Chicago Cubs sign left-hander Pedro Feliciano to minor-league deal

The Chicago Cubs signed former New York Mets lefty Pedro Feliciano to a minor-league deal, that would be worth $700,000 should he make the Opening Day roster, according to Fox Sports Jon Morosi.

The Mets found plenty of work for Feliciano, mostly as a situational lefty, which led to him leading the league in appearances in 2008-2010. Although he exceeded 60 innings in only one of those seasons (62 2/3 in ’10), the workload took its toll as he’s dealt with injuries ever since.

He went from the Mets, to the Yankees system, back to the Mets for a brief return to the Majors in 2013, then off to the St. Louis farm system last year. He appeared in 25 games for the Mets in 2013, only pitching 11 1/3 innings.

Feliciano will receive an invite to Spring Training,but there’s really not much of a chance he breaks camp with the Cubs. There will already be a “jam” of lefties with Tsuyoshi Wada and Travis Wood, as well as Felix Doubront and Eric Jokisch in the mix.

At 38-years-old, it’s likely if he remains with the Cubs it will be as depth at Triple-A. The team would be better suited to avoid such a one-dimensional pitcher such as Feliciano, when they have guys like Wood or Wada who will have the ability to be stretched out a bit- depending which ends up in the bullpen.

But if he can find a way to be effective this spring, even if he doesn’t make the team, if the Cubs retain him he could always be good for a trade of possibly a low-level prospect. There’s always a need for left-handed pitching. But that’s wishful thinking for a 38-year-old that’s seen 25 games of action since 2011.

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