New York Yankees Go Across Town To Find a Reliever, Sign Pedro Feliciano

I wrote last week that now that the New York Yankees have moved on from Cliff Lee, they would look to improve their bullpen instead of their starting rotation. True to form, the Yankees found themselves a reliever to help counteract the recent left-handed acquisitions by the Boston Red Sox.

The Yankees signed former New York Mets LHP Pedro Feliciano to a two-year, $8 million contract. The deal includes an option for 2013.

This is a very good signing by the Yankees for a couple of reasons. None of which are because he has the same birthday as me (Aug. 25).

First, Feliciano has a rubber arm. If you watched the Mets over the last three years, it seemed like Feliciano was in the game every day.

Over the last three years, no pitcher in baseball has appeared in more games than Feliciano. He has appeared in 266 games over that time frame, which is 28 more than the next guy, Carlos Marmol.

Second, Feliciano can get lefties out. Lefties hit just .211/.297/.276 with no HRs in 139 PAs against Feliciano in 2010. The Yankees have Boone Logan as a lefty in the pen, but Feliciano will be the first out against a tough lefty in 2011. I think Logan proved to everyone he wasn’t ready for prime time after his meltdown in the ALCS against the Texas Rangers.

Just for fun, here is how Feliciano has fared against the left-handed batters in Boston’s lineup in his career…

David Ortiz: 0-for-1

J.D. Drew: 1-for-3 with two Ks

Adrian Gonzalez: 3-for-15 with eight Ks

Carl Crawford: 0-for-2

So to add that up, the four big lefties in the Boston lineup are 4-for-21 with 10 Ks against Feliciano throughout their career. The Yankees are hoping Feliciano continues his success against these batters in pinstripes.

The Yankees added Feliciano to their bullpen mix and I don’t think they are done. I could be dead wrong, but I just have this funny feeling that Rafael Soriano will end up in the Bronx.

I could see him signing a one-year deal in hopes that he has another stellar year and the market opens up for him next winter. Right now, the market for Soriano to be a closer is pretty bare.

For those of you wondering why the Mets didn’t attempt to re-sign Feliciano, the answer is simple. The Mets will get a supplementary first-round pick for the loss of Feliciano.

To a team that will be in no-man’s land in 2011 (around a .500 team. Nothing more, nothing less), draft picks and filling up the farm system with talent is vital at this point.

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