The Braves have inked former star hurler Felix Hernandez to a minor-league deal, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). It includes an invitation to MLB camp and a possible $1MM salary in the majors.
Once dubbed “King Felix,” the 33-year-old hurler was relieved of his crown in Seattle when the Mariners bid adieu after 15 memorable seasons. For most of those, Hernandez was somewhere between good and great. In seven seasons from 2009 through 2015, he notched six top-ten Cy Young appearances. He won the award in 2010.
Hernandez broke into the majors in his age-19 season, so it always seemed he’d have a chance at an exceedingly lengthy and productive career. The M’s gambled on just that premise with a then-record contract back in 2013. But his early thirties have not been kind. Since the start of the 2017 campaign, Hernandez has thrown 314 innings of 5.42 ERA ball. He’s averaging a pedestrian 7.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, and 1.7 HR/9 in that span.
The struggles reached new heights in 2019, as Hernandez limped through 15 starts with a 6.40 ERA. He averaged only about 90 mph with his four and two-seam fastballs, while his long-vaunted changeup graded as a liability. Hernandez allowed a 91.4 mph average exit velocity, one of the worst marks in baseball, with opposing hitters turning in a hefty .378 wOBA that was supported by the quality of contact (.371 xwOBA).
So, is there anything left? The Braves aim to find out, though they haven’t staked a ton on the possibility. Hernandez will be given a shot at showing his form in camp, where he’ll join Sean Newcomb and a slew of other candidates doing battle for the fifth rotation slot. It’s still possible the Atlanta organization will make a trade that alters the dynamic. But if not, we’ll all be watching to see whether Hernandez can regain his royal standing — if not as monarch, then perhaps at least as some lesser duke.
Unexpected, good move, he could even do long relief
He has thrown a ton of innings but still only 33 and at 1mil he is totally worth taking a look at and if anything put him in the pen and see what he can do their. Wish the Phillies would have taken a shot on the guy.
Maybe he learns a new pitch.
He has enough pitches. He’s just needs to learn how to pitch, especially now with diminished velocity.
I’m pretty sure that was Dr Pedro’s diagnosis as well
As a Mariners fan, truer words have never been spoken. Felix has very good secondaries but he needs to listen and adapt to the loss of velocity.
I hope he figures it out and succeeds in all sincerity
We will miss him and hope he does well. He can’t come out of the pen he had always been a slow starter. Takes an inning or two to get going. He gave Seattle so much and in return we gave him mostly crap teams. If he was on a team with a part stain record
Sorry fat thumb.
A team with a good post season record he would more than likely go into the hall. He also would have a ton more wins. He lost so many 1-2 run games. Now he is a long shot to make it.
Yeah. After 15 seasons he needs to learn how to pitch. Wow. Somebody get him in the phone and tell him.
Haha. I thought you were trying to say fart stain record!
Somebody should get on the phone and tell him.
He doesn’t need a new pitch. He needs to throw strikes. Almost always at 100 pitches by the 6th inning.
dammit…that was Billy Eppler’s next move. beat to the punch again?!
that was Billy Eppler’s next move. beat to the punch again?!
Are you joking Stewart? Only non-Angel fans want King Felix wearing an Angel uniform.
That was sarcasm.
Believe me, man. No Mariner fan wants Felix wearing an Angel uniform either.
@stewartnbuck Talk to your dealer. It appears you got a bad batch..
This might turn out to be a very good move. Felix is at the point where he can pull a CC or Mike Mussina and learn to “pitch”. I think at the end of the year he is 15-8 with a 3.55 era and around 180 innings pitched.
…or, he may not make it out of ST
You’ve lost your mind….
He has regressed by at least 60% in the last three years. If he were left handed then maybe he could make it as a soft tosser but I can’t recall a good soft tossing righty.
Let me fast forward the movie for ya….he doesn’t make the club out of ST and announces his retirement.
He “learned to pitch” years ago. All one has to do to notice is a quick glance to how his pitch selection changed ca. 2011:
fangraphs.com/players/felix-hernandez/4772/stats?p…
Over the years, his fastball use has significantly declined while his changeup and later also curve became used much, much more. Another notable spike year in the same directions was 2014. In 2018 and 2019, his fastball-curve-change ratio was practically 1-1-1.
Might he manage to completely reinvent himself *again*? Maybe — hopefully, though I’m skeptical. If he does so, will it be because he reinvented himself for the first time by “finally” learning to pitch? No, of course not.
