Editorials

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.



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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Gabe Burns

Gabe Burns is an award-winning journalist. He serves as a reporter and editor at the DodgersNation news desk. He additionally works as editor-in-chief of The Spectator, Valdosta State University's student paper. Gabe's work has been featured on a number of platforms, including Draft Breakdown and Pro Football Spot. His byline has been cited in media such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Aside from covering Dodgers baseball, Gabe enjoys watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Lightning. He can be followed on Twitter at @GabeBurns_DN.

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