Neftali Feliz, who was dropped by the Rangers in July and then non-tendered by the Tigers in December, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that the contract is worth $3.9 million, which is a pretty solid payday and just slightly less than Feliz was projected to make via the arbitration process if the Tigers had kept him around.
It’s also a nice landing spot for a formerly great closer who hasn’t been the same since blowing out his elbow in 2012, as the Pirates and pitching coach Ray Searage have shown an ability to turn around the careers of other veteran pitchers.
Feliz still throws hard and is only 28 years old, but he posted a 6.18 ERA in 48 innings last season and has a total of just 64 strikeouts in 84 innings since returning from Tommy John surgery. He figures to begin the season in a setup role for the Pirates.