He will not pitch in the pen, he only wants to be a starter
Yeah. That was the stance he’s had the last couple years in Seattle and — to me, at least — much more why he’s now gone. Had he been willing, the M’s definitely have the MR slots available for the homegrown fan favorite.
Maybe he’ll change his tune once he really, REALLY knows that his ability to wear an MLB cap is dependent on it with his “change of scenery”. For him to salvage his career, put me in the camp thinking it’ll be necessary.
I feel like if he accepts his age and goes the route of other vets who re-tooled (Sanchez, CC, Zito, Moyer) he could put together some good years. It would be hard for him to swallow because of the way they competed for CYAs back in the day, but Greinke is maybe an example of aging gracefully that he should take notes from.
Mariners tried to get him to do that…he had no interest in that.
Sounds like King Felix is difficult to change. I remember at the start of his career he’d throw too many fastballs in the first inning. The Mariners couldn’t get him to change until a then-unknown blogger at Lookout Landing wrote an open letter to the Mariners pitching coach pleading for Hernandez to throw more breaking pitches. It seems the Mariners pitching coach had been trying with no success. He saw the article, printed it out with all the data and slammed it down in front of Hernandez telling him that even unknown people on the Internet could see how predictable his pitches were. Hernandez finally listened and made some changes and went on to become, well, King Felix! That unknown blogger was Dave Cameron who went on to become the managing editor of Fangraphs and now works in the Padres front office running analytics. Maybe now an unknown Braves blogger can help King Felix at the end of his career as Cameron did at the start!
He did that already, actually:
fangraphs.com/players/felix-hernandez/4772/stats?p…
Sadly, he’s been at the point where that doesn’t work anymore for a couple years.
@jneumann “Unexpected, good move,”
You do realize that it is 2020 and not 2015 right?
But he Retired?.or Not?
Clearly not lol
He has been hit hard these last two seasons. He’s only 33, but he’s been in the majors for a very long time.
Damn feels like he should be 40
That’s what happens when he comes up at 19. Most players with 15 seasons in would be pushing 40.
Long live the king in Seattle
The guy’s career is toast. Meaningless move. Might as well put a hitting tee at the plate
Man didn’t see that coming. I don’t know, the King anywhere but Seattle doesn’t seem right, regardless of the situation.
I think it’s a great move for the Braves. Low risk, lots of upside if he’s got anything left in the tank.
This’ll be fun.
I hope Felix can earn a spot. Would love to see him bounce back.
thanks Chaim. who’s our 5th starter?
Felix Dubrount?
There’s been talks of Doubront being courted by CPBL teams, not KBO or even NPB teams.
Guy would be at 50 pitches against the games first hitter. Made Dice K look like Mark Buhrle
Now that’s a name that I haven’t heard of in a longtime.
Looking like Newcomb barring a disaster
Matt Hall Lol
Unless they trade Price they already have all 5
Tony Gonsolin.
Gonna be weird seeing him in another uniform.
We got our ace bois lol
lol yup….AA grasping at straws now huh?! smh…AA would be fun to watch with legit ownership in place…oh well
Wonder if a change of scenery will bring back some of his old form? Looked pretty much done last year.
a change of arm might bring his fastball up to 90.
I wouldn’t count on that.
Expert in arm replacement surgery?
I think he needs to figure out his limits and switch up his style if he doesn’t want to get slapped around, but it’s possible.
Just having Felix in camp around the other pitchers will be great for the Braves, regardless of if he makes the team or not
Why? Felix has always done his own thing during the Spring, which is just a lot less work than all the other pitchers were doing.
Felix is a Carmelo Anthony type. Just like Miguel Cabrera. Or even Mickey Mantle.
Most natural born talent ever. But poor work ethic and bad habits off the field stopped their star from ascending out of this galaxy.
This is not the veteran clubhouse presence that will get your youngsters eating right and hitting the gym.
Cabrera won the Triple Crown…I’d say he’s not the best example of an underachiever.
I think he means more that he was done a few years before he should have been. He will be 37 in April, and was done by age 34. Last 3 years have been mediocre. Injuries have crept up and he just hasn’t been the same player. He had a much better and longer career than Felix, but I see what he is saying.
Yeah and Mickey Mantle is probably the biggest star of the 1950s AND 1960s. I don’t really know how he could have been more highly ascended.
Read their comment again. Not once was “underachiever” stated or implied. Rather, the implication is that the success achieved wasn’t so much because of ‘grit’ and ‘work ethic’ as it was (to quote them) “most natural born talent ever”.
