The Texas Rangers avoided arbitration with right-hander Neftali Feliz on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year deal for 2015.
According to Lone Star Ball, the Rangers and Neftali Feliz agreed to a one-year deal worth $4.125 million for the 2015 season, thus avoiding MLB arbitration.
More from MLB
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle
- MLB Rumors: Insider names Braves’ most likely player to be traded
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers reunite with familiar face in Red Sox deal
Feliz had a bumpy year last year, but finally appeared to be nearing his old form consistency in the last month of a woeful season for the Rangers. He is under team control through 2016 and is expected to compete for the closer job this season.
After the Rangers traded Joakim Soria late last season, Feliz took over in the closer role and really started to shine. He grabbed 13 saves and posted an ERA of 1.99. He made 30 relief appearances after spending much of 2014 in the minors as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.
Feliz ranks fourth in Rangers franchise history with 87 saves and opponents have only hit 1.79 against him, which is good for the lowest number in Rangers history among pitchers with at least 200 innings.
The main question about Feliz was his decreased velocity after surgery.
However, as he got more pitches under him in the closer’s role, his fastball slowly crept back up to the upper 90s. Once his velocity and location got more consistent, he was able to more reliably finish games.
Feliz has been with the Rangers since 2009 and had his best years in 2010 and 2011 as a bullpen arm. He pitched in 70 and 64 games respectively in those seasons and had an ERA under three in both years as well. In 2012, the Rangers attempted to convert him into a starter, but he only ended up starting seven games, during which he posted a 3.16 ERA. He ended up having Tommy John surgery to prematurely end his season. In 2013, he appeared in six games, all losses by the Rangers, but he had a 0.00 ERA in those games.
In 2014, Feliz didn’t appear until July after spending most of the season in the minors. His form gradually got better as the season went along.
According to ESPN Dallas, the Rangers are looking to avoid arbitration with a few more players, specifically left-hander Robbie Ross and first baseman/DH Mitch Moreland. They exchanged salaries with the club on Thursday.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle