Rangers sign Feldman to extension

The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has signed right-handed pitcher Scott Feldman to a contract extension through 2012, with a club option for 2013. The deal includes a new contract for 2010, which supersedes a one-year deal previously agreed to on January 29. No financial terms were disclosed, per club policy.

“We’re excited to commit to Scott as a core member of our club for years to come,” said General Manager Jon Daniels. “Our goal is to build a Championship Team around quality players & individuals who work hard to improve themselves, the team, and our community. Scott fits with that perfectly.”

Feldman, 27, was named the Rangers’ Opening Day starter on Saturday. With a start on Monday vs. Toronto, he would become just the 5th pitcher signed and developed by the Rangers to make an Opening Day start for the club. The others were Jose Guzman (1986), Kevin Brown (1994), Kenny Rogers (1995, 2000, 2004), and Rick Helling (1999, 2001). Feldman was originally selected by Texas in the 30th round of the 2003 June draft.

Feldman was last season’s Rangers Pitcher of the Year after going 17-8 with a 4.08 ERA in 34 games/31 starts in 2009, his first full major league campaign. Just 4 major league pitchers had more wins than Feldman last year, including only 3 in the American League. His 17 wins were the most for any Texas pitcher since 2004 and most by a Rangers right-hander since 1999. He also had the 7th-highest winning percentage (.680) in the American League, the 10th-best single-season mark in club history (minimum 10 decisions). He tied for the major league lead with a club-record 12 road wins last year, and set a team record with 8 consecutive wins in road starts from July 10-Sept. 9.

As a starter, Feldman was 17-8 with a 3.79 ERA last season. He ranked among A.L. starters in opponents slugging percentage (3rd, .359), home runs per 9 innings (6th, 0.74), and opponents OPS – on-base plus slugging – (7th, .673). He was just the 3rd pitcher in team history with 17-or-more wins in 31-starts-or-less. He has the most wins (23) and quality starts (31) of any Texas pitcher over the past 2 seasons, this despite not being a full-time member of the rotation in that span.

After rising quickly through the Rangers system as a sidearm-throwing reliever, Feldman was converted to an overhand starter prior to the 2008 season. The Bay Area native was drafted out of College of San Mateo (Calif.).

With today’s signing, Feldman joins Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, and Colby Lewis as Rangers signed beyond the 2010 season.

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