This was in stark contrast to the head of the thread talking about how he’ll be great to have just because of his mystical veteran-ness.
Good gamble for them – wonder if he’s open to pitching in the bullpen . I imagine a bunch if teams will be kicking themselves for not giving up a whopping 1 mil on it
He can’t pitch anymore. Maybe he can juggle for the fans.
King, not jester.
Wasn’t open to bullpen in Seattle…don’t see him changing
No, a bunch of teams aren’t kicking themselves. These kinds of low risk with an equally low chance of a come back are made by teams all the time. It’s essentially buying a lottery ticket.
Yeah, and if he doesn’t make serious changes to his conditioning or his style it’s like buying a scratchoff that was already redeemed
He actually did take eating and working out a bit more serious the last few years. Lost weight etc. It was just 10 years to late. Might have gotten another contract from Seattle if he did.
Only 3 years too late. 10 years ago, he was only just blossoming fully. I’d say 2015 marks the year he needed to change his conditioning to stop the ensuing collapse. Perhaps after 2016 had he also gotten some “supplements” *wink wink, nudge nudge* to help his injury recovery.
Still have yet to make any significant moves this offseason.
Silly comment.
Lol seriously.
Not signing MadBum might be the best, most significant move made by the Braves.
Beat closer on the market isn’t significant at all
You have got to be the most worthless commenter on here
Even more worthless than StewartnBuck?
Wil Smith is significant and Darnaud could be.
Nice sign, hope we can work some magic on king Felix
Washed up has-been to be signed by team I root for. Meh.
Bet you’re fun a parties.
About as much fun as someone who thinks that line is clever
Ole Chester A Arthur with his lack of baseball knowledge. Once didn’t know the numerical # assigned to each position… what a joke
He has a 5.42 ERA with 5.32 FIP over his last 314 IP. Hope he can completely change his mechanics and his mindset, and if he can’t bring that changeup back, comeback as a junkballer/low K/pitch to contact guy.
i mean, they did strike gold with Anibal Sanchez. maybe King Felix could be their next success story.
Anibal had been like a year out from being good or functional. It’s like 4 plus years for Felix.
What? Anibal was awful the three years preceding the Braves picking him up.
I like it
That is the absolute last name I expected to read. Would be crazy if he could contribute.
So much for the Rick Camp comeback blowing everyone’s minds.
Gross
Hope Felix can come back. He really had nothing last year.
The King is back… To anchor the Braves’ rotation…
The King is back, and that anchor will weigh down the pitching staff. He’s done.
Braves have money to burn now.
Good signing Atlanta.
Long done, unfortunately.
Holy crap, he might actually be a starter so that Newcomb can be a LR. (or vice visa) The Rangers crushed King Felix, so it’ll be hard seeing him in Atlanta. My question is that, do the Braves expect to use their young starting prospects in the rotation next year?
Felix is nothing more than some insurance in case Newk continues to struggle with his command when working as a starter.
However, Felix wouldn’t even be in-line after Newcomb. Barring some effective mechanical adjustments, pitch selection, and/or an uptick in velo or spin rate, then Kyle Wright would likely still get the nod over Hernandez.
As things stand now, for the 5th starter’s job I think the pecking order most likely looks like the following:
Newcomb
Wright
Felix
Wilson
Anderson
Davidson
Weigel
Muller
Towards the middle of the season, guys like Anderson, Weigel, and Davidson will likely improve their chances with some successful seasoning and experience at AAA, but for now, it is Newcomb’s job to lose. If and only if he falters, then we could see Wright, Felix, or Wilson, in that order..
I’m surprised Felix would do this for just a possible $1M. He must really want to pitch.
I think if he can have something of a career renaissance, he will bolster his HOF credentials. That could be on his mind.
No one was going to give a AAA pitcher with a familiar named attached to him more than this. He gets a shot at a championship if he can make the team. Which is unlikely, unless he’s really open to changing his pitching style. He Wasn’t open to that in SEA and felt disrespected not getting the opening day start—When in reality, he should’ve considered himself lucky he was on a major league roster.
No one was going to offer more. He’s only 33. If he can have a bounce-back year, then he can resurrect his career.
Nobody had any clue whatsoever.
