After winning his first World Series, Dexter Fowler is ready to cash in during free agency.
Fowler’s no stranger to making shrewd free agent decisions. He chose to re-sign with the Chicago Cubs late in spring training after being close on a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Fowler’s last-minute change turned out to be a great career choice, as he started during the Cubs World Series run, homering twice against the Indians on route to the title.
Fowler told ESPN he hopes to return to Chicago but is excited to be a free agent.
“I’m definitely going to be a free agent, but hopefully it happens a little bit quicker than last year,” Fowler said Thursday evening during an appearance on SportsCenter. “You can’t control what goes on, but I loved my time in Chicago and I’m definitely not counting them out, but we’ll see what God has planned for us now.”
The Cubs surely would love to retain Fowler, but his contract is going to be huge. The 30-year-old is coming off an impressive season, hitting 13 home runs, stealing 13 bases while hitting .276 with a .393 OBP. Fowler gets on base, can switch-hit and is a capable outfielder. There will undoubtedly be interest in his services league-wide.
Chicago has former first-round pick and World Series hero Albert Almora ready for MLB duty, but at 22, he still might not be ready. Re-signing Fowler to a two or three-year deal would be ideal for the Cubs. But, considering Fowler has a chance to get serious money on a long-term deal, a reunion isn’t guaranteed.
[ESPN]
