Spring Stunner: Cubs Re-Sign Dexter Fowler to 1-Year Deal
The deal comes on the heels of numerous reports that the free agent outfielder had agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles earlier this week
By James Neveau ••
In a stunning turn of events, the Chicago Cubs have brought back outfielder Dexter Fowler as the team signed him to a one-year contract on Thursday.
The deal comes on the heels of numerous reports that the free agent outfielder had agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles earlier this week. Instead, the 29-year-old will return to a Cubs team that he helped push to their first playoff spot since 2008.
Melissa Balderas
Die-hard Cubs fans have loved their Chicago North Siders for what seems like forever. We asked viewers to send us their #TBT photos proving their years-long fandom. Got one? Show us! Send to isee@www.nbcchicago.com. Thanks to Melissa Balderas for sending us this shot!
Colleen Andersom
Cubs fans since 1988. Sibling photo summer of 1988 before heading to a Cub's game.
Brendan Bohan
Cubs fan baby pic from 1981. Go cubs go!! I'm a huge cubs fan from San Diego.
Ashley Chiko
Go Cubbies! Let's get that W tonight. -- Robert Brooker
Meredith Freedman
Me and my cousins at Wrigley in 1985.
Allison Bowden
My Brother, me, my mom and my grandparents 35 years ago. Thank you ! Go Cubs ! -Allison Bowden
Mike Gragnani
Me and my brother in 1992 at a Tuesday night game against St. Louis.
sue kirkton
Cubs fan since birth. This is my son at 9 months, now he's 25 and still a die hard Cubs fan living in "Cardinal" territory.
Pete Gibbons
1984 Cubs birthday cake.
Lawrence Skilnik
Me and Fergie chilling behind home plate in 1996.
Lawrence Skilnik
This is Dylan Skilnik's 7th birthday, April 5, 1999...you have learned much my young padewan!!!
Lawrence Skilnik
This is my son Dylan and me at the Tinley Park Little League Parade, April 1999.
Dawn Strand
Me and Harry Caray I was 12. Taken at the 1985 Die Hard Cubs Fan convention! Still have that signed ball!
Monique A. Muntner
Game day face @PNC stadium in 2009.
Kelly Farley
Me and Dad in '86 summer days of swimming and baseball!
Lauren Fiori
We started young! My younger brother Bryan and I at one of our first games!
Kristi Cann
Young, early-80s Cubs fans: Two young brothers who still bleed Cubby blue!
Paris Pulford
For the love of Ivy
Cecily Ciesla
This picture was taken at Wrigley Field on Camera Day, I believe in 1979 or 1980. With my favorite at the time, catcher #7 Jody Davis
Josh Hammersmith
Born and raised a Cubs fan: 1984 fishing at the lake
Eric Thoennes
Ever since I was a little kid: Me as a young Cubs fan!
Paris Pulford
Cubs Claw to the top
Heather Hanrahan
Back in 2000,when you could walk up to the box office and get tickets to a game before it started: This year we got ourselves on the 1st baseline - 1st row because we had to be by Mark Grace.
Melissa Balderas
My Dad and I have been waiting our whole lives for this moment. In 1984 I was 11, helping my dad paint his face for the big game. My dad has been a big CUBS fan his whole life and he has passed that love for the game onto me. GO CUBS GO!!!!
Heather
Heather Fenzel, Cubs fan since 1984
Corinne Osinski-Carey
Baby Rick Sutcliffe circa 1986
Cheryl Dabler
This was taken 6 years ago...
Amy Nowocin
My Grandpa who was a diehard Cubs fan in a central Illinois town full of Cardinal fans. This pic is from 1985 right before he died and my son in 2015 in the same jersey
Dennis Lindberg
In Oak Lawn, circa 1954 or 1955: 71-year-old Dennis Lindberg as a very young Cubs fan.
Mauricio Ibarra Jr
I was 6 years old in this picture at Great America. I am now 34 in the hospital waiting for my wife to give birth to our 3rd baby and future Cubs fan.
Tucker Sullivan
Walk on Wrigley Day, 1996: My cousins and i were able to walk on Wrigley Field before the game.
Angela
South Side Cubs fan
Olivia SslAshley
Mom and me being troopers! It was freezing and the game was on hold because it was raining. We are die-hard fans that decided to freeze and wait it out.
Debbie Brucato
Cubs pic Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Anthony Chavez
Die-hard since the beginning
Rachael Kathryn
Me--circa 1987!
PETER BUSSE
My son with Kerry Wood at spring training 3 years ago in Vegas
Derek
Derek Cubs fan
adrian Castrejon
Cubs fan since Day One: Saluting to the Cubs
Rob Zdora
Cubs game, 1985: Right at the 3rd base line behind the dugout
According to numerous reports, Fowler had agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal with the Orioles earlier this week. During a press availability after his signing was revealed to the team, Fowler said that he did eventually turn down a three-year offer in order to return to the Cubs.
According to the team, Manager Joe Maddon called players together on the field Thursday for what he said would be a special announcement. Once everyone had gathered, Fowler appeared, escorted by Cubs President Theo Epstein.
The Cubs Thursday welcomed the “newest” player to join the team, but were surprised to see a familiar face.
According to the team, several players had already texted Fowler to congratulate him after reports he had signed with the Orioles. Fowler said Anthony Rizzo was among those that sent him a congratulations, but Fowler said he couldn't tell his teammates because he "couldn't wait to surprise" them.
Even Manager Joe Maddon said he was going to text Fowler when he heard the news, but quickly realized he shouldn't.
Dexter Fowler explained during a news conference Thursday why he chose to stay with the Chicago Cubs.
“When I heard about it the other day I was ready to text him to congratulate him, and then I was told not to do that, so I didn’t,” Maddon said. “I really was impressed by the level of the reaction.”
After the news broke, the Cubs tweeted a video of players reacting to Fowler's return and it appeared the players were just as excited as fans.
According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, Fowler's deal is a one-year contract, which will pay him $8 million in 2016. There is a mutual option for a second year, and if it's exercised the outfielder will be paid $9 million. If the two sides agree to part ways after the season, then Fowler would receive a $5 million buyout. Epstein noted Thursday that Fowler "decided to go for the fit over the money."
In 156 games with the Cubs last season, Fowler hit 17 home runs and drove in 46 RBI while stealing 20 bases. Serving as the Cubs’ lead-off hitter, Fowler tore through big league pitching in the second half of the year, leading them on an improbable run as the team won 97 games and ultimately reached the NLCS.
Cubs’ Theo Epstein explained Thursday during a news conference about the process of resigning outfielder Dexter Fowler.
With Fowler back in the fold, the Cubs’ outfield situation certainly becomes more interesting. Fowler could potentially play center field for the Cubs while Jason Heyward switches to right field, or the players could switch positions as well if Joe Maddon is so inclined.
Either way, adding Fowler back to the mix gives the Cubs a ton of flexibility in their outfield, and it also further bolsters a lineup that already promises to be better at manufacturing runs and getting hitters on base.
