Fowler spurns Orioles, agrees to 1-year deal with Cubs
Although he reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles earlier this week, Dexter Fowler unexpectedly changed course Thursday and agreed to terms with the Chicago Cubs on a one-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2017.
Fowler, who enjoyed a career year with Chicago in 2015, was seemingly set to finalize a three-year, $33-million deal with Baltimore as of Wednesday (pending a physical), but confirmed Thursday from the Cubs' spring complex that he "didn't give them a verbal agreement." According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, talks broke down after the Orioles refused to grant him an opt-out clause after the 2016 campaign, as they were unwilling to forfeit a draft pick to sign a player liable to leave after one season.
In lieu of a three-year deal with the Orioles, the 29-year-old reportedly took a one-year, $13-million guarantee from the Cubs that will pay him $17 million if his option is exercised, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
| Season | Salary |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $8M |
| 2017* | $9M |
*Mutual option contains $5-million buyout
"My heart's here," Fowler said. "I feel like the Cubs, they treat me with the utmost respect, and with the offseason moves they made, you gotta go with what's comfortable."
His affection for the north side of Chicago notwithstanding, Fowler likely would've had an easier time getting regular at-bats in Baltimore. Despite hitting .250/.346/.411 (107 OPS+) with a career-high 17 homers and 20 stolen bases for the Cubs last season, the club appears set in the outfield already, with the newly signed Jason Heyward poised to take over in center and youngsters Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber expected to handle right and left, respectively.
Fowler's new deal could enable manager Joe Maddon to get creative with his lineups, though, while also providing additional depth on the 25-man roster for a team seemingly set to start two players inexperienced in the outfield on a daily basis.
"It's good to be a Cub," said Fowler. "I do live in Vegas so you see up there all the time, Cubs, 4/1. It's exciting."