Dexter Fowler opts out: 5 potential landing spots
Dexter Fowler has opted out of his contract with the Chicago Cubs. Here are five potential landing spots for the free-agent outfielder.
As expected, Dexter Fowler will not exercise his player option for 2017 with the Chicago Cubs. After one of the more interesting and controversial free agencies in recent years, Fowler signed a two-year deal with the Cubs during Spring Training last year. Both sides knew that barring a catastrophic injury, Fowler would not be exercising his $9 million option for the 2017 season.
Fowler was on the verge of signing a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles last winter, but made an 11th-hour return to the Cubs after his deal with the Orioles fell apart. In his second season in Chicago, Fowler made his first All-Star team and batted .276/.393/.447 with 13 home runs and 13 stolen bases. The centerfielder produced several big hits in the 2016 postseason and homered to lead off Game 7 of the World Series.
The Cubs hung the qualifying offer on Fowler last offseason, and the draft pick tied to signing him slowed down the market for his services. Chicago could very well hang the offer on him again this year, but after an even better 2016 season, Fowler’s market should prove hotter this time around. Here are the five teams who could be in the bidding for the 30-year-old outfielder.
5. Chicago Cubs
Fowler stated that he would not rule out another return to the Cubs, but a reunion could be complicated. The Cubs re-signed Fowler when it became evident that he would be willing to settle for a one-year contract. This time around, Fowler will likely take no less than a three-year deal.
The Cubs love Fowler and he clearly loves the Cubs, but his fit with the team in the future is murky. Next year, Joe Maddon will have to find at-bats for Kyle Schwarber, Javy Baez, Ben Zobrist, Jorge Soler, and Willson Contreras. Adding Fowler back into that mix clogs things up even more. The team’s 2012 first-round pick, Albert Almora is also banging down the door, and batted .277 in 47 games during his rookie year. Almora has very little left to accomplish in the minor leagues.
Unless a trade is made, the Cubs may be unable to fit Fowler into their long-term plans. There were more at-bats and innings to go around in 2016 because Schwarber missed the entire season with a knee injury. The Cubs would likely take a mulligan on signing Jason Heyward to an eight-year deal and make Fowler their right fielder, but it doesn’t work that way.
Chicago can afford to bring Fowler back, and they may once again take the approach of figuring things out as they go along. The lineup needs a leadoff man capable of reaching base at a .400 clip, and few can match Fowler’s well-rounded, patient approach at the plate. Despite all of the roster and playing-time implications that come with re-signing Fowler, the Cubs should be viewed as the most-likely suitors.