It's Official: Feliciano Is a Yankee

The Yankees and Pedro Feliciano finalized their 2-year, $8 million deal yesterday, officially making the left-handed pitcher and former Met a Yankee. The deal also includes a $4.5 million option for 2013.

Feliciano joins Boone Logan as the lone lefties in the Yankees' bullpen.

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Feliciano, Yanks Agree to Deal

Via Yankees.com:

The Yankees' search for lefty relief has reportedly brought them to one of the most durable relievers in baseball. 

On Friday, the club agreed on a two-year contract with southpaw Pedro Feliciano, according to several media reports. Jon Heyman of SI.com and MLB Network, who first reported the deal, wrote that the contract is valued at $8 million and includes a third-year option. 


The Yankees declined comment on the deal, which isn't official until he passes a physical, and Feliciano's agent could not be reached by MLB.com. 

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Yankees Close to Deal With Pedro Feliciano

Bob Klapisch of Fox Sports tweeted this morning that the Yankees are close to securing a deal with LHP Pedro Feliciano. This update is the latest on the Yankees-Feliciano front as there have been rumblings of the two sides working on a possible signing since the Winter Meetings.

Feliciano will add another viable lefty arm to the Yankees' bullpen. In 2010 with the Mets, he pitched in 92 games, having a 3-6 record with a 3.30 ERA and WHIP of 1.53. He's a solid pitcher with a 88 mph sinker and sharp slider that allows him to neutralize left-handed batters. He's lead the league in appearances for the past 3 seasons, so he is a work-horse, but at age 34, there should be some caution as to decreasing his innings. 

I'm all for this signing. Hopefully he's looking for a reasonable deal, which in my opinion would be for no more than two years at around $8-$9 million.

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Yankees Hot Stove: Tidbits

Here are the latest notes from the Yankees Hot Stove front:

According to New York Post's Joel Sherman, the Yankees have communicated with at least 12 free agents thus far. This list includes, Cliff Lee, Mets RHP Pedro Feliciano, Rays closer Rafael Soriano, and of course, Jeter and Rivera. Other teams have shown interest in trading for Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and possibly Nick Swisher.

The Yankees have inquired about Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton. Upton hit .273 with 17 homers and 69 RBIs in 2010. He has approx. $42.7 million left of a $51.25 million contract thru 2015. Yankees aren't really in need of an outfielder, so this may just be them doing due diligence.

Boston Red Sox's Bill Hall has peaked the Yankees interest as a possible utility player.

As per Brian Cashman, Ivan Nova stands a good chance of becoming the 5th starter in the rotation. According to Bleacher Report, Cashman believes this could be the case even if they don't sign Cliff Lee or if Andy Pettitte decides to retire. This might mean bad news for AJ Burnett.

Eduardo Nunez, Ramiro Pena, Juan Miranda and Brandon Laird could all play a bench role next season according to Cashman. 

Yankees are still interviewing for a pitch coach to take Dave Eiland's former job. Thus far, Yankees' bullpen coach Mike Harkey and Oakland A's pitch instructor Gil Patterson, have gone through the rigorous test Cashman has devised to screen applicants. Yankees Triple-A pitch coach, Scott Aldred, is expecting to be taken through the paces this week.

The Texas Rangers "upped the ante" on the Cliff Lee Sweepstakes this past Monday by visiting the southpaw at his home home in Arkansas. No question the Rangers are trying to retain their ace, but the Yankees still seem by many to be the clear favorite to bag the "The Assassin."

Stay tuned...

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