Typical AA move lol
Who knows. Maybe a move to the NL will help him. Will get to face batters that have not seen him pitch and might be good for a couple of more years before the NL figures him out. Has worked for other guys so worth a shot for Atlanta. Hope he figures it out and have at least one more season in the sun :)
I wish the King the best, but I don’t think it would take a couple of years for NL hitters to adjust, especially in our information age
Felix is also no slouch with the bat. I don’t remember his career hitting stats, but he has a couple of homers to his credit.
Good, low risk move but his arm is most likely cooked. He is King Felix in name only now after the last few seasons.
Will he be called “Chief” Felix for the Braves?
No risk in this signing. He won’t likely even make the team.
this could be interesting.
Losing out on Donaldson was Big League but I have had no problem with the signings of low cost, potential high upside signings of the Braves. It’s time to sign Ozuna & trade for Arenado & the Braves will be on track
Bigly?
Ozuna & arenado? Holy hell, the Braves don’t spend money like that these days and the farm will be barren. Lineup would definitely be killer though..
What a joke. If you’re going to rip on Liberty Media and the Braves, don’t do it for not matching the idiotic Twins-Donaldson contract — rip them when they pull crap like this. They just signed the ghost of King Felix.
Because there is downside to this?
Or are you just bitter your team would not commit four years to get an MVP candidate?
Uh… This is a minor league deal, with a chance for him to prove himself. I’ll grant you it’d be a lot more exciting if this was 2010. Still, there’s zero risk here.
Now letting our clean up hitter go over a few million bucks is a risk, and a dumb move.
You haven’t the slightest clue what you’re talking about. It’s a dart throw. Low risk move. Nothing bad can come of this deal. And what if that dart throw hits the bullseye?
Imagine being this mad over a lotto ticket, Braves are lacking vets, just bringing him to camp to impart knowledge to youngsters in his position when he was that age (Soroka) is a solid move for the team.
I guess you didnt know the Braves signed Cole Hamels. Hernandez signing is for one purpose..looking for lightning in a bottle.
I hope he hits another homerun! Good luck Felix.
Mets winning the division this year
Haha. Nope nationals maybe, mets nope
He is used up. Out of shape. Will not last. He made huge money and has no motivation.
perfect for a # 5 rotation guy.
If no motivation wouldn’t have signed. He has ego.
That blazing 86 mph heater will dominate, at least he throws strikes. Seeing all the money saved by not signing JD the Braves are flush with cash for reclamation projects
Any idea what Steve Avery and Kent Mercker are up too?
Whats next Justin Upton ? .
Kevin Millwood and Gene Garber might be available
I’d be excited to have J. Upton back.
All he needs is Eddie Harris to teach him how to throw the “Vaseline ball”
Again, c’mon folks. 1M for The King? For all that he represents and MIGHT (stress MIGHT) bring to the staff?
Another league, immeasurably better defense, better team….who knows? Probably won’t be significant, but there’s lots of back-of-the-rotation or bullpen guys making a lot more money. And Felix will be a great PR story, even if he comes back a little bit.
A complete no-brainer.
Really makes absolutely no difference what defense was playing behind him. His statcast contact numbers have been horrendous for 3 seasons.
If you like old names; great signing to get a familiar name in camp. If you expect any type of value on the mound, well best of luck.
He’s not making the roster, dude. What is wrong with you?
Some posters on here only really care about hyping up GM’s with no titles to their names.
Ya he’s probably not making the roster. That’s not the point of the deal. It’s a low risk high reward deal. He doesn’t make the roster they lose nothing.
If he keeps his same style and routine then you can pretty much throw that all out, but if he wants to re-tool like some vets have recently then he has a shot.
Low risk move for a chance to evaluate a former star pitcher during spring training. If he’s willing to listen to pitching coaches and change his approach, the Braves may strike gold.
Stretch him out and let him compete with the young guys. If he shows he still has something left maybe he becomes a decent reliever.
I’ll be nice if he can bounce back and contribute for a contender; and get to play in the playoffs!!
Spot starter, long relief,
Best of luck
Looking at bbref, he won the CYA in the only season in a seven year stretch where he wasn’t an All Star.
Good signing, I think he’s got something left in the tank, even if he has to reinvent himself somewhat. Verlander looked similarly washed up at one point.
Verlander still had a blazing fastball. Felix has decent offspeed stuff, but can’t do anything with his fastball so nothing else really matters.
Also for whatever reason, his fastball velocity came back stronger in Houston, as is the case with many other pitchers.
CC learned to pitch but was sheltered with short outings and lots of rest. Was getting paid lots of money for a job that someone half his price can do.
