The Dodgers have agreed to a minor league deal with veteran right-hander Neftali Feliz, as first reported by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale (Twitter link). The 33-year-old was cut loose after a pair of rough outings with the Phillies last month.
Feliz, the 2010 AL Rookie of the Year, has seen his once-promising career largely derailed by injuries, although he made a return to the Majors after a nearly four-year absence last month in Philadelphia. He’d dominated in Triple-A, earning that promotion to the bigs, but Feliz was immediately dropped into some high-leverage situations and surrendered the lead in both instances. The Phillies, trying for a second straight season to overcome a series of staggering bullpen struggles, designated Feliz for assignment as part of their ongoing reliever carousel.
It’s been years since we’ve seen Feliz at his best, although his recent work isn’t without its positive indicators. The right-hander’s fastball isn’t averaging 97.5 mph like it did when he was a rookie, but an average four-seam velo of 95.7 mph in his limited work with the Phils is nevertheless quite strong. Add in a 1.26 ERA and a 23-to-6 K/BB ratio in 14 1/3 frames with Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier this year, and at the very least, Feliz seems well worth a no-risk look.
Bullpen help figures to be one area that the Dodgers will address in the three-plus weeks leading up to the deadline, but bringing Feliz into the mix right now gives them an upside lottery ticket to evaluate down the stretch.
good luck with that one
It’s the Dodgers. He will probably end up better than he was in 2010 with them. They just seem to have that luck factor with these minor league guys.
I mean it was also kind of unfair to just drop him straight into high leverage situations too, though. He needs his confidence built up first and we absolutely have some Lowe leverage innings available.
With Dumbrowski at the helm, don’t expect miracles in the bullpen. He has had terrible bullpens most of his career, that was the Tigers downfall every year
dambrowski isn’t with the dodgers..lol
its a minor league deal… no real risk, right?
Was this a serious take?
Low risk, high reward. In other words… lightening in a bottle.
I think he was talking about when he was with the Phillies and Dombrowski is with the Phillies.
Phillies history points to a spectacular second half run for Feliz with several key playoff appearances.
Just getting away from the toxicity of that organization can do wonders.
Maybe not throw him into high leverage situations on day #1?
Here comes the next Phil bickford
not even close in comparison. Bickford was a pitcher that had tremendous upside that the brewers for some odd reason DFA’d. Most brewer fans with any bit of baseball knowledge knew that was a mistake letting him go. He has terrific stuff and is shining in LA. Feliz on the other hand, is just horrendous.
That’s a little harsh on Brewers’ management. They gave this guy plenty of chances to prove himself, like giving him (checks notes) two innings across two seasons to show what he had… meanwhile he never had an inning as high as double A prior to 2019.
How much more opportunity do they need to give him before they cut bait on a highly touted talent? He was just horrible in those two professional innings he was given. He reportedly didn’t have a very good attitude either. Brewers just decided they don’t need those kinds of players in their club.
Thinking a guy is terrible after 2 innings? really? that sounds like enough time to properly evaluate?
Felix had an 1.20 era in AAA in 15 games and more than 14 innings
But he’s been horrendous this year based on 1 full inning…?
Rangers did wrong trying to make starter out of him. Heckuva reliever in 2010.
Maybe get him to throw less fastballs and more sliders,
He will be on playoff roster and win it all for the Dodgers.If they picked him up the know something.I agree the toxicity of the Phillies organization got the best of him.GOOD LUCK
He’s going to become a stud now on the Dodgers
And watch the Dodgers turn lead into gold.
Phils to sign him on a 2yr 20M deal next offseason so he can show us a Ring.
Phils to sign him on a 2yr 20M deal next offseason so he can show us a Ring.
Excuse the double post.
He’s out of the Phillies bullpen, which means he will magically be good.
being a Dodgrt hater you guys comments above are spot one do great in LA look at Taylor and Muncy
and the list goes on and on.