Sure, the New York Yankees had already signed a pitcher in Mark Prior, however let’s not count that. The Prior deal is a minor league contract. After losing out on Cliff Lee, the Yankees appeared as though they would focus on improving their bullpen.

Signing Pedro Feliciano is a step in the right direction. Left-handed batters hit just .211 against the left-handed pitcher last season when Feliciano was a member of the New York Mets bullpen.

The 34 year old did not allow a home run in 139 matchups against left-handed batters. The Yankees needed a reliever that could come out of the bullpen and get a tough lefty out. With the Boston Red Sox having lefties David Ortiz, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford in their lineup, Feliciano should be very important for New York.

Feliciano led the National League in appearances the past three seasons, all with the Mets. The durable pitcher finished the 2010 season with a 3.30 ERA in 62 2/3 innings.

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