It's been a tough offseason for some notable MLB free agents, including former Chicago Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler. The 29-year-old had a career year in 2015 and is still having trouble finding a home in 2016. The latest rumors indicate it's not getting any better for him.
ESPN's Buster Olney recently spoke with some baseball executives who told him it's going to be "very difficult" for Fowler to sign a contract larger than the two-year, $20 million deal the Los Angeles Dodgers gave to Howie Kendrick last month. Kendrick, by the way, was also negatively affected by the qualifying offer system.
Some of those who rejected the qualifying offer and are tied to draft pick compensation have been unable to find jobs, and those that did couldn't land the contract they desired. Fowler, Yovani Gallardo (currently in talks with the Baltimore Orioles) and Ian Desmond are those who rejected the offer and have yet to sign because many teams are hesitant to lose their draft pick.
A few who did reject the offer and ended up signing a deal - some would argue - did not get fair market value.
- Kendrick turned down the one-year, $15.8 million contract and instead signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Dodgers
- Hisashi Iwakuma rejected the Mariners' deal, had a three-year, $45 million contract fall through with the Dodgers, and then returned to Seattle on a one-year, $12 million pact
- Gallardo is getting deeper in talks with the Orioles, but it's believed he's going to settle for less money that originally expected since Baltimore doesn't have much left to spend after their active offseason
However, Fowler's case might be the most criminal. The veteran hit .250/.346/.411 with 149 hits (career-high), 102 runs scored (career-high), 17 home runs (career-high), 46 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 156 games (career-high) last season with the Cubs. His 2.2 WAR was also his highest since the 2012 season. He's a switch-hitter and a productive leadoff bat, which is still in demand.
"Even though Fowler is attached to Draft pick compensation, he'd be a worthwhile addition for several clubs -- most notably the White Sox, Angels, Indians and Cardinals, who would all benefit from some outfield help," writes AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. "There's room for Fowler toward the top of all four of those lineups -- and some serious power bats who could potentially hit behind him. (Think of Fowler getting on base for Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier or Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.)"
Cassavell provides more stats as to why Fowler should have been signed by now.
If Fowler really cannot eclipse a two-year, $20 million deal, the MLBPA needs to work hard to restructure the qualifying offer system in the new CBA negotiations because it's clearly hindering players from maximizