*Photo from MLB Trade Rumors*
In the middle of a rebuild, the Texas Rangers took the epitome of a low risk high reward candidate to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. The Rangers and RHP Mike Foltynewicz have agreed to a one year contract worth $2 million, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. There are also incentives that can add another $500,000 to the deal. The Rangers have confirmed the contract.
Up until now, Foltynewicz had spent his entire career in an Atlanta Braves uniform, with a total record of 44-42 with a 4.33 ERA, striking out 655 hitters in 686 innings pitched in 138 games, 113 of which were starts, in his 7 major league seasons. Foltynewicz was an all star in 2018 as the Braves won the NL East that season, the first of currently 3 straight division titles.
After that all star season, however, it has been a downhill fall for Foltynewicz, as he struggled mightily at the start of 2019, being sent down to Triple A for a considerable spell. After he was called back up, he returned to form, pitching like the all star seen in 2018. He then got the start for the win or go home game 5 in the NLDS, only to implode in the first inning, as the Cardinals scored 10 times in that inning to knock out the Braves.
In 2020, it only got worse for Foltynewicz. In his first start of the season, he lasted just 3 1/3 innings, getting shelled for 6 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks before being taken out of the game. After, he was sent down to the team's alternate training site, where he remained for the rest of the season, and was non tendered by the Braves in December.
Foltynewicz will likely compete for the last spot in the starting rotation in Texas, with Kyle Gibson, Dane Dunning, Jordan Lyles, and Kohei Arihara likely filling up the other 4 spots. Foltynewicz could also become sort of a swingman type player, being used as a starter and as a multi inning reliever out of the bullpen.
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