NEWSLETTER
As the Chris Coghlan trade and Dexter Fowler signing happened wholly unexpected and insanely fast, there was an awful lot of confusion going around the web. With one breath, Brett told me to stop what I was doing and immediately write up Aaron Brooks – the return for Chris Coghlan – and then immediately after, I had to stop once again to edit and update everything as the story continued to unfold.
So let’s step back and check in on everything that just went down, how it went down, and what it means.
First and foremost, you might recall, Dexter Fowler had reportedly agreed to a 3-year, $33 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles just the other day. It was a fine deal for Fowler and all was well at Cubs Camp. The Cubs were about to get their second round pick back, they still had Chris Coghlan to rotate into the outfield, and they were loosely connected to Austin Jackson.
But then, today, out of nowhere, the Cubs traded Chris Coghlan to the Oakland A’s for right hander Aaron Brooks.
Which led to a (incorrect) prediction that was just moments too soon, although the sentiment was correct:
Apropos of nothing, this could pave the way for Austin Jackson, of course. https://t.co/w42CmaULEH
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) February 25, 2016
But that wasn’t to be, because Theo Epstein, Dexter Fowler, and the Chicago Cubs had something very different planned for our otherwise normal Thursday afternoon.
After the contract particulars begun to shake out, we eventually learned that Dexter Fowler had actually re-signed with the Chicago Cubs on a one-year deal that will pay him $8 million in 2016, and has a $9 million mutual option ($5 million buyout) for 2017. So, then, it’s basically a one-year, $13 million contract, with a highly-unlikely option for 2017.
But what happened with the Orioles? Everyone, including Anthony Rizzo, was under the impression that Fowler had signed a deal with Baltimore guaranteeing him $33 million. Here’s what Fowler, himself, had to say about that:
Dexter said he left a 3 yr guaranteed deal on the table because his "heart is here" with #Cubs.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 25, 2016
there was no fowler agreement with orioles, both sides say now. unusual to take $13M over $33M but nothing wrong with it.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 25, 2016
word on fowler is he insisted on an opt-out with orioles after 1 year. o's didnt want to do it #cubs
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 25, 2016
orioles didnt want to lose 1st round pick for a 1-year player #fowler
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 25, 2016
Duquette said he didn't know until today that Fowler was signing elsewhere. Opt out clause was the killer for #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) February 25, 2016
After Orioles reports surfaced last two days, Theo said Fowler's agent called to say nothing to them. No agreement in place.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 25, 2016
Dexter said he feels he has unfinished business here with #Cubs. Said he saw KC win World Series and thought "that should've been us".
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 25, 2016
Fowler drove in from Vegas last night. Took a late night physical. Cubs dealt Coghlan then boom Fowler surprises teammates. No one knew
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 25, 2016
Apparently, there had also been some desire (From Fowler’s camp) to include an opt-out in the deal and the Orioles were not interested in making such a concession (especially at the expense of a lost draft pick). Together with Fowler’s apparent desire to be back with Chicago and the not “officially-official” deal with Baltimore, Dexter Fowler is once again a Chicago Cub.
For more on the re-signing of Dexter Fowler, Mark Gonzales provides video of Cubs President Theo Epstein discussing it:
Theo Epstein on re-signing Dexter Fowler (video) https://t.co/4gghda2JBc
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 25, 2016
More from Epstein:
Theo said Coghlan deal was necessary to make Fowler deal possible for $$ reasons as well as playing time considerations.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 25, 2016
Theo: "The way we were able to structure the (Fowler) contract, we’re still able to preserve our in-season flexibility."
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 25, 2016
Well get much deeper into the particulars of who will play where, how time will be split up and the rest of the fallout for the Cubs, but here are some close thoughts on the transition from Coghlan to Fowler:
Soler could get time in LF, Heyward RF and CF.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 25, 2016
Theo: We feel good about our outfield mix. It takes more than three guys."
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 25, 2016
So best bet at this moment is a quasi-platoon with Soler and Schwarber in left but Schwarber behind the plate some isn't dead obviously.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 25, 2016
But Theo stressed everyone will move around. Heyward some in CF as well
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 25, 2016
For what it’s worth:
2016 STEAMER:
Coghlan: .247/.328/.388 .5 WAR
Fowler: .253/.350/.395 1.8 WAR— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) February 25, 2016
With Maddon at the helm, I am perfectly confident that the Cubs will make their fantastic group of outfielders work. Lastly, this:
Second time the Cubs swooped in at the last second this winter to snag a FA player this winter — they stunned NYM by landing Ben Zobrist.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 25, 2016
It has been one crazy afternoon, and we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface on the fallout of this move. At least now, we know what happened.
Now fun stuff:
THIS is the year #FowlersHowlers #Cubs @MLB @Cubs pic.twitter.com/AhGj5toTb7
— Dexter Fowler (@DexterFowler) February 25, 2016
Theo, Dexter and Arrieta: pic.twitter.com/ufrhlN1IGZ
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 25, 2016
#Cubs Fowler and Maddon pic.twitter.com/2sIywph34x
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 25, 2016
And the video that will make you smile the biggest smiles:
#Cubs fans … If this doesn't make your day, check your pulse! @DexterFowler is back: https://t.co/VMMrdz7Rs6https://t.co/D6xYCHu403
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 25, 2016
Brett Taylor contributed to this post.
