In a press conference earlier today, the St. Louis Cardinals announced the signing of former Cub, World Series champion, and fan-favorite Dexter Fowler.
Deep exhale.
While it was certainly hard to watch him put on the red and white uniform (he’ll wear #25, because #24 is retired), Cubs fans can take some solace in the fact that at least Fowler got downright paaaaaid.
Not a year after free agency took him (essentially) into Spring Training, Fowler has signed a five-year deal with the Cardinals worth $82.5 million, and it reportedly comes with a full no-trade clause. The deal he turned down last season with the Orioles (just before returning to the Cubs on a one-year, prove-it type deal) was for just three years and $33 million. He did good.
[adinserter block=”1″]
I watched the press conference and took some notes, so let’s do a bit of a bulleted style recap of some of the things he said. And just in case you still can’t believe it, believe it:
Again, the final deal for Fowler was five years/$82.5 million, which works out to a bit over $16 million per year. Over five years, that’s just a fantastic deal for Fowler. In fact, that average annual value is actually the highest on the Cardinals for anyone not named Adam Wainwright, so you can bet the Cardinals really wanted him. And if it makes you feel any better, it sounds like they really had to work for it.
[adinserter block=”2″]
When asked what the market was like for Fowler, he responded that there were definitely a number of interested teams, but at the end of the day he had to go with his gut and that led him to the Cardinals. With that said, he added that he was prepared to stretch out the negotiations as long as necessary considering what he went through last season, to which Cardinals GM John Mozeliak immediately quipped, “It felt like that to me.” There was also an uncomfortable anecdote shared, wherein Mozeliak was struggling to get Fowler on the phone, to which Fowler said he was “in a dentist chair.” It sounds funny, but the tone and subsequent, “Yeah, that was a first for me,” from Mozeliak afterwards was definitely unusual. [Brett: It’s hard to describe exactly, but I’d agree with Michael here – there were strangely awkward moments sprinkled throughout.]
But to be fair, it does sound like Mozeliak and the rest of the Cardinals just really wanted Fowler. He was apparently their focus from day one of the offseason, and they were extremely relieved and excited to get a deal done. From their perspective, the addition of Fowler was important in two ways. On the field, Fowler will increase the team’s athleticism, provide a top of the order hitter (so that Matt Carpenter can move down), and add another confident base runner. Off the field, the Cardinals know that Fowler is a student of the game who has evolved as a person and a player over the past few seasons, that he wants to be a leader and have a voice in the clubhouse, and that he is going to be a big part of the community. I agree with all of the above.
[adinserter block=”3″]
On why/how he chose the Cardinals, Fowler offered the ole “culture” story. He called St. Louis a baseball city, adding that every time you come here you see red everywhere. They have a winning culture and a strong chance to return to the World Series, so that’s where he wanted to be.
And if you’re thinking, “BUT DEX, SO DO THE CUBS!”, it might not have been as simple as that. The door to the Cubs, it seems, was not entirely open. With that said, Fowler was unbelievably proud of his time spent in Chicago, and was appreciative of the call the front office gave him before the Jon Jay signing was reported (that’s pretty classy). For what it’s worth, he added that neither Jason Heyward nor John Lackey impacted his decision either way.
In 2017 and beyond, Fowler expects to play center field for the Cardinals, but suggested that if there was another, better player he’d gladly move over to a corner to do what’s best for the team. “If I’m not good in center, trust me, I’ll move over.” He also added that he believes in his skills as a center fielder after playing in the spacious park in Colorado and the windy center-field of Wrigley. I don’t see that happening anytime soon, but he was asked about it more than once, so there ya go.
On leading off, Fowler is confident (as we know), because he’s done it his entire career. He knows that getting on base is what matters most and even brought up the “You go, we go,” mantra that Joe Maddon coined in Chicago (no, those aren’t tears on my cheek, I was just cutting an onion while writing this article, okay?).
[adinserter block=”4″]
On whether Fowler intends on changing the Cardinals’ culture or embracing it (I have no idea why there were so many questions about culture, but whatever), Fowler explained that he can be a quiet, reserved, and thoughtful teammate, but also that he has his own personality and won’t be afraid to show it. “If I go in a clubhouse, we’re gonna have fun. Win, lose, or draw, let’s have fun.”
On facing the Cubs on Opening Day, Fowler said it’ll be bittersweet, suggesting that “now, they’re [the Cubs] the rival,” but they’re still his boys.
And finally, with Fowler in the fold, Mozeliak and the Cardinals only plan on adding complementary pieces to the roster. No more “boulder-moving” transactions are expected. To be fair, the Cardinals did add a nice reliever (Brett Cecil) and a solid center fielder (Fowler), spending over $100 million in the process. They’re not going to let the Cubs just run away with anything, so be prepared for a fight – a fight led off by Dexter Fowler in red.
Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL.
In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy.
You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami
Brennen Davis made his return to Triple-A last night, and of course, he managed to smack a three-run home run in an 8-2 win for the Iowa Cubs. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report |...
CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs won again last night, which means they've already won the season-series against the still-struggling Astros. Justin Verlander will be on the bump for today's finale, but he'll have to go up against the mighty Javier...
It's a pretty big day for the Chicago Bears, eh? For the second year in a row, they own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Only this time, they actually plan to use it (and on a quarterback,...
That's a geographic mouthful right there, and it underscores what an interesting signing this is. Stray signings throughout the year are not uncommon, particularly as injuries accumulate down on the farm and the Chicago Cubs have the ability to take...
Once a month since August of 2016, my friends and I get together for "Supper Club." It's like book club, but instead of reading books, we go to a different restaurant in the city. Last night, we hit our 77th...
The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...
For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...
What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....
So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...
CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...
The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2024 offseason with the familiar feeling of championship aspirations. Dak Prescott is healthy, the skill positions are loaded, but the offensive line, once a strength, is in flux. With the 24th overall pick in the...
With the invigorating spirit of a new baseball season upon us, igniting hope and anticipation within fan communities, it's the perfect time to embark on a unique exploration: a 2024 MLB Mock Draft. Numerous mock drafts meticulously analyze potential player...
The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are playing in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 3 up next.The Knicks beat the 76ers 104-101 on Monday when they last met. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in the...
At 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic, with Donovan Mitchell needing four trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Donovan Mitchell's Three-Pointer Prop...
On Thursday at 7:00 PM ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Caris LeVert's 3-pointer over/under for this matchup requires just one trey.Caris LeVert's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...
To beat his 3-point prop, Josh Hart needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks meet the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, tipping off at 7:30 PM...
The New York Knicks face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Knicks' Jalen Brunson drains three 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Jalen Brunson's Three-Pointer...
To beat his 3-point over/under, Donte DiVincenzo needs to make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks play the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, beginning at 7:30 PM ET.Donte...
To beat his 3-point prop, Joel Embiid needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Philadelphia 76ers meet the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, starting at 7:30...
The Philadelphia 76ers play the New York Knicks at 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires four trifectas from Tyrese...
NEWSLETTER