Looking at bbref, he won the CYA in the only season in a seven year stretch where he wasn’t an All Star.
Good signing, I think he’s got something left in the tank, even if he has to reinvent himself somewhat. Verlander looked similarly washed up at one point.
Yeah I mean this is just not even close to the truth. Verlander never looked anywhere near as awful as Hernandez nor did he every post an ERA of 5+. Really no comparison whatsoever. Felix would have to improve significantly to be as good as a “washed up” Verlander was.
Verlander and CC Sabathia are 2 pichers afew years back look like they were on a spiral downhill, and out. They reinvented themselves(or what ever you want to call it), and have had several productive years.
-Felix needs to find what works(something new or different), and really make it work.
Greinke, Moyer, Anibal Sanchez, and Zito all on that list too off the top of my head
Helluva signing! If today was 1/20/2012
I’d say a good signing given the terms of the deal.
It was a good deal no matter the year. You just don’t understand what a low risk deal is
April fool’s already? Can’t offer to Donaldson but will sign an over the hill pitcher.
I don’t think you really understand the deal. What risk did the braves take?
He’s washed up. Doesn’t anyone here watch baseball? He was basically throwing batting practice the last couple of years. He is beloved in Seattle and even they couldn’t find an excuse to bring him back.
Ya we know he’s washed up? Do you watch baseball? Do you know what a low risk deal?
Watched his debut in August 2005 at Comerica Park. I couldn’t believe what I was watching from a 19 year old. Pure electric stuff early and in his prime.
That’s awesome.
In line w braves desire to spend
Great signing I’ve watched countless Mariners games the past few years. KING FELIX still has about a third of a tank I’d say.
He will dominate in the NL
If King Felix intends to pitch like Greg Maddux (control over the corners of home plate) maybe he can succeed in Atlanta.
I mean….. at the end of the day he’s only 33 years old. And he was elite for years… maybe he finds a little something extra to provide benefit for us in that 5th starter role. To be fair, we have someone much older on our staff who’s been pitching a while and he’s still pitching well enough. Idk… think it kinda depends on his offseason conditioning honestly. He’s gonna whip himself into much better shape if he’s gonna pitch well with all that wear and tear on his arm… 33 isn’t THAT old, although the mileage on him adds like 10 years… but who knows. Maybe a resurgence year or something. Cheers for wishful thinking
King Felix! I like this move. I dont care he doesnt throw 100. we had 2 of the best pitchers in baseball who didnt throw 100 but could paint corners. just needs to work on location, he will do okay in a Braves uniform.
He doesn’t throw 90…
It’s bizarre anyone would think this is a BAD move….really. Non-guaranteed amount of money that’s 1/8th of what Jake McGee will take home this year. If he’s the 13the guy on the staff and pitches mop up to a 5.00 ERA, it’s a HUGE positive for the team, all things considered. And he’s made enough; if it all goes south, he’ll probably quit.
Expect nothing; be shocked by any small smidgen of success. But, with VERY few exceptions, you can say that for any 6th starter/mop up guy in the majors. And none with the back-story of Felix Hernandez.
google.com/amp/s/www.seattletimes.com/sports/marin…
Blanket statement Bob is back ladies and gentleman! Felix has been nothing but a whining overpaid scrub-a-dub-dub. He’ll be invaluable in teaching the young Braves pitchers how to whine and not change for anyone or anything!
You guys on here think every move is a good move. Just because they aren’t paying someone a lot of money doesn’t automatically make it a good move. It doesn’t matter if the player is making 20 million or 200 thousand. That player still has to perform on the field. Felix has been finished for a few years now with a lot of wear and tear on his body. He was also pitching in a pitcher friendly ballpark and still didn’t even look decent
If the Braves have to rely on Hamels and Felix this upcoming season. They might as well call it a season and start preparing for 2021.
What you’re doing would be the same thing as getting mad at receiving a free lottery ticket.
If he sucks in spring training he’ll be gone. This is a no-risk move.
Love it, hope he puts up some decent numbers. Was hoping the Yankees would take a flier on King Felix on a minor league deal or a 1 year prove it, major league deal
Anibal Sanchez 2.0?
Oh well at least its a minor league deal probably a huge waste of time but what the hell
He will be designated for assignment by June.
I dont know which is more laughable. Braves signing Felix, or Braves making no push to lock up Donaldson, who’s not only a fan favorite, but is a superstar. Two dumb decisions
What’s the risk behind this deal?
