Cardinals trade Fowler to Angels

Dexter Fowler is reuniting with his former manager Joe Maddon in Los Angeles.

The St. Louis Cardinals traded the veteran outfielder along with cash to the Angels for a player to be named later, the team announced Thursday.

Fowler spent two seasons under Maddon with the Chicago Cubs before signing a five-year, $82.5-million deal with the Cardinals in 2017. He's set to enter the final campaign of his contract in 2021, when he'll be paid $16.5 million. The Angels will only be responsible for $1.75 million of that, with St. Louis covering the remainder.

"We are extremely grateful for everything that Dexter has done for us over the past four years, both on the field and with his generous work in the community," Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in a statement.

The switch-hitter slashed .233/.317/.389 with four home runs in 31 games last season while playing right field. He hit 23 home runs and recorded 26 doubles while adding nine stolen bases across 181 games over the last two seasons.

Fowler will likely play right field for the Angels, giving the club additional depth until top prospect Jo Adell is ready to be a full-time major leaguer.

The trade comes days after the Cardinals acquired star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies, resulting in a tweet from the team's account earlier in the day that didn't age well.

The salary St. Louis saved on the deal could be used to re-sign catcher Yadier Molina, or to add pitching help. Dealing Fowler also clears playing time for Harrison Bader, Dylan Carlson, and Tyler O'Neill in the Cardinals' outfield.

"With the expectation that we will have plenty of competition in the outfield this season, and with Dexter's approaching free agency, we felt that this deal made the most sense for all parties," Mozeliak said.