The re-birth of the Chicago Cubs continues today as they’ve acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler from the Houston Astros.
Fowler, who asked for $10.5 million dollars in salary arbitration clearly became too costly for budget minded Houston who decided it was in their best interest to trade the center fielder.
Breaking news -Cubs close to completing trade for Houston CF Dexter Fowler .
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) January 19, 2015
While Fowler isn’t a Gold Glove caliber outfielder nor is he an elite top of the lineup hitter, he does everything at a decent clip and brings with him a career OBP of .366 which will be extremely beneficial for those hitting below Dexter Fowler in the Chicago Cubs’ lineup.
Leaving the Windy City and heading to the Houston Astros will be a collection of Major League players including former Oakland Athletics starter Dan Straily, who became somewhat expendable after the team brought in Jon Lester through free agency.
It’s by no stretch a blockbuster move for Theo Epstein and company, though it should prove to be a solid addition moving forward as Fowler gets on base at a high clip and can bring with him a decent amount of speed atop a lineup.
Dexter Fowler, 29, will be a free agent at the end of the upcoming season.
Update: Luis Valbuena will also be sent to the Astros.
