CHICAGO -- Scott Feldman just might be one of the most attractive pitchers available when contending teams come calling to the Chicago Cubs over the next eight weeks.
The veteran right-hander won his fifth game of the season after allowing two earned runs in six innings in a 9-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Feldman is 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA in his last seven starts and entered Wednesdays game with a 1.33 ERA at Wrigley, the fourth-lowest home ERA in the National League.
Signed to a one-year contract in the offseason, the former Texas Rangers pitcher was promised a real opportunity to become a starter again by president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer.
"I was thankful for the opportunity to come here and play," Feldman said. "To get to pitch in front of these fans is a lot of fun. On top of that I am with a good group of guys. We are playing pretty well now so hopefully we can keep it going."
Feldman may have mixed emotions when trade talks start to heat up over the next month.
"He is one of those pitchers that you don't get that excited about unless you watch him over a period of starts," said an American League super scout. "He has really commanded his pitches this season and you see the confidence and consistent outings from him."
The Cubs may be reluctant to trade Feldman but realistically if he brings back a top young player a deal could be beneficial to both parties.
The 30-year-old Feldman, who has thrown six quality starts in his last seven outings, appears to have regained his 2009 form when he won 17 games with the Rangers.
"It is still early in the season," Feldman said. "I feel healthy and that is really what I am thankful for. Hopefully I can just go out there every five days and do my job."