Dexter Fowler, Cardinals Agree On Five-Year Deal

Although the Cardinals did not partake in any trades during their four-day stay at the Winter Meetings, it did not take long after their return to St. Louis for them to continue their pursuit of a new center fielder.

Dexter Fowler, Cardinals Agree On Five-Year Deal

The team announced Friday morning that it had signed Dexter Fowler to a five-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed, although MLB Network Insider Ken Rosenthal reported that it was worth $82.5 million and includes a full no-trade clause.

“It was an honor just to be even considered to be in the Cardinals organization,” Fowler said at an introductory news conference on Friday. “I feel like this team has a chance to win the World Series, and that was a big part in coming here.”

Fowler will now take over for St. Loiuis in center, with Randal Grichuk likely shifting to left field. Fowler will take his physical in St. Louis on Friday.

The 30-year-old played a key role in the Chicago Cubs teams that combined for 200 wins in the past two seasons, and the leadoff man for the reigning World Series champions.

“From Day 1, this was always someone that we were hoping to sign,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. “When we talked a couple of nights ago on the phone, we explained to him how excited we are for how well we believe he’s going to fit into our lineup and fit into our clubhouse.”

Signing Fowler cost the Cardinals their first-round pick (19th overall) in the 2017 Draft, since the Cubs made him a qualifying offer. The Cardinals, in particular, had no interest in dealing top prospect Alex Reyes to address their outfield needs.

Fowler entered the free-agent market last offseason hoping to land a multiyear contract, but he struggled to do so due to the qualifying-offer system. Fowler instead returned to the Cubs under a one-year deal and delivered a fantastic season.

The center fielder hit 276/.393/.447 with 25 doubles, seven triples, and 13 home runs in 2016, walking 79 times in 125 games while setting a career high in on-base percentage (OBP).

“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,” Fowler said in an interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Nov. 3.

A year after the Cubs took two of the Cardinals’ free agents, Jason Heyward and John Lackey, St. Louis has returned the favor.

With an impressive career OBP of .366, Fowler would be an interesting leadoff option for the Cardinals, who could then place Matt Carpenter into more of a run-production spot in the lineup.

“One of the things we wanted to address was athleticism,” Mozeliak said. “We wanted to address someone who could hit at the top of the order if possible, to give us flexibility with Carpenter. And we were also trying to find someone that was extremely competent on the basepaths. And I think we were able to accomplish that.”

CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 29: Dexter Fowler #24 of the Chicago Cubs smiles as he jogs to first base after taking a walk against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on April 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)