Report: Cardinals interested in Dexter Fowler |
Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler told ESPN on Thursday night that he has decided to decline his mutual option with the Cubs in 2017 which will make him a free agent. Fowler has strong interest from the Cardinals, Giants, and others with his impressive season spearheading the Cubs offense.
"I'm definitely going to be a free agent, but hopefully it happens a little bit quicker than last year," Fowler said on ESPN's 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." Fowler had a mutual option for $9 million if he and the team had agreed for the 2017 season. The Cubs could still extend a one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer to Fowler but they have several younger players that are vying for playing time and that is a high price to pay for a veteran outfielder. He batted .276 with 13 homers, 48 RBIs, and 13 steals this season and was named to his first National League All-Star team. However, his numbers do not tell the tale of his play, leadership, and how great of a teammate he was during his time with the Cubs. Cubs CF Dexter Fowler, who will become a free agent, could stir up a bidding war between #STLCards, #sfgiants and others.
