Scott Feldman

After struggling through four April starts, Feldman was relegated to bullpen duty for most of 2016. The 33-year-old right-hander managed a solid 2.90 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 26 appearances (five starts) for Houston, but stumbled after being traded to Toronto on Aug. 1 and was used sparingly down the stretch. Overall, the veteran finished with 6.6 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 rates -- both of which were better than Feldman's career averages of 5.6 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. He signed with Cincinnati over the offseason, which should help his fantasy prospects given their lack of established rotation options. However, this move to a hitter's paradise and the absence of swing-and-miss stuff should temper any excitement about Feldman heading into 2017 even after landing a rotation spot.

In his second season of a three-year deal with the Astros, Feldman was limited to 18 starts due to a torn meniscus that sidelined him for a month-and-a-half during the summer and a subsequent right shoulder strain that ended his season in early September. When he was healthy, the veteran right-hander delivered modest results, going 5-5 with a 3.90 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 108 innings, albeit with a terrible 5.1 K/9. Entering the final season of his contract, Feldman will presumably occupy a back-end rotation spot for Houston once healthy, which he'll have the opportunity to prove during spring training.

Signed to a three-year deal last offseason to temporarily serve as Houston's "ace" in the starting rotation, Feldman finished 2014 as the third-best pitcher on the Astros' staff, well behind Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh. No matter, because the veteran right-hander realistically served his purpose as a rock-solid innings eater (180.1) with decent ratios (3.74 ERA, 1.30 WHIP). His strikeout rate (5.3 K/9) was terrible, but he didn't issue too many walks (2.5 BB/9) and he kept the Astros in games more often than his 8-12 record would suggest. Feldman is once again a safe bet to open 2015 in the Astros' rotation, but most likely he'll be the No. 3 or No. 4 starter as opposed to the ace of the staff.

The Cubs signed Feldman prior to the 2013 season and got a lot out of him. The move to the National League did not bring an increase to his strikeout rate, but Feldman won seven games for the Cubs while carrying a 3.46 ERA (3.83 xFIP) over 15 starts before he was traded to the Orioles. Landing in a much more hitter-friendly home run environment did not help matters, and Feldman's walk rate (3.1 BB/9) jumped while he delivered a 4.27 ERA over his 15 starts with Baltimore. When things are going well, Feldman induces a lot of weak contact and a heavy supply of groundballs, enabling him to limit the damage of balls in play and subsequently, leaving him with a low BABIP. Feldman's 49.6 percent groundball rate in 2013 was his second-highest mark over the past six seasons, and he'll temporarily serve as the ace in Houston after signing a three-year deal with the Astros in December.

Texas' ill-advised three-year contract extension following Feldman's fluky 2009 finally ran out, and he became a free agent when the Rangers declined a $9.25 million option for 2013. The Cubs opted to give Feldman a one-year deal in November, while his xFIP the last two seasons (3.72, 3.87) suggest that he's pitched better than the results might otherwise indicate. With a career-high 7.0 K/9 and improved 2.3 BB/9, Feldman could prove to be undervalued if moving to the National League brings another uptick in his strikeout rate.

Feldman spent the early part of the season recovering from offseason microfracture surgery on his troublesome right knee. He surfaced for a few token relief appearances and two spot starts as the season waned, and his chances of making any sort of impact in the Texas rotation in 2012 have been eliminated with the emergence of Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and Alexi Ogando (not to mention Neftali Feliz's conversion to starter). Texas is now left with a $4 million middle reliever who doesn't miss bats often enough to be tasked with high-leverage innings.

Thud. Texas decided to anoint him as the Opening Day starter and sign him to a three-year contract extension in early April on the heels of his 17-win "breakout" season the year prior. A cursory glance of his peripherals screamed "fluke" louder than a stadium of vuvuzelas, and Texas now faces the problem of an expensive and ineffective long reliever. Cliff Lee's departure via free agency could open up a rotation spot for Feldman again, but it will be out of necessity and not want.

Feldman was a surprise 17-game winner for Texas on the heels of a season where he posted a 5.29 ERA and a poor 74:56 K:BB ratio over 151.1 innings the year prior. His peripherals in his breakout season were better but still pretty poor (5.36 K/9IP, 1.74 K/BB). He benefited a great deal from Texas' improved infield defense particularly at shortstop with Elvis Andrus, but his post-break numbers (4.34 ERA, 1.382 WHIP) were a step back from his early-season numbers. He pitched well over his head last season, though he should remain as a serviceable innings eater as long as Andrus remains healthy. Don't even think about bidding with expectations of a repeat performance.

Feldman was asked to make 25 starts in the majors, which should tell you everything you need to know about Texas' pitching in 2008. He fanned just 74 batters and walked 56 in 151.1 innings, though he seemed to be one of manager Ron Washington's favorites when dolling out the praise. We all have our vices, whether it's chocolate, alcohol or the like. Washington's seemed to be for Feldman and pitchers of his ilk.

Feldman shuttled back and forth between the minors and majors in 2007, and pitched poorly when called upon. How bad? How about 44 hits and 32 walks in 39 innings?

Feldman spent 2006 shuttling back and forth between Triple-A Okahoma City and the majors, striking out 30 batters in 41.1 inning in the majors. He's expected to play a similar role in 2007.

Texas rewarded Feldman with a brief call-up after a decent year at Double-A Frisco. He keeps the ball on the ground, and effectively pounds the strike zone, but won't have a large role in the Texas bullpen in 2006.