Pedro Feliciano Declines Arbitration From Mets

LATEST UPDATE!!! 

Pedro Feliciano has officially declined salary arbitration from the Mets according to Ken Davidoff of Newsday and confirmed by Adam Rubin of ESPN.

By the way, Feliciano still can negotiate and re-sign with the Mets if the Mets still want him.

Original Post 9:00 AM

Pedro Feliciano has until midnight tonight to decide whether to accept or decline the team’s offer of salary arbitration.

If he accepts, Feliciano will remain with the Mets, and will get a significant raise from the $2.9 million he earned last season, potentially topping $4 million.

If Feliciano, a Type B free agent, declines and signs elsewhere, the Mets will receive a compensatory draft pick.

A few sources believe he will accept.

Original Post 11/27 11:45 PM

According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, Pedro Feliciano‘s agent Melvin Roman says that his client is “seriously considering” accepting the Mets arbitration offer by this Tuesday deadline.

Much has been made of the burnout theory first mentioned by Jon Heyman who thinks Feliciano poses a huge risk for arm trouble as soon as this season. On the contrary, I only see Feliciano as a dependable and durable reliever who is still one of the most effective left-handed relievers in the league.

At 34-yeas old, Feliciano is far from done and nothing in his past would suggest that he has been worn down by the tremendous workload the Mets have handed him.

Last season, he earned $2.9 million dollars and he could win up to $4 million in arbitration or at least $3.5 million which I see as the Mets offer.

In 2010, Feliciano posted a 3.30 ERA and led the major leagues with 92 appearances. He has now led the National League in appearances for each of the past three seasons.

Whatever happens, the Mets are either going to get another solid season from Feliciano, or they will enjoy a compensatory draft pick in next June’s MLB Draft. Not a bad situation to be in.