3 under the radar free agent reliever options for the Cubs

3 under the radar bullpen options for the Cubs: #2 – Michael Fulmer

Michael Fulmer came up in 2016 as a promising rotation piece for the Detroit Tigers. After winning AL Rookie of the Year, he was an All-Star in 2017. Unfortunately, the injury bug started coming after him, and he wound up missing all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery.

Now 29 years old, he has reinvented himself into a sneaky good reliever. In his last two seasons between Detroit and Minnesota, he pitched to a 3.17 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, 14 saves, 134 strikeouts and 48 walks in 133 1/3 innings. His four-seam fastball and sinker dial in around the mid-90s. He has gone much more slider-heavy recently, while also mixing in a curveball and changeup.

Fulmer could be a really solid setup option. Last season he appeared in the eighth inning more than any other frame, with hitters slashing .177/.283/.275 against him in that situation. He is no longer under team control and will be an unrestricted free agent this winter.