Chicago Cubs: Four possible trades within the National League Central

Chicago Cubs: Dexter didn’t look good in red anyhow

Add in the fact that Fowler has hit only .233 and posted a less than league-average 97 OPS+ in his three seasons in St. Louis, and it’s not like they’d feel they’re losing much. If the Cardinals would be willing to eat some of Fowler’s bloated salary, it’s entirely possible the Cubs could see Fowler as a stopgap in centerfield and at leadoff for the next two seasons at a reduced cost.

The change in scenery might just reinvigorate the switch-hitting Fowler, and if he puts up the same .346 OBP he did last year in St. Louis, the Cubs offense would be jump started back into business. Fowler is due $14.5 million each of the next two seasons – if the Cards would eat half of that, they might even get some decent prospects back in return. Or, maybe they’d like Jason Heyward back and we could just do a straight-up swap? Not likely…

In return for Fowler at a reduced rate, the Cubs would send back a surplus outfielder in Almora who could be a fourth outfielder in St. Louis and an outfield prospect for the future in Cole Roederer. Most of this deal would be salary relief for the Redbirds at this point if they feel they want to move on from Dexter. Granted, many could see this as a return to the “winner’s trap” mentality many have speculated about since 2017, but I see it merely as a way to do business and fill areas of need at reduced cost and with a wee bit of optimism.