The Texas Rangers are clearly unsure of what role they want to utilize Neftali Feliz in for 2011. Should he start? Should he close? That dilemma puts his value for fantasy owners a bit in question.
We all know the talent he has. He proved it in ’10 working as the closer when he compiled a 2.73 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 71 K and 40 saves over 69.1 innings of work. If he remains in the bullpen we all know that he is going to be one of the elite options in the league and a solid pick on draft day. However, what happens if the Rangers ultimately decide that Feliz brings more value to the team in the rotation? Are we 100% sure that he is going to be anything that even resembles those numbers (obviously, highly unlikely)? Having been limited in 2010, how many innings will he even be able to pitch?
So, the question for tonight is how are you currently valuing Feliz? How early are you willing to spend a draft pick on him? How much money are you willing to pony up at your auction?
I think the Rangers are somewhat split between elements of front office and the pitching coach on one side of the equation arguing to stretch him out at starter, and Ron Washington pushing to keep him at the back of the pen.
I expect (80%) that he’ll start the season in the bullpen, but if he stays stretched, there’s a chance they could send him down to AAA (15%?) to get starts under his belt, and smaller (5%) that he could beat out Derek Holland or Tommy Hunter for a spot in the rotation coming out of Spring Training.
Even though by April, I’d be surprised if Feliz wasn’t officially the closer, I may have to draft him without that info, and he will fall on my board as a result, I’d take him before Joe Nathan, around the 15th, if the current stance is status quo, so I doubt he’ll fall to me…