We’re getting close to that point in the off-season when pitchers and catchers reporting are only a few weeks away; and if you’re still a free agent then you’re most likely not getting that much money.
Dexter Fowler is the best outfield free agent still available. Most teams that needed an outfielder have taken care of that problem already. Where’s Dex going? A better question: what was he thinking?When the Cubs offered Dex the qualifying offer of $15.8 million, I (selfishly) wanted him to accept it, merely as a holding place for Almora. Little did we know the plan was signing Jason Heyward.
The off-season went on and on as Heyward signed, then Alex Gordon and Denard Span, then Justin Upton, then Yoenis Cespedes. They all fell, and Dex was just sitting there.
A couple weeks back I discussed that Dex made sense for the White Sox, and even mentioned how the Cubs could still be in the mix in spite of signing Heyward (but I don’t love the idea of trading Soler to make room).
Yesterday, Bruce Levine wrote that the Cubs and the White Sox are two teams still showing interest in the to-be-30-year old center fielder who will most likely need to be moved to a corner position sooner rather than later.
Fowler’s improved power numbers in 2015 surely took a hit to his consistent OBP history, and his hitting from the left side of the plate wasn’t anything to smile at. However, it’s hard to argue his value to a team (not just the Cubs or White Sox, but to anyone). The Cubs know his value, specifically, and his familiarity with organization would indeed help the club.
He should’ve accepted the QO when it was offered.
Obviously, hindsight is nice. How could he know he wasn’t going to get a four year deal worth around $60-70 million? He’s worth every penny of that. However, he’s now stuck in the position of possibly looking at a one year deal, as Levine suggests in his piece.
There’s been different rumors flying around the off-season about the White Sox – they need to add a couple more pieces to compete, they’re right there, OR they’re going to shut it down and do an entire rebuild. Fowler only serves one of those agendas for them.
I maintain my stance signing Dex could feel good for us fans who loved him, but it all but guarantees (probably) Soler is traded. Is it worth risking that? The Cubs already have a solid outfield core with Coghlan and Szczur off the bench.
A one year deal with the White Sox could make the most sense. It gives them another year to decide what they want to do, along with seeing if Avisail Garcia can bounce back from his dreadful 2015 campaign.
It’s a shame it has come to this for Fowler, and as much as I would love to see him in Cubs pinstripes again, if it’s down to the Sox and Cubs, I think it benefits both him and the club if he chooses the South Side.
*picture is courtesy of intheivy.com
