Dexter Fowler, Cardinals announce deal
Dexter Fowler has agreed to a long-term deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Last winter, Dexter Fowler was faced with a difficult decision — accept a short-term and extremely team-friendly contract with the Baltimore Orioles or bet on himself and take a one-year deal. After returning to the Chicago Cubs for a year, Fowler made the All-Star team for the first time in his career, won a World Series, and made himself a whole lot of money. Friday morning, the terms of the center fielder’s new five-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals were announced.
Source: Fowler deal with #STLCards: Five years, $82.5M, full no-trade.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2016
It’s safe to say Fowler’s bet on himself paid off in a big way. He has now guaranteed himself $95.5 million including last season and the next five years. Had he taken the $33-million offer from the Orioles, he would have had no chance at earning that type of money. A career-best .393 on-base percentage in 2016, along with a slugging percentage of .447, which was his best outside of Coors Field, helped up his value as a free agent this offseason. For his career, Fowler is a .268/.366/.422 hitter with a reputation as a good speed/on-base combo at the top of a lineup.
The Cardinals will surrender a first-round draft pick to sign Fowler, but they have their answer in center field and at the leadoff spot. Randal Grichuk will now move to left field, taking some of the pressure off defensively.
Next: 50 Best Teams Never To Win The World Series
This move will only serve to add further intrigue to the fierce Cubs-Cardinals rivalry. Last offseason, Chicago poached Jason Heyward and John Lackey away from the Cards. Now, St. Louis returns the favor, nabbing Fowler, who was very productive and a big key to the Cubs World Series title. The Cardinals and Cubs open the season next year on Opening Day.