The Orioles and Dexter Fowler are discussing a two-year, $24MM contract with an option, tweets Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. No word at this time if the two sides are nearing agreement or have only exchanged parameters.
Fowler, an on base threat with a career .363 OBP, would offer Baltimore much needed outfield and lineup depth. His presence would push Mark Trumbo to a much more comfortable designated hitter role. Fowler would also offer insurance – both in the field and atop the lineup – in case Korean import Hyun-soo Kim struggles to adjust to the majors.
Defensive metrics aren’t always a fan of Fowler’s work afield. For example, he posted -1.7 UZR last season but -21.8 UZR in 2014 (or if you prefer on a rate basis, -36.2 UZR/150). It’s worth noting that he’s spent his entire career in center field. Baltimore would likely use him in right or left field flanking Adam Jones. Even below average center fielders tend to be assets in the corners, and Fowler only needs to outperform the always shaky Trumbo to be a net defensive gain.
As mentioned, Fowler is an on base threat who could help to set the table for Jones, Chris Davis, and Manny Machado. His .346 OBP last season was one of the lowest of his career, but that mostly ties back to a career-worst .308 BABIP. He typically reaches base at a well above average rate on balls in play. His 12.2% walk rate was right in line with his career norms.
Notably, the Orioles have already agreed to sign free agent starter Yovani Gallardo earlier tonight. Both Fowler and Gallardo were extended a qualifying offer, meaning the O’s have to surrender a draft pick to sign them. If they ink Fowler, they’ll lose the 28th overall selection.
Great value signing. Worst team to be giving up picks.
I does suck to give up picks but draft pick are not always the best way to fill out your minors look at braves traded for a very talented minor league team . But braves are not going to be in it for a few years! I think the OS still have 3 or 4 picks in the top 100
Agreed but Fowler at $12m a year is way more valuable than a #28 pick lottery ticket. If the Orioles falter in the first half they can easily trade him for a way better prospect than they would have gotten at #28. Yes, Trout was taken at #28 but that is such a rare occurance and due more to the fact teams typically do not scout New Jersey very heavily than Trout being an under the radar talent. Besides, Baltimore has 4 additional picks in the Top 100. They will have a shot at an above slot pick in there somewhere. It should be a good draft for them with or without the #28 pick. They should also get another comp pick next year qhen Weiters walks and if it is only a 2 year deal Fowler could still be young enough to get a QO after the 2017 season. Which wouldn’t surprise me since the OF market that year is basically Cain and a bunch of way past their prime aging stars. Giving up #14 for Gallardo was a bit more questionable but #28 for Fowler is a no brainer. Several teams will be looking for a trade partner next winter as well. I really like this signing for Baltimore if they can get it done. I think Texas might make a move themselves now that they have secured an additional pick with Gallardo. So Baltimore shouldn’t drag their feet too long.
If they falter he isnt going to net a prospect better than the 28th pick. If hes so coveted and such a good player he would have been signed by now. Baseball people see or know something. That the common sports outlet does not. Really just not that good of a player
If he was not that good of a player the Cubs would not have offered him what 15 or so mil for this year alone right. Career 360 OBP and real good defense considering he is gonna play the corner outfield here. Just not a true statment.
It would be a nice offense with Fowler in the mix.
Totally agree. It took DD forever but was absolutely worth the wait when I seen the deal he took.
I have been saying we needed SP and an OBP guy at the top to replace what we lost when Markakis left. I think Fowler will fill that role and if Hyung Soon-Kim is anything close to what he was in Korea, we may surprise a lot of people and make a run this season.
What was Fowler’s UZR at Wrigley vs on the road?
Hes not a good cf period. He makes the routine but just jogs on it on balls he doesnt think he has a chance at. Decent speed so his range would play up in right though. They would be signing him for his obp with decent pop mix though and hope he is solid average in right. Basically a 3 win player.
So who on the chopping block? Who will be DFA ? Can we pull off a trade now 3 for 1 ? I guess the rule 5 guy is gone but who else will go?
If DF signs top to bottom best lineup in baseball.whichever 5 starters they throw out there keeping my fingers crossed.back end of the BP lights out hope the starters can keep it close enough to get to it
lol pretty mediocre after Machado, Davis and Jones if you ask me. If youre looking for the best lineup, i’d look to Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, St. louis, KC and Pittsburgh before Baltimore
Scariest overall lineups have to be Blue jays, Royals, Cubs, Pirates, and astros.
Haha I think you bumped your head on something really hard.these teams you speak of have 3 or 4 hitters you don’t wanna make a mistake to.I’d take machado schoop Jones Davis trumbo over any five out of any of those lineups
While not bad, i am really looking forward to watching kinsler, upton, cabrera, martinez and martinez everyday. The cubbies look pretty scary too.
Schoop almost matched Kinslers numbers in half as many games.machado and jd Martinez match up pretty close.trumbo had better numbers than vmar last year.Davis doesn’t have Cabrera avg but cab doesn’t have his power so that’s a push.Jones and uptons numbers were pretty close last yr.I give the edge to balt pending a full season out of schoop
Lmao try encarnacion Batista tulo Martin and pretty much anybody else is better than those
I don’t know what your dealer is selling you but it’s some stepped on sh#t.
