MLB: Chicago Cubs, White Sox Engaged in Bidding War for Dexter Fowler?
The market for free agent outfielder Dexter Fowler is starting to take shape with two Chicago teams interested in signing him. According to CBS Chicago, both the Cubs and White Sox are monitoring the development of Fowler's market value as he is one of the remaining quality outfielders left unsigned.
The 29-year-old turned down a one-year, $15.8-million qualifying offer from the Cubs this offseason, opting instead to take a gamble on free agency filled with big name free agents in his position. Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Gordon, Jason Heyward and Justin Upton all signed multiyear deals this month despite a slow market for them.
"The Cubs are still the most likely landing spot for Fowler. He should have taken the Cubs' qualifying offer and moved into the free agent class of 2017," one baseball executive said.
The report noted that if the Cubs sign Fowler, they can play him at center and move Jason Heyward to his natural right field position. The team still has Jorge Soler who they can trade this offseason for additional pitching help.
Fowler is reportedly well-like inside the Cubs' clubhouse as a good example for the team's young core. He was also given great confidence by Joe Maddon that helped him hit a career-high of 17 home runs and 46 RBIs while leading off the lineup. He also has a career on-base percentage of .363, per Baseball Reference.
As for the White Sox, CBS Chicago mentioned that the plan is to have Fowler play center field and move Adam Eaton to right field. They also want to have him at the top of the lineup with Eaton for a one-two punch of players with high OBPs to set up the momentum of the game.
The White Sox reportedly offered contracts to Cespedes, Gordon and Upton, but was turned down leaving them with the option of signing Fowler instead. The team from the Southside of Chicago is looking for additional hitters to improve their third-worst offense in MLB last year.
MLB.com has also named the Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers as teams best fit for Fowler. The Angels are in need of a leadoff hitter, a corner outfielder and left-handed hitter that are all attributes of the 29-year-old.
The Cardinals are still looking for a replacement for Jason Heyward, who bolted for Chicago, leaving them with a young outfield core of Randal Grichuk, Tony Pham and Stephen Piscotty platooning with veteran Matt Holliday. On the other hand, the Rangers have been quiet this offseason and could use an additional outfielder in their roster.
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