Chicago Cubs: Mike Foltynewicz stands out as ideal free-agent target

While the Ricketts family may be loosening up the purse strings a bit, the Chicago Cubs are clearly still working within a tight budget this offseason. If they are going to make significant improvements over the offseason, they are going to have to take a chance on undervalued players who bring some high upside to the table.

The Cubs have consistently been connected to low-cost starting pitchers who come with plenty of risk, but could get back on track and help the team immediately. Guys like Jake Arrieta, Chris Archer, Jeff Samardzija and Carlos Rodon all fit the bill here, and each makes plenty of sense for the team, but Mike Foltynewicz stands out as the most logical target for the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs should set their sights on an ideal pitching target.

Foltynewicz is a former top prospect who had a lot of success with the Atlanta Braves early in his career. His best season came with the Braves in 2018, where Foltynewicz started 31 games, had an ERA of 2.85 and struck out 202 batters in 183 innings pitched. Foltynewicz was an All-Star in 2018, but it has all been downhill ever since.

At his peak, Foltynewicz consistently threw his fastball in the high 90s but his velocity has consistently dipped the last two seasons. This has led to back-to-back poor seasons for the young right-hander and the Braves designating him for assignment last summer. If Foltynewicz cannot get his velocity back (seems unlikely at this point), he has to learn how to get batters out in other ways.

Foltynewicz threw for MLB teams on Friday and was reportedly hitting 90-92 on the radar gun. Not bad for the middle of winter. If Foltynewicz can get that fastball up just a bit more and learn how to use his sinker and change-up as more effective weapons, he certainly has a chance to get his career back on track.

When it comes down to it, Foltynewicz is only 29-years-old and the Chicago Cubs undoubtedly have innings available to give him a chance to get his career back on track. He is far from a perfect free-agent target, but Foltynewicz stands out as a strong bargain bin option for the Cubs.