Chicago Cubs: Dexter Fowler signs multi-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles

It took longer than expected but former Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler has finally found a new home. And it’s not with the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox or a team in the National or American League Central.

Instead, Fowler will be joining the A.L. East and square off against 2015 teammate Starlin Castro who was traded to the New York Yankees over the offseason in exchange for pitcher Adam Warren.

According to ESPN’s own Buster Olney, the Baltimore Orioles have signed the soon-to-be 30-year-old outfielder to a three-year deal worth $35 million.

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After the Chicago Cubs were eliminated from the National League Championship Series by the New York Mets, Fowler rejected a qualifying offer of $15.8 million that was submitted by the North Siders.

Fans across the country were hoping that the front office would sweeten the deal enough to bring him back to the Cubs but it didn’t necessarily turn out that way. This left a huge hole in their lineup that would result in Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer signing Jason Heyward to take over in center field.

Before the 2015 campaign began, the Cubs traded pitcher Dan Straily and third baseman Luis Valbuena to the Houston Astros for Fowler. Fowler spent the majority of his career as a defensive centerpiece with the Colorado Rockies for several years before moving on.

In his only year with the Cubs, he ended the regular season with a career-high 17 home runs, 46 RBI, 84 walks, eight triples. 29 doubles, 149 hits, 20 steals while slashing .250/.346/.411 and OPS of .757.

Despite bringing in Heyward, the N.L. Wild Card winning team was rumored to be keeping tabs on Fowler and may have been interested in bringing him back. It would have been a tough decision to make considering the fact that the Cubs have Kyle Schwarber in left field and Jorge Soler starting in right.

Not to mention the depth Joe Maddon will have on the bench once Cactus League play wraps up at the end of March. So while it’s upsetting to know that Fowler is officially on the move, it’s comforting to know that he’s with a team that will take advantage of his talent.

Next: Cubs sign Manny Parra to minor league deal

The Orioles already have a team that’s full of powerful talent, just like the Cubs, so Fowler shouldn’t have a problem fitting in. But with Adam Jones as the star center fielder, Fowler will find himself in right.

Best of luck to Fowler on his new journey.