Royals Sign Pedro Feliz to Minor League Deal

Former Phillies, Giants and (briefly) Astros and Cardinals third baseman Pedro Feliz signed a minor league contract with the Royals for $800,000 and a $200,000 bonus if he makes the major league roster.

Dayton Moore said it’s a “depth” move, citing injuries to Mike Aviles and Alex Gordon in the past that left the Royals short of infielders. Personally, I hope that’s all it turns out to be.

Nothing against Feliz personally. There’s just not much need for a 35-year-old corner infielder who’s never posted an on base percentage higher than .308. He has a career walkrate of 5.1%. So he has Jeff Francoeur edged in that category at least.

Career Stats:

Year	Age	Tm	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
2000	25	SFG	7	2	0	0	0	0	.286	.286	.286	.571	50
2001	26	SFG	238	50	9	1	7	22	.227	.264	.373	.637	67
2002	27	SFG	153	37	4	1	2	13	.253	.281	.336	.617	66
2003	28	SFG	249	58	9	3	16	48	.247	.278	.515	.793	102
2004	29	SFG	531	139	33	3	22	84	.276	.305	.485	.790	100
2005	30	SFG	615	142	30	4	20	81	.250	.295	.422	.717	85
2006	31	SFG	644	147	35	5	22	98	.244	.281	.428	.709	79
2007	32	SFG	590	141	28	2	20	72	.253	.290	.418	.708	80
2008	33	PHI	463	106	19	2	14	58	.249	.302	.402	.705	81
2009	34	PHI	625	154	30	2	12	82	.266	.308	.386	.694	82
2010	35	TOT	429	89	12	2	5	40	.218	.240	.293	.533	46
2010	35	HOU	304	64	12	1	4	31	.221	.243	.311	.555	52
2010	35	STL	125	25	0	1	1	9	.208	.232	.250	.482	32
11 Seasons	4544	1065	209	25	140	598	.250	.288	.410	.698	80
162 Game Avg.	565	133	26	3	17	74	.250	.288	.410	.698	80

SFG (8 yrs)	3027	716	148	19	109	418	.252	.288	.433	.721	84
PHI (2 yrs)	1088	260	49	4	26	140	.259	.306	.393	.699	81
STL (1 yr)	125	25	0	1	1	9	.208	.232	.250	.482	32
HOU (1 yr)	304	64	12	1	4	31	.221	.243	.311	.555	52

Here’s the best way to sum up Feliz’s career – even when he was good (2003), he was barely average (102 OPS+). I can’t imagine a scenario short that puts Feliz on the field at Kauffman Stadium. His 2010 numbers show that Father Time has caught up with him – and smacked him around a little in the process.

The article does suggest that Mike Aviles will be the starting third baseman for part of 2011 at least. What happens from there is anyone’s guess. The Royals have Wilson Betemit coming off a solid season and have an ongoing love affair with Chris Getz as well, so once Mike Moustakas makes his debut in Kansas City, something’s gotta give.

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