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It's been officially announced by the Cubs; another starting rotation slot has been filled. The team is loading up on righthanders named "Scott":
#Cubs and RHP Scott Feldman have agreed to terms on a one-year contract. Feldman has pitched for the #Rangers over the last 8 seasons.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 27, 2012
When Scott Feldman was originally drafted, very few would have given him much of a chance to have a long MLB career; he was a 30th-round pick of the Rangers in 2003. But he was in the major leagues just two years later, posting a 0.90 ERA in eight relief appearances in 2005.
Since then his track record has been mixed; he had a pretty good year for Texas in 2009, going 17-8 with a 4.08 ERA, 1.281 WHIP and 114 ERA+. He had knee surgery in 2011, but came back to have a decent season, partly as a starter and partly in relief, and pitched reasonably well for the Rangers in the 2011 postseason (except in the World Series, where he was pretty bad.
In 2012, he was healthy, but not that great: 29 appearances, 21 starts, with a 5.06 ERA and 1.383 WHIP. The Cubs are hoping the transition to the National League will help those numbers improve; here are the contract terms:
RHP Scott Feldman signs 1-year deal with #Cubs for $6 million with $1 million in incentives
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) November 27, 2012
This is another "take a flyer" signing, in my opinion; better than having Jason Berken or Justin Germano in the rotation, but far short of being any sort of impact signing. Feldman will turn 30 in February.
There's the nuts and bolts. Have at it.