Fallen Royalty joins Braves organization

rico43

rico43

<B>Director of Minor League Reports</B>
"King Felix," Felix Hernandez, who most Seattle Mariners fans bid farewell with a standing ovation last year, has decided that 15 MLB seasons aren't enough. Despite a steady decline that hit rock bottom in 2019, he has signed a minor league deal that would only guarantee him $1 million should he make the squad.

That's a far cry from the seven-year, $175 million contract he signed with the Mariners in 2013 -- then a record for a pitcher. The 2010 Cy Young winner, however, could not maintain an all-star level into his 30s. The first three years of the deal -- 2013-15, Hernandez went 12-10, 15-6, 18-8 with an ERA title in 2014 of a minuscule 2.14. But beginning in 2016, the slippage was apparent: 11-8, 3.82; 6-5, 4.36 in only 16 starts; 8-14, 5.55; and last year 1-8, 6.40 in 15 starts.

For his career, Hernandez is 169-136. Should he somehow be healthy, it's worth noting that he's only 34 years old.
 
Felix hasn't done anything since 2015, he was OK in 2016 before falling off a cliff, but we're a new organization, he could I think still be a good reliever. While his fastball is kind of garbage now compared to where it was. Maybe if he was pitching less he'd regain a MPH or 2. Curveball and Slider are still pretty effective. He could be a decent middle bullpen guy. Though I don't think he'll accept that even on a new team like ours.
 
The problem with guys like Hernandez is they come with expectations based on their pitching history. If he comes in here and puts up a 4.95 ERA in 85 innings, people will be annoyed that he didn't at least somewhat resemble his old form. In reality, the standard for a number 5 starter in the league is really low.

If Felix can come in, eat a few innings, perhaps do some mop up work in the pen, maybe make some spot starts down the stretch, and maybe give some young players more time in AAA, he'll have done his job.
 
Crazy but Felix has never pitched in the playoffs. Hopefully he has a good year and can at least sit on the bench during the playoffs like Tehearn.
 
The Chosen One said:
Crazy but Felix has never pitched in the playoffs. Hopefully he has a good year and can at least sit on the bench during the playoffs like Tehearn.
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Dude, he doesn't have a thing left. And he's stubborn, still cocky as hell and not a rocket scientist.

I keep hearing that Anibal figured it out. Anibal is smart, humble and had impeccable command.

If Felix makes it to even serviceable I'll eat my shoe. He specializes in throwing at least 6-8 pitches per outing 89, middle-middle.

That worked when he was throwing 97 at the top of the zone. He still thinks he is. This is four years now.
 
I will eat his other shoe if he makes it. I hope we have better options than that washed up duche come opening day. If not I will he seriously worried about our chances. If I was other teams I would instruct all my hitters to look terrible against him in spring training just so the Braves would be give him starts in the regular season. Then sit back and laugh.
 
bravesfanMatt said:
I will eat his other shoe if he makes it. I hope we have better options than that washed up duche come opening day. If not I will he seriously worried about our chances. If I was other teams I would instruct all my hitters to look terrible against him in spring training just so the Braves would be give him starts in the regular season. Then sit back and laugh.
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Will you be grilling that shoe or slow roasting it.....? Lol...but yeah...Ewww.
 
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