PITTSBURGH -- Former American League Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract.
The 27-year-old right-hander, who became a free agent last month when Detroit failed to offer a 2016 contract, is 15-12 with a 3.17 ERA and 97 saves in 246 big league appearances.
He was 1-2 with a 4.58 ERA in 18 appearances for the Rangers last year, became a free agent in July after he was designated for assignment, then signed Detroit last July and went 2-2 with a career-worst 7.62 ERA in 28 1/3 innings.
Feliz was the Rookie of the Year with Texas in 2010, when he was an AL All-Star and had 40 saves. He had Tommy John surgery is 2012.
Feliz can earn $300,000 in bonuses for relief appearances: $30,000 for 40 and each additional four through 76. He also can make $250,000 for games finished: $50,000 each for 35 and each additional five through 55.
Pittsburgh is searching for depth in the bullpen after Joakim Soria signed with the Kansas City Royals. To make roster room for Feliz, the Pirates designated catcher Tony Sanchez for assignment.
