Tales and Takes: Dexter Fowler Re-Signs With the Cubs
- Feb 25, 2016
- 2 min read
Dexter Fowler will not sign with the Baltimore Orioles. In fact, Fowler has now re-signed with the Chicago Cubs. The deal is a one-year pact.
Fowler's contract also has a mutual option with the Cubs for 2017. The center fielder rejoins the Cubs after spending the 2015 season with them. He batted .250 with a career-high 17 home runs and 46 RBIs.
Fowler was linked to a deal with the Orioles. Many different media outlets including, but not limited to MASN, ESPN, and CBS Sports announced that a 3-year deal was done, pending a physical.
However, it ended up not being the case. Fowler will return to the Cubs. Chicago already has Jorge Soler, Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward in the outfield and one can only wonder how Fowler will split his playing time.
"We feel good about our outfield mix,'' General Manager Theo Epstein said. "It takes more than three guys.''
To make room for Fowler on the 40-man roster, the Cubs have placed left-handed pitcher Zac Rosscup on the 60-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation.
"This is where my heart is,'' Fowler told reporters.
My Take
I'm taken aback as to why Fowler would want to go back to the Chicago Cubs. With the Orioles, he would've had a guranteed starting position in right field and more money. However, he spurned the Orioles to give the Cubs a sizeable discount and possibly less playing playing time.
The Orioles have got to rebound from this setback. They have now lost a player who was supposed to be their starting right fielder and leadoff hitter. Whether they look inside the organization for their guy is yet to be known. Chris Davis may or may not get a bunch of starts in the outfield.
As for the Cubs, they are loaded. They have four starting outfielders. Absolutely astonishing. Didn't see it coming and Cubs fans should be happy with this move. They are loaded.
Twitter @KyleAndrews1994
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