Chicago Cubs Trade Chris Coghlan, Re-Sign Dexter Fowler

The Chicago Cubs made several roster moves this morning, with major roster implications, including one move that completely stunned the baseball world.

It began with the Chicago Cubs announcing that they acquired RHP Aaron Brooks from the A’s for OF Chris Coghlan, as reported by Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune on his Twitter. Coghlan, 30, was the 2009 Rookie of the Year with the Miami Marlins before the Cubs brought him in as a reclamation project prior to the start of the 2014 season.

In two years with the Cubs, Coghlan had a .265/.346/.447 slash line with 25 homers and 82 runs batted in. While he was never touted as the best defensive outfielder in the game, Coghlan did not commit an error last year in the outfield and always hustled and played his best.

He was a fan favorite but lost a lot of playing time in the second half of 2015 once Schwarber and Co. got called up to the big leagues.

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In return, the Cubs got RHP Aaron Brooks from the A’s. Brooks, 25, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 9th round of the 2011 draft before being traded to Oakland in the Ben Zobrist trade.

Brooks has pitched 58 innings at the big league level, going 3-5 with an 8.38 ERA in 10 starters (15 total appearances). Brooks has had a lot more success in the minor league system and this appears to be merely a depth move and to clear roster space for another outfielder. Expect Brooks to start the season at Triple-A Iowa for the Cubs.

Then, the Cubs pulled off the biggest surprise, when Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer walked onto the practice field with Dexter Fowler. It had widely been reported that Fowler signed a 3 year, $35 million deal with the Orioles, but that deal fell through and the Cubs re-signed him to a one year deal with a mutual option for 2017, as reported by Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).

Gonzalez also reported via Twitter that Fowler will get paid $8 million this year, plus a $5 million dollar buyout if his option is not taken after this season. His option for 2017 is worth $9 million. Fowler, 29, had a .250/.346/.411 slash line with the Cubs last season. He set a career high in home runs (17), runs batted in (46), base on balls (84), runs scored (102), hits (149) and strikeouts (154).

He filled a big hole at the top of the Cubs lineup and gave the Cubs some much-needed speed, as he stole 20 bases last season. He also was a solid defender in centerfield. Expect him to leadoff and play in center field again this season.

In a corresponding roster move, the Cubs placed LHP Zac Rosscup on the 60-Day DL to clear space on the 40-man roster, according to MLBRosterMoves on their Twitter.

Other CubbiesCrib writers are going to have much more on the Fowler signing and how it impacts the Cubs later today.