The Chicago Cubs signed Dexter Fowler to a one-year, $9.5 million deal before the 2015 season to add some veteran experience to a team dominated by youngsters. After Fowler helped the franchise reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008, he departed for the American League's Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney initially reported Fowler signed a three-year deal. Roch Kubatko of MASN confirmed the move.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the contract is worth $33 million over the three years.
Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com added, "When Fowler deal is confirmed, the Cubs get the Orioles' 28th pick in the 2016 June amateur draft."
Fowler hit .250 with a career-best 17 home runs as a leadoff hitter with some pop in his bat for the Cubs. He also stole 20 bases and worked a career-high 84 walks, which was seventh-best in the National League. His ability to draw those walks despite a mediocre batting average helped him score a career-high 102 runs as he set the table for sluggers such as Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber.
Fowler’s durability was particularly important in Chicago last season. He played 156 games on a team that was fluid in the outfield around him, as Jorge Soler dealt with injuries and Schwarber, Bryant and Chris Coghlan played a variety of positions.
Alas, Baltimore offered Fowler this contract, which means he is no longer a leader within the youth movement on the North Side of Chicago. He also rejected the Cubs’ one-year qualifying offer worth $15.8 million early in the offseason, per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.
Now that Fowler has a new contract, he can turn his attention toward improving his defense before Opening Day. According to FanGraphs, he posted a minus-12 mark in defensive runs saved last season even though he did use his speed to cover ground and make a handful of flashy plays.
While Fowler has room for growth defensively, Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com described why he is such a critical addition to the Baltimore outfield:
The Orioles have a notable need in the outfield, as mainstay Adam Jones is the only surefire source of production in the current group. Korean slugger Hyun-Soo Kim has the upside to be an everyday left fielder, based on his track record in the KBO, but he’s untested in Major League waters. The right field picture is even murkier, with Nolan Reimold, Ryan Flaherty and Mark Trumbo as 40-man options and non-roster invitees L.J. Hoes, Xavier Avery and Alfredo Marte also in the mix. Trumbo, though, profiles more as a designated hitter and has traditionally been a defensive liability in the outfield.
The Orioles appear to be in win-now mode this offseason, and the addition of Fowler is just the latest indication. They also brought back catcher Matt Wieters, reliever Darren O’Day and first baseman Chris Davis, in addition to the acquisitions of Trumbo and Kim.
There is plenty of pop in that order, and Fowler gives Baltimore a leadoff man with the ability to get on base ahead of the sluggers and the speed to parlay hits into runs.
The Orioles certainly have their work cut out for them in a difficult AL East division that features 2015 playoff teams in the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees, as well as a Boston Red Sox squad that added David Price this offseason.
Fowler still theoretically has a handful of productive seasons ahead of him, as he's only set to turn 30 in March. Ideally, he will become a veteran clubhouse leader for the Orioles and a source of speed and power at the top of the lineup.
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