You got me. I wish someone would explain. It sure seemed to set some people off. You’d think they offered him a multi year contract.
bringing back josh tomlin seems less risky..wouldn’t help with the lefty part..
It wouldn’t be less risky.
There is no risk either way.
Good luck king Felix. Thank you for the great memories in Seattle. I sincerely hope you get back to what you hope to be. We had some good years.
Hard to really bash minor league signings but I prefer ones with a higher ceiling. I think you know what you’re getting with Felix at this point and it’s just not good anymore. Great career but I see nothing to make me think he’s got one last magic season left
Yeah. This is the equivalent of them bringing in some 4A pitcher with low quality stuff. It’ll catch a headline because of his name but not because he has anything left.
Helix Fernandez is too twisted.
“Some Lesser Duke Hernandez” doesn’t really have much marketing pizazz…
dipdip should have offered the same kind of a deal. or a job as an assistant to him.
“… we’ll all be watching to see whether Hernandez can regain his royal standing — if not as monarch, then perhaps at least as some lesser duke.“
Good one.
Perhaps as ‘Prince of the Peach State’?
Maximum respect to King Felix of yore.
Given how quickly and significantly his production declined, it is surprising to see him listed as only 33 years old. I would expect something like this from a once elite pitcher around age 40.
He’ll be 34 right after opening day. You have to consider that Felix started pitching deep into ML games at 19. 34 is closer to 40 for a guy with that work load.
Tim Lincecum was toast by 32, it’s not uncommon.
Pluck an outlier like Lincecum as evidence it isn’t uncommon! Tim had a degenerative hip disease BTW
This could easily be the signing of the offseason….
I’d pump the brakes there. Lol. At best, it’s not a complete and utter disaster. Maybe he spins a good outing, or 3. I think the most likely result is he’s cut after ST.
I am expecting another signing or 2 like this. I think the Braves are going to trade a couple young arms to get a bat.
Newcomb, Wilson & Muller for Betts
Rumor is the Red Sox are attaching Price’s contract to Betts, so Atlanta would have to be willing to take that on. Which, if they did, would make me pretty mad, considering they were too cheap to keep JD
Braves gotta start with Pache and Anderson or else Boston hangs up the phone. Braves also must take all of Price’s contract. This is literally what the Red Sox FO have been telling people,
And THAT, is exactly why the Braves want none of Betts…at least at this point.
I wouldn’t.
Betts isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Same with Arenado, who is another guy I have seen some Braves fans mentioning as a possible acquisition this offseason.
Get off the Betts wagon, no-place for him to play, plus going to cost too much to get him and pay him. If anything the Braves maybe need to trade for Arenado. If Atlanta could get Colorado to pay some of the 234 million, maybe 35-40 million of it. The could be a free agent in 2 yrs. will probably be dealt with. Arenado is unhappy in Col. now. Send them Riley, Newk., Touki, and a couple of other lower prospects. Signing Felix kinda holds a young guy back, especially if he makes the team. Maybe the Braves have plans of a trade to solve that problem.
They said after 2017? Was he hit by everyone or did he get cheated by the astros by most of the outings at their ballpark from the cameras?
Lincecum was done early due to his funky delivery. It is not very common for elite pitchers to be “toast” by their early 30s at all. A decline is one thing, but to have it be so significant that an elite pitcher with one or more Cy Young awards on his resume to not even be able land a starting job in the majors is uncommon at that early of an age. The fact that Hernandez started at an early age is a valid point, but I still find it surprising that his decline has been so rapid.
he sucks now
At his peak one of the best to do it. I’ve seen him throw pitches that seemed to defy the laws of physics.
Would be odd to see him in a different uniform.
Looks like the Braves are hoping for another Anibal Sanchez lightning in a bottle situation. Big name that has struggled the last few years in the AL being brought over to the NL. We’ll see if he has anything left in ST. In the meantime, it looks like AA is waiting out the market to see if anyone gets desperate enough that they’ll accept a shorter term contract, like perhaps Ozuna.
This reminds me of when Atlanta signed Jim Bouton
Hopefully, he’s picked up the ability to listen. His absolute refusal to change his approach to contributed to his downfall. The Mariners tried and tried.
Oh, this was a GREAT move by the Braves!!!
Maybe we’ll sign Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson next! Or heck, let’s put Smoltz or Glavine back on the mound!
