Another of the moves Luhnow has been hinting at dropped today, as the Astros signed Scott Feldman to a 3 year deal with 30 million dollars. Feldman is 31.
Feldman was a Ranger up until last year, when he signed a one year deal with the Chicago Cubs. He was traded mid-season to the Orioles, and apart from a horrific last start to the season, pitched very well for them, ending the year with a 3.86 ERA and a 12-12 records. The year before was a bit rougher as far as the ERA went, but his peripherals were roughly the same. In fact, he has had a FIP between 3.80 and 4.00 the past three years, and that is roughly what we can expect from him in Houston.
Feldman will serve to solidify the rotation with a veteran presence, which has been one of the goals of the off season. Its not an overly exciting signing, but Feldman is a good pitcher, and 10 million per year seems to be the going rate for those this off season.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
