JULY 3: Feliz has cleared waivers and elected free agency, the Phils announced.
JULY 1: The Phillies announced that they’ve designated right-hander Neftali Feliz for assignment and reinstated righty Brandon Kintzler from the injured list. It marks an abrupt end to Feliz’s tenure with the Phils after a four-year absence from the Majors.
Feliz looked razor-sharp in Triple-A this season, posting a 1.26 ERA and a 23-to-6 K/BB ratio in just 14 2/3 innings of work, but the bullpen-desperate Phils gave him a quick hook after his first two outings produced dismal results. Feliz faced just nine batters between his two outings, allowing six of them to reach on four hits (one homer), a walk and a hit batsmen.
Manager Joe Girardi called on Feliz with a man abord to protect a two-run lead in his Phillies debut, but he responded with a walk, a strikeout, a hit batter and a go-ahead grand slam off the bat of Nick Castellanos. Feliz again came in with a pair on and a one-run lead in his second appearance, but he surrendered a game-tying single and go-ahead double before picking up a strikeout to escape the jam.
It’s up for debate whether Feliz should’ve been immediately dropped into high-leverage spots after such a long absence from the spotlight of a Major League mound, but it’s certainly understandable that Girardi would want to try a different approach after such pronounced struggles from the Philadelphia relief corps of late. Turning to Feliz on a pair of occasions didn’t pan out, but that’s been largely true of the remainder of the bullpen as well.
The Phillies will now have a week to trade Feliz, attempt to pass him through outright waivers or release him. There’s a chance, based on his pedigree and strong output with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, that another club might take a look. Feliz, after all, was the 2010 American Rookie of the Year and spent a few seasons as one of the game’s premier relievers before injuries derailed his career. Even if he goes unclaimed, he has the service time to reject an outright assignment and could land with another club as a free agent on a new minor league deal.
Feliz struggled mightily in his short time with Philadelphia, but the same has been true of Kintzler thus far in his first year with the Phils as well. The former Twins and Marlins closer has pitched 18 innings but been clobbered for 17 runs on a stunning 31 hits (five homers) and four walks. Kintzler’s 59.4 percent grounder rate is excellent, as is typical for him, but he’s been plagued by a .406 average on balls in play and been uncharacteristically susceptible to the long ball so far. In the offseason, the Phillies signed him to a minor league deal that came with a $3MM base salary, which he locked in upon winning a roster spot in Spring Training.
thank goodness, now Joe cant misuse him
legit question…what would be the proper use of Feliz?
Concession stand worker?
preferably not two times in three days in leverage situations, at least until you know for a fact that he’s viable at the Major League level.
Guy hasn’t been in the majors in awhile. Girardi immediately puts him in a high pressure situation…twice. I know Girardi doesn’t have a lot to work with, but these were idiotic moves.
He didn’t really have a choice. Every situation has been high leverage the past week or so with this team. Lots of close games and nobody in that pen reliable enough to slam the door.
Girardi is progressively getting worse at knowing who to use when, and when to pull guys.
Anyone would’ve been a better choice. You just don’t pitch him then if the only ops are high leverage.
There were other options, not great ones, but definitely better. He’s looking for mGic instead of using logic.
Gabe Kapler is looking better everyday. Seems all of management in the Phillies domain aren’t doing a good job. No tears here…Lol
Kapler had a better bullpen to work with, but yes, Girardi hasn’t been worse. I was never calling for Kapler’s head.
*has been worse is what I meant. lol.
Well at some point you have to also blame the players right? Hes mixed and matched everyone in literally every situation and almost everything has failed! Now maybe some pulling of starters too soon for unreliable relievers can be put on Girardi, but no matter who he calls upon they still have to do their job, right?
Girardi sucks as a manager. Philly messed up letting go kapler.
Nick Castellanos thanks you for your service.
Dude has 2 appearances and a 36.00 era. Thanks for your service. Phillies are a disaster.
Abrupt. Dismal. Stunning.
“It’s an infringement on your constitutional rights. It’s outrageous, egregious, preposterous.”
A shame, but justified. Kintzler should join him.
Girardi is old school, throws guys into the fire immediately.
