Call to the pen
Fansided

Re-Signing Dexter Fowler Could Create Domino Effect For Cubs

By Jacob Kornhauser

October 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) hits a double in the eighth inning against the New York Mets in game three of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
October 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) hits a double in the eighth inning against the New York Mets in game three of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Most thought the Chicago Cubs were done this offseason after they added OF Jason Heyward, 2B Ben Zobrist and SP John Lackey, but it turns out they still might have a few tricks up their sleeve. The first of those could be re-signing OF Dexter Fowler.

More from Chicago Cubs

CBS’ Bruce Levine said a baseball executive named the Cubs as the favorite to land the leadoff man. If they do, in fact, bring him back in 2016, they will have to make some other moves for it to make sense.

First of all, there would be four legitimate everyday starters in their outfield in Fowler, Heyward, Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler. One would have to go if Fowler is brought back and that would almost certainly be Soler.

October 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler (68) hits a solo home run in the fourth inning against the New York Mets in game three of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Soler would almost certainly be the odd man out if the Cubs bring back Fowler.                                                Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports /

The Cuban slugger generated interest earlier this offseason as the Cubs were looking to add more starting pitching. Those talks could heat up again if Fowler returns to the north side of Chicago.

If the team doesn’t want to trade Soler and would rather trade catcher Miguel Montero, they could go that route. However, they’d likely have to eat a large portion of his $14 million contract over each of the next two years. His departure would clear the way for Schwarber to become the everyday catcher.

Essentially, the Cubs re-signing Fowler could help determine a slew of other things this offseason for the Cubs as spring training approaches. The clock is ticking as the front office attempts to put its finishing touches on the 2016 roster.

Should the team bring back Fowler and trade Soler for a legitimate, young, team-controlled pitcher, the Cubs will further solidify themselves as the team to beat in all of major league baseball going into 2016.

Home/Chicago Cubs