Dodgers Rumors: Los Angeles Interested in Neftali Feliz
The Dodgers are “considering” free agent Neftali Feliz for an eighth inning role, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
L.A. has been searching for bullpen upgrades. Joe Blanton is unsigned and the path to Kenley Jansen isn’t clear. Feliz is an experienced late-inning reliever who’s coming off a bounce back season.
#Dodgers looking for right-hander who can pitch 8th inning; Neftali Feliz is among the options they are considering, sources say. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 6, 2017
Feliz would be an asset to the Dodgers in more ways than one. He had 72 saves in his first two MLB seasons before fading away. He took on a setup role in Pittsburgh a year ago and pitched well.
[graphiq id=”a5recUGBWYZ” title=”Neftali Feliz Career ERA, WHIP and K/BB” width=”600″ height=”523″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/a5recUGBWYZ” ]
He may receive the chance to close from another team, but in any other event the Dodgers are a logical fit. Feliz could take a one-year deal, collect back-to-back strong seasons as a setup man, then almost certainly earn a closing job somewhere in 2018. Feliz went on record at the end of last season that he wanted to be a closer again.
Feliz’s fastball averaged 96.1 miles per hour last season as a validation to his rebound. He pitched in 62 games before being shutdown for arm “discomfort,” though there’s no signs of that lingering into 2017.
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