Chicago Cubs: Breaking down an offseason to-do list

Step One: Bring back Dexter Fowler to man center field

Last season, when Dexter Fowler did his part at the dish, the Chicago Cubs were near-unstoppable. It was true in the regular season and it rang true again when the postseason rolled around – and not bringing him back would be a big mistake.

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He’s likely to be one of the more sought-after outfielders in the game, especially when you consider his competition in center field. We’ve broken down some of the Cubs’ other options in the past, but, as time passes, Fowler looks more and more attractive.

In Cubs wins, the veteran leadoff man turned in an .839 OPS, including a .376 on-base percentage – which drew a stark contrast to his performance in Chicago losses (.625 OPS/.296 OBP). Not to mention, he also swiped 20 bags, something no Cubs player had done since both Starlin Castro and Tony Campana surpassed that mark back in 2012.

On the flip-side, defensive metrics suggest that at-best, Fowler was league average (based on lgFld%) – although he did possess above-average range, which you should expect to hold up for the next few years given he’s just 29 years of age.

If he does just what he did in 2015 for the next few years, he’ll be worth every penny. His on-field contributions, coupled with his clubhouse impact, make him an ideal member of this team for years to come.

Next: Shore up the starting rotation