Dexter Fowler decided he didn't want to leave the potential juggernaut being built on the north side of Chicago.
Days after reports emerged that the outfielder had agreed to terms on a deal with the Orioles, he walked onto the field during the Cubs' spring training workout Thursday morning in Mesa, Ariz., stunning teammates with the news that he would be staying in Chicago.
"I'll never top that," Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein told reporters.
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#Cubs Fowler and Maddon pic.twitter.com/2sIywph34x
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 25, 2016
The team announced the one-year deal with a mutual option for 2017. The Chicago Tribune reports Fowler will get $8 million this season with a $9 million option for next year that carries a $5 million buyout, thus guaranteeing the outfielder at least $13 million.
Multiple outlets reported earlier this week that Fowler had agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal with the Orioles, but it was never finalized. MLB Network reported Fowler asked the Orioles for an opt-out after one year and the team refused.
Fowler, who turns 30 next month, hit .250/.346/.411 last year in his first season with the Cubs while establishing career highs in home runs (17) and walks (84). He added two more home runs in the playoffs.
He'll rejoin a team that won 97 games last season and added Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and John Lackey to the mix this winter.
The Fowler surprise came shortly after the Cubs announced they had traded outfielder Chris Coghlan to Oakland for pitcher Aaron Brooks.
