Texas Rangers: Bauer who? Team agrees with RHP Foltynewicz
![Oct 9, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA;Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (26) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning of game five of the 2019 NLDS playoff baseball series at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fnolanwritin-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F13489113-850x560-10a39d2c5f421e6985bbf0488f99f91c.jpg)
Mike Foltynewicz is looking to bounce back with the Texas Rangers.
No, the Texas Rangers didn’t get Trevor Bauer.
But don’t worry, we think they still made out pretty well on Friday.
Mike Foltynewicz was Atlanta’s number one starter during the 2018 season and was given a chance to keep the Braves’ season alive in 2019.
But after one rocky start in 2020 against the Rays, Folty was designated for assignment.
Foltynewicz wasn’t picked up by another club in 2020 and went into the offseason having three years of club control remaining.
Source: RHP Mike Foltynewicz is nearing a one-year MLB guaranteed deal with the Texas Rangers. Folty fell out of favor in Atlanta, would join Kohei Arihara and Dane Dunning as incoming rotation options in Texas. Rangers 40-man is full, so a corresponding move would be needed.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) February 5, 2021
The Texas Rangers got better with the signing of Mike Foltynewicz.
The Texas Rangers, in need of starting pitching depth, saw the opportunity and jumped on it late in the offseason as they near a Major League deal with the former All-Star.
This is the second controllable player the Texas Rangers have picked up in free agency this winter, as they signed David Dahl just a few months ago.
For Foltynewicz, this is an opportunity to get on with a young team in the midst of a rebuild and help rebuild his value.
Confirming @kileymcd report that Rangers are closing in on agreement with RHP Mike Foltynewicz. But nothing is ever official anymore until the hype video is released.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) February 5, 2021
With the Rangers, there is not a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He can come into camp, get in the rotation and just play baseball, whereas with Atlanta, they were in the midst of the shortened season playoff hunt and needed him to be a top-of-the-rotation arm.
For the Texas Rangers, Folty makes a lot of sense, even if he isn’t Trevor Bauer, who reportedly inked a massive three-year, $102 million contract with the LA Dodgers just shortly before.
The 29-year-old righty is controllable through 2023, was an All-Star three years ago and will slide directly into the back of the Rangers rotation.
He is experienced and can also help the development of the younger starters coming up, as well.
The Texas Rangers 40-man roster is currently full, so a corresponding move is expected to occur in order for him to be added to the active roster.