree to one-year, $3.9 million deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 6, 2016
The 28-year old Feliz made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers in 2009 and has also pitched for the Detroit Tigers. Feliz won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2010.
Feliz has closing experience and gives the Pirates a solid late inning combination with Feliz, Tony Watson and Mark Melancon.
However Feliz will have to bounce back from a 2015 season that saw him post a 6.38 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 48 innings. Feliz did save 10 games.
Prior to Tommy John surgery in 2013, Feliz was one of the more dominating closers in baseball.
He hasn’t been the same since then, but the Pirates are hoping that pitching coach Ray Searage who has shown an ability to turn around the careers of other veteran pitchers, can do the same with Feliz.
In seven MLB seasons. Feliz owns a 15-12 mark with a 3.17 ERA in 289.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 269 batters while walking 110.
Feliz still throws hard which is a bonus as the Pirates now have another power arm they can run out late in games.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
