MLB News: Chicago Cubs Re-Sign Dexter Fowler In Surprising Fashion

The Chicago Cubs have re-signed outfielder Dexter Fowler to a one-year contract worth $8 million, that also includes a $9 million option and $5 million buyout for 2017, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.

Left-handed pitcher Zac Rosscup has been placed on the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster.

It’s a surprising move, to say the least, as the soon-to-be 30-year-old Fowler reportedly agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles. However, Bruce Levine of 670score.com reports that Fowler asked for an opt-out after one year, and the Orioles refused, causing the deal to fall through.

“My heart is here,” Fowler told reporters after surprising his Cubs teammates at Spring Training camp. “The Cubs, they treat me with the utmost respect and with the offseason moves they have made, you gotta go with where you’re comfortable.”

Fowler, who hit.250 with 17 HR, 46 RBI, and 20 SB last year, confirmed that he left a three-year offer from another team (the Orioles) on the table to re-sign with the Cubs. He added that a verbal agreement was never given to the Orioles.

MLB Network’s Jon Heyman adds that the Orioles did not want to risk losing a draft pick — which would have been required as Fowler rejected a qualifying offer this offseason — for a player that might opt-out after just one season. The Orioles would have given up the compensation pick they received when left-handed pitcher Wei-Yin Chen signed with the Miami Marlins this offseason.

The Orioles also agreed to sign pitcher Yovani Gallardo but that didn’t happen without controversy. Originally agreeing to a three-year, $35 million deal, the Orioles reportedly found an issue with Gallardo’s shoulder. Thus, the team called off its original agreement and successfully agreed to a restructured two-year, $22 million contract with an option for 2018.

With the current system the way it is, many productive and talented free agents are often stifled as teams are reluctant to part with their draft picks. Speaking to reporters (including Gonzales), Fowler called the system “flawed” and said that “it needs to change.”

With Fowler back in the fold, the Cubs now have a lot of positional flexibility in their outfield. Prized free agent acquisition Jason Heyward can slide over into his usual spot in right field. While Heyward has experience in center field, he is a three-time Gold Glove winner as a right fielder.

Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber will likely split time in left field. Soler, originally penciled in as the Cubs’ right fielder before the team re-signed Fowler, becomes the de facto odd man out. While Soler has shown power and defensive prowess at the MLB level, Schwarber, and his monstrous home run power will be hard for the Cubs to keep out of the lineup.

Also, young power threat Javier Baez and offseason acquisition Ben Zobrist supply the Cubs with a surplus of outfield depth. But, it helps that the team traded one of its outfielders.

Approximately half an hour before the Fowler signing was announced, the Cubs announced a trade sending outfielder Chris Coghlan to the Oakland Athletics for pitcher Aaron Brooks. A former Rookie of the Year in 2009, Coghlan was expected to be the Cubs’ fourth outfielder in 2016.

“This is it, we’re not trading anyone else,” Cubs’ GM Theo Epstein told reporters at a press conference. “We feel great about our outfield mix. It takes more than three guys.”

Looking ahead to 2016, injuries and other unforeseen circumstances could possibly hamper the Cubs’ roster. However, Epstein revealed that the team will be able to make moves during the season if there’s a need.

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

[Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images]