The A’s announced they’ve designated reliever Michael Feliz for assignment. His spot on the active roster will go to outfielder Luis Barrera, who has been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Feliz’s time in Oakland looks as if it’ll wind up being extremely brief. The A’s just grabbed him off waivers from the Red Sox last Monday, marking four separate teams this season for the 28-year-old. He made just one appearance in green and gold, recording one out while allowing a hit and a walk last week against the Mariners.
It has been a roller-coaster type season for Feliz, who began the year with the Pirates. Pittsburgh bumped him from the roster in May, and he landed with the division-rival Reds. He performed very poorly with Cincinnati, leading to a late August release after he spent a couple months on the injured list with an elbow sprain. Boston signed Feliz to a minors deal before quickly selecting him back to the majors amidst COVID-19 spread throughout the clubhouse that left the bullpen shorthanded. With most of their key relievers back, the Sox waived Feliz themselves and he landed in Oakland.
Between the four clubs, the right-hander has worked twenty innings of 7.20 ERA ball. He’s posted fine strikeout and walk rates (24.4% and 7.8%, respectively) but the fly-ball specialist has been too prone to the home run ball and hard contact in general.
Prior to this season, Feliz spent a few years as a higher-strikeout, higher-walk relief option with the Astros and Pirates. The average velocity on both his fastball and slider are down a couple ticks from their 2016-17 peak, but he’s still generated swinging strikes on a decent 12.7% of his offerings this season.
Feliz will wind up back on waivers in the next few days. There’s less than a week remaining in the regular season, and he is ineligible for postseason play because he’s been let go after August 31. Feliz wouldn’t have much time to make an impact on a potential new club this year, although he would be controllable via arbitration next season if another team wants to put in a claim and tender him a contract. If he clears waivers, Feliz would have the right to elect free agency and get a slight head start on his hunt for a new opportunity next season.
He’s going for Oliver Drake’s record. He’s running out of time though
Well the Orioles need arms, legs, bodies, especially in the Bullpen
So why not give Feliz a swing
He meant so much to the city and fans… fly high, A’s legend Michael Feliz
Roller Coaster? He never got up that first hill, lol.
Did the Mets win the World Series? Asking for a friend (Metsfan22).
Not until the missed WAR is added up
or is that misappropriated WAR…
Lots of proof but hopefully Felix stays with the A’s and proves himself next year. There will be plenty of vacancies for sure within the Oakland’s pitching staff.
Beane will find better replacements then Feliz, he is one of the best at doing that for cheap. Let Feliz go, his style of pitching doesnt play these days, to many homers
Had hopes for barerra but he had a rough season in a favorable hitting environment in Vegas. But the throwing arm, defense and speed are supposedly 60-70 tools. Not much power though. If they trade laureano this off-season Skye bolt, barerra and buddy Reed are all athletic and above average defenders. Whether they hit enough is an issue
No Feliz days for Neftali either. DFA’d by LAD twice after just as many scoreless outings.
Looking forward to the REAL possibility of Sea.and Tor
CLAIMING BOTH WC SPOTS!
Both Bos and Nyy fall out of it!
No prospero ano or felicidad for him.