Sink or swim in philly
How is Bryce Harper working out in Philadelphia? I’m genuinely asking, as I don’t really follow that team.
I’m curious if Harper would ever waive his no trade clause and allow a trade to San Francisco? San Francisco could easily absorb that contract, as they will have a ton of money coming off of the books at the end of this season.
I’m just brainstorming, I could be way off?
Harper is doing very well. I see no reason for the Phillies to trade him nor do I think he’d waive his rights. He would lose all types of respect. If the rest of the team gave what he gives they would be in a much better place.
Thank you, I appreciate the insight and perspective.
The Giants could definitely use a talent like Harper in their outfield.
He set up his family here. he’s not leaving, and i dont think they’d trade him anyway.
Harper is a STIFF and not worth anything near the money we paid.He drives in no runs and is alway hurt.
This is the first year he’s been really hurt, and it’s not his fault no one is getting on base for him this year. Last 2 years he had some great numbers with men on base. This year, he has all solo homers. I blame the lineup there.
Harper wRC+::
2019: 125
2020: 151
2021: 139
He’s been worth every penny. As for RBI, really?
Watch baseball for once
He is the face of the franchise he isnt going anywhere
Harper is the least of Philly’s problems. He has been better than many expected.
that didn’t last long
Feliz sucks for 2 games, gets DFA’ed, Neris sucks everyday, still on the roster
Neris will be fine now that June is over. 6.40 ERA career in June, 3.35 in July, every other month under 3.00. It’s all good now.
Neris has been very good and very bad. Feliz was only the latter.
People suggest that Feliz shouldn’t have been used in a high leverage situation. Every time the Phil’s go to the bullpen it is a high leverage situation. They won Tuesday and two pitchers did their best to almost blow a four of run lead.
Just would have been nice to give him a shot to come in to a clean inning.
Coming in with runners on after such a long lay off was probably a tough spot
He has 1 inning pitched and -0.5 WAR. That’s pretty stunningly bad.
Girardi is overmatched nightly. He’s getting paid top dollar to find any kind of edge to put this team in a better position to win games. For a season and a half he has not delivered.
Too damn little, too damn late.
You know, this is the right thing to do, but does it really matter. It’s been almost 15 years since this team had leadership at any level that could evaluate big league talent and closer to twenty years since this team could draft and develop star level players.
As far as I can tell, Hamels was the last guy to come out of the Phillies system and have a good career. Not a good week or month or season or even couple of season… a good, solid, consistent, winning career.
**and if your instinct is to mention Nola here, don’t. His ERA is almost four and a half and he can’t go deep in games with any level of consistency. I don’t dispute that he’s an ace talent, but get back to me when he consistently posts ace level results.
Time to trade Nola,Hoskins and release Neris all home grown that should tell you something.This organization is doomed.Girardi needs to go too and hand it over to Dusty Wathan the 3rd base coach.He has worked with these stiffs in the minors and had a winning record.He is not a analytics guy like Kapler and Girardi.
Kapler is not doing too shabby with SF, wouldn’t you say?
Winning organizations develop young talent well. I’d like to see this trade deadline be used to restock the farm system. Odubel, Segura, Bradley, Neris, Alvarado, and maybe Hoskins or McCutchen can be traded for young talent. Do it.
Jimmy Rollins but yeah that’s about it.
Jimmy Rollins came along several years before Hamels.
Bring back Pete Mackanin he had little to work with but good manager
RIP Dallas Green and Vuke
Feliz is a good target for a bullpen needy team in the MLB or NPB.
Gone from the big leagues for 4 years, in the show for less than a week and put into 2 high leverage situations?
Great game management Girardi, no wonder the Phillies are one of the biggest underachieving teams this year!
What Girardi did in the past as a manger is obviously ancient history due to his lack of managerial skills or the ability to have a high payroll and players that bought him wins or both!
Girardi has no idea how to use deploy a bullpen… guy was out of the league 4 years so he uses him in high leverage situations like come on lol. Phillies and the whole city messed up by running Kapler out of town…
See ya !
Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out
Uh Oh signed with Dodgers they must know something we don’t shocking