Come on!! Wouldn’t spend money on Donaldson due to age, but you’ll throw away money on this guy who’s WAY past his prime!! I’ll take some money if you wanna try me out on the mound.
What you’re doing would be the same thing as getting mad at receiving a free lottery ticket.
What you’re doing is getting mad at receiving a free lottery ticket. There is hardly any risk to this deal.
IKR? If he doesn’t do well, they’ll release him. They won’t be out very much money. The $1MM figure is only if he makes the majors, and even then it’s not a given.
Interesting depth move,could find a second career in the bullpen. If he pitches well enough could latch on elsewhere if not in Atlanta.
with a lineup like Atlanta, this guy will turn it around. new area, new attitude, new blood.
he’s getting 15 wins, but still a mid 4s ERA. I’d take that any day.
No. 1-4 with a 4.75 era and cut before June 1st.
yeah more than likely not.
but thanks for depressing
Sometimes old habits die hard. I would assume it would be hard for any player who was at the top of his game to realize that he’s not what he once was and has to change his approach to keep going.
I hope he’s got something left and is able to re-invent himself into a pitcher who has the ability to give you at 6 innings a night.
If his arm is sound it’s a small risk worth taking. The Mets got a couple of 15 win seasons out of the “washed up” Bartolo Colon.
Great back in the day. Glad I was able to see him throw in his prime. Safeco was always a little wilder for his starts. Fat POS now. Refuses to do anything in the off-season. As it’s been said previously, won’t make it outta ST.
Maybe they can hire Rock Bottom as his PC. Oooops wrong forum, I thought was about Felix The Cat. Righty O ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Maybe they can hire Rock Bottom as his PC. Oooops wrong forum, I thought was about Felix The Cat. Righty O ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Maybe they can hire Rock Bottom as his PC. Oooops wrong forum, I thought was about Felix The Cat. Righty O ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Maybe they can hire Rock Bottom as his PC. Oooops wrong forum, I thought was about Felix The Cat. Righty O ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
The incredibly cheap Braves once again show they aren’t all that interested in winning a WS.
And you’re whining about a free lottery ticket. Hardly any risk to this deal
A good landing spot for good King Felix if he still has the goods.
Good luck Felix
Yeah, everyone wanted Donaldson back, but in two years everyone will want Freeman back. Sometimes you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Maybe AA is saving dollars to make sure Freddie remains a Brave for life. That should be a priority. Low cost moves have low risk and possibly great rewards.
If a ML team can’t afford 2 ML players making 20-25 million each, when most everyone else is making peanuts, there’s an issue. They blew 4 million dollars on Markakis this year, which could’ve gone to Josh. I don’t buy the argument that they couldn’t keep Donaldson because they need to plan for Freddie, and I’m not giving AA a pass.
This is a no risk move here, so it’s hard to fault it. Anthopolous is taking flyers now though. The only strategic element to it is he’s probably hoping he’ll get a hit, so the club has a deeper staff, and he can defend his stupid “value” system that he so stubbornly holds to.
I hope for his sake – and the game of baseball – that he can rediscover something and be a decent pitcher again. He was so good, so young and always seemed to be a good teammate and person – it would be nice to see him reestablish himself for some sort of late career comeback be it with ATL or elsewhere. I’ll be rooting for him.
I don’t think it’s especially likely, but it’d be a fun story.
Here’s to hoping him success! He’s been bitten bad by homeritis the last few years, so who knows, maybe the Braves can help him with that and get something like a #4/5 type season out of him. I would love to see a decent second act out of him, even if history doesn’t really favor that happening.
I didn’t know Felix was that young. A scenery change might do him some good.
Duke? More like dookie
Rooting for King Felix to be the next Bartolo Colon
There’s only 1 bartolo! Baseball only has room for 1 demi-god disguised as a baseball player. Btw Bartolo is currently training for his next 10-year run, looks GREAT!
Well, this is certainly interesting
Don’t really see Felix as having much in the tank, but a team like the Braves may be a good fit. Hamels and Hernandez can really school the younger pitchers.
If nothing else, the Braves have cornered the market on 2010 All-Stars. We could bring back Bautista for 3rd base, and sign Josh Hamilton for a COF spot.
Can’t see how people can hate on this. A minor league contract is nothing. Money under the seat for a team. He looks done. But what if some coach can improve him? Could happen. At worse it gives the braves some press. Some hits to their website. Sells some spring training tickets. If he actual does go to the minors, big if he would sell tickets there. The casual fan is a teams target audience and they just seen on the local news the braves signed a former cy going winner. That is worth what they paid him already. Already a great signing as far as ownership is concerned.