Blue jays are pretty mediocre after Donaldson batista and Encarnacion.
So tulowitzki, martin and travis are mediocre lol? youre out of your mind. If anyone thinks there is an offence that even comes close to the blue jays youre off your rocker. We scored more than 100 runs than ANY team in baseball last year. And itll be the same this year.
Tulo no but the others yes.
The same Tulo that hit 239 for the Blue Jays last year? And has hit 274 away from Coos field in his career and is always hurt. Yes he is a mediocre hitter. How are the numbers Martin and Travis put up last year any different then what Schoop and Weiters put up. I’m not saying they arnt a top offense but the earlier repose saying the O’s offense is mediocre is just a stupid reply. They will be a lot closer this year and the offense is the only thing the Blue Jays have. They will be a 4th or 5th place team this year.
If you lineup the 2 side by side Baltimore has the better first baseman and center fielder, besides that its almost all Toronto
Schoop is better then Travis. They don’t even know who is playing left field. Machado is was 23 and played as well as your best player. You think Donaldson will actually out play him this year? There’s only 2 spots where Toronto is clearly better, shortstop and Right field. Tulo is always hurt and Batista is what 36 this year? Hope blue Jay fans enjoyed 2015 because 2016 won’t be as fun
> If DF signs top to bottom best lineup in baseball
Wow.
Better lineup than the jays? Are you kidding me? With Tulo, Donaldson, Bautista, Edwin, Martin and Travis? Wow
Cubs lineup is way better than the O’s
I bet you that won’t be the case.
Claiming any National League team has the best lineup top to bottom is pretty silly. I think if the Orioles get Fowler they will have the best top to bottom. I could be wrong and I can hear arguments on the jays and Astros. But to claim a team has the best lineup top to bottom in the game when two of those spots are reserved for Miguel Montero and Pitcher slot well that’s laughable.
“Claiming any National League team has the best lineup top to bottom is pretty silly.”
Actually, not exactly. I understand the pitcher’s spot is a waste, but you need to compare the teams to their respective leagues and what they do to accommodate their lineups when they play teams in the AL. Obviously, a pitcher won’t be hitting on the Cubs roster when they play in the AL. That being said, I like the Cubs’ lineup more than the Orioles.
Actually there is only one stat you need to use to figure out what league is better. Interleague play in which the AL has won 12 seasons in a row. With the AL pretty much dominating the last four years. It speaks to a lack of mid level talent in the NL.
The truth is in the numbers. Doesn’t stop NL team announcers from saying their team has an advantage because the pitcher is more familiar with hitting though.
the Cubs play 10 games where they will use a dh this season. Why should I need to compare their lineup when they have a dh when they will play around 93% of their games without it? as long as they sign Fowler 1-9 the Orioles will be better. Sadly they won’t get to face the Brewers and reds 45 times combined to pad their stats.
Exactly, when Cubs go to al park the will have Schwarber DH .
Heyward
Zobrist
Rizzo
Bryant
Schwarber
Soler
Montero
Baez
Russell
Can match anyone 1-9
2 years / 12 is close to reasonable but at this point it is obvious there are not a lot of suitors for Fowler so I would offer 1 Year 12 and a mutual option for a second year at 12.
Orioles are on the decline. They missed out on a lot of free agents, so now they’re trying to make it up with Fowler and Yovani Gallardo. It’s not going to be enough in that division.
Lol
That’s not true at all
The O’s haven’t really tried to get other free agents. They target certain players from the beginning and work with them all winter to get a deal done. They don’t just go out and buy anybody they can cause they are a good player.
Jays have hands down the best offense again this year. It’s the success of their pitchers that will define the season. I say they win 95 and the AL East.
They win 95 games how? With one of the worst pitching staffs in the AL? I don’t think so, maybe look more towards 80 wins
Best top to bottom? Thanks I need to laugh, how about a pitcher with an ERA under four?
What did Tillman and Gonzalez average from 2012 to 2014? They have 1 bad year and everyone writes them off? I’m sorry they don’t play for the Yankees or red Sox so no one knows them but they arnt tribe like everyone is making them out to be. Gausman has ace stuff also so if he makes a jump the rotation will be a lot beer then people think. These same pitchers carried them to 96 wins in 2014
Teams hardly ever repeat in this division. The teams are to close in overall talent be ready for no playoffs this year JAYS. It is the smart money.
They better hope they win now… because they are gambling their future. And if they finish last or near the bottom of the division like most think they will then you can expect a full front office cleaning for blowing that kind of money…
They are not gambling the future. If they don’t win they have enough talent to trade to contenders to rebuild the farm. No one is cleaning the front office. The Orioles haven’t had a losing season in 4 years after 14 years of losing season. It’s going to take more then one year to fire DD or Buck.
People are forgetting that this is pretty much the same O’s team that has the most wins in the AL and maybe even MLB in the last couple of years combined yet everyone still doubts every move they make. They obviously know what they are doing.