In mid-December, when the crosstown rival Yankees signed Mets’ lefty specialist Pedro Feliciano to a two year, $8 million deal, the front office was criticized for letting him walk. Now, roughly four months later, it is looking like quite the smart move by Sandy Alderson who elected to pass on Feliciano.
Feliciano had experienced a sore tricep that put him on the DL at the start of the season. However, it wasn’t until Wednesday that an MRI revealed a torn capsule in his left shoulder, an injury that will likely require surgery, which would sideline him until spring training of 2012.
Feliciano said today that he is leaning towards having the surgery so he is most likely not going to see any action in 2011.
Feliciano, who has appeared in 266 games from 2008-2010 with the Amazins’, has been one of the most reliable middle relievers in the game the past few seasons. Setting a single season record for appearances in 2009 and breaking his own record in 2010, he was seen by some as overworked and publicly called by Yankees GM Brian Cashman “abused” by the Mets. It is highly possible the reason the Mets chose to part ways with Feliciano is that they believed they the 34-year old southpaw’s arm may have hit its peak.
Regardless, the final result is that the Mets will receive a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds for losing Feliciano and the Yankees have $8 million invested in a mid-thirtes reliever who is probably out for season. Score 1 goes to Sandy Alderson.