He must love the game, I was really hoping he would retire having worn only one jersey. Oh well. It will be odd seeing him in a braves uniform but all the best to him.
Nice! Feel free to sign some more washed up all-stars, Braves. Thanks to your cheap penny-pinching owner, the NL East is up for grabs and I’m looking forward to watching the Straight Cash Stevie Cohen Mets play against you this season. May the best team win!
Penny-pincher? Ownership just dropped a wad of cash on someone who probably wont make the MLB roster. If they were really that cheap, they wouldn’t have bough what was basically a lottery ticket.
$1 million is not a wad of cash to a baseball team. This is a low-risk signing, and if it doesn’t work out they will cut him. I don’t understand all the outrage about this signing.
Oh, and he’ll only make the million if he makes the major league team, which probably won’t even happen.
Anything not to spend .10 cents and win anything. What a joke.
$1 million is not a wad of cash to a baseball team. This is a low-risk signing, and if it doesn’t work out they will cut him. I don’t understand all the outrage about this signing.
Didn’t mean to post twice. I thought it didn’t post the first time.
Comeback player of the year.
17-4
Average 6 2/3 IP per start
2 CG Shutouts
You don’t win titles making pointless moves like this. Second-rate franchise. Though I’m glad they didn’t match Minnesota’s offer for JD.
Braves are thinking he may experience a revival under Braves coaching. If not, investment is low.
Sounds like he should talk with Kershaw about his velocity challenges.
Great signing for the Braves, especially at that price. It seems that Felix is washed up, but in a new place with a competitive team you just never know what can happen. I wanted the ‘Stros to take a flier on him just because I figured it would be a short-term, low dollar contract and what do you really have to lose at that price?
I don’t know what they’d have to lose, but some people sure seem to think it’s a bad move!
The King has Left the Building Folks! Maybe ATL can hope for an Earl or a Duke Felix…just keep an eye on his velocity, if he’s low-90’s(even upper-80’s) he will NOT be effective, he needs to be mid-90’s+ to be his old self and he hasn’t hit that in years! You can dream on a Verlander-type old age bounce back, but I wouldn’t count on it! Thats too bad to, ‘King’ Felix in his prime was as good(or better) than any HOF’er out there! Thanks for the Memories Felix and Good Luck over in the NL, Hope you can get the ring you never could get in Seattle!
No lose addition for either side. Maybe he can reinvent himself in the national league as a number 5 starter. Would 10-10, 4.75 era and close to 200 innings be so bad from your back end starter?
Worst case scenario, he gets cut. Long man out the bullpen, spot starter, either way, if his arm is healthy, the Braves took an intelligent risk.
I hope it turns out better than the last old man they signed.
Old as in years and arm miles.
The Braves took a busted Anibal Sanchez from the Tigers and turned him around. Maybe they’ll do the same here.
2017 – 2019
15-27 W-L
314 innings
5.42 ERA
WHIP 1.409
7.5 K/9
3.2 BB/9
1.7 HR/9
Well I do wish him the best with the Braves, his numbers should give any fan pause. The stats show a pitcher whose velocity has declined and his control has slipped. While in Seattle he indicated more than once an unhappiness and unwillingness to accept a diminished role i.e. bullpen duties. My hope had been that he could reinvent/reset his skills and become a pinpoint pitcher in in the mold of Jamie Moyer and CC Sabthia. It didn’t happen. I Love this game and really do want to see him succeed but he’s going to have to be willing to give up being King Felix. If he doesn’t he’s only going to further tarnish his crown and become a court Jester.
Braves are gonna be tough to beat. Potentially add Kris Bryant
That’s a scary everyday lineup
Acuna Jr
Freeman
Bryant
Albies
Dansby Samsonite… Swanson
I think Hernandez will have a good year.
I don’t understand all the bitterness and outrage about this signing, or about any signing like this. He’ll be paid whatever the minimum is, and will be cut in spring training if he’s no good. The $1MM isn’t much for baseball, but is only if he makes the MLB team, and even then it didn’t seem certain that he’d get this amount.
So: They’re not wasting money on him. He’s not blocking anyone. It’s not likely he’ll be around long enough to teach anyone bad habits, if that’s what you’re worried about.
It just seems silly to say this is a bad move, when there’s really no risk involved.
The only reason I can see for the outrage is that people only read the headline before posting.