Updated at 8:41 a.m., Thursday, January 31, 2008
Baseball: Feliz, Phillies finalize $8.5M, 2-year contract
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — Free-agent third baseman Pedro Feliz and the Philadelphia Phillies finalized an $8.5 million, two-year contract today.With the option and performance bonuses, the contract could be worth up to $15 million over three years.
"We said from the beginning of our offseason that we would try to improve the club in any way we could," assistant general manager Ruben Amaro said in a statement. "We feel that with the acquisition of Feliz, we have helped to solidify an already productive infield. "Pedro is an above average defender who will provide some overall balance to our lineup."
Feliz hit .253 with 20 homers and 72 RBIs for San Francisco last season.
Last year, Philadelphia's third-base trio of Greg Dobbs, Wes Helms and Abraham Nunez batted .255 with 11 homers and 76 RBIs. Dobbs and Helms are still on the roster.
Feliz had spent his entire career with the Giants. The eight-year veteran has been a full-time starter since 2004, averaging 21 homers and 84 RBIs.
Feliz, who turns 33 on April 27, is a career .252 hitter with a .288 on-base percentage.
The NL East champion Phillies also added outfielders Geoff Jenkins and So Taguchi and pitcher Chad Durbin as free agents this offseason. They acquired closer Brad Lidge and utility man Eric Bruntlett in a trade with Houston.
