Pedro Feliciano made his major-league debut with the Mets on August 15, 2002, and since then hasn’t thrown an inning for any other big-league team — even though he was once claimed off waivers by Detroit, released during that same off-season, then signed again by the Mets. (He also spent the 2005 season in Japan.) But Feliciano’s days in Flushing could be numbered: His agent says he’s declined the Mets’ offer of arbitration and will become a free agent.
And though he could potentially re-sign with the club, the Mets aren’t likely to be very aggressive on the free-agent market. (He’s a Type B free agent, so they’d receive a sandwich pick if he signs elsewhere. For what it’s worth, his agent says he’s not ruling out a return to the Mets.) As for finding another lefty in the bull pen — as opposed to actually replacing him, considering Feliciano has made a league-high 266 appearances over the past three years — Mike O’Conner, who pitched well last year for Buffalo and signed a new minor-league deal yesterday, could compete for the job in spring training. And at least one writer today makes the case for the job to go to — hear him out — Oliver Perez.
Pedro Feliciano to decline arbitration [ESPN New York]
Mets LHP Pedro Feliciano declines arbitration, becomes free agent [Star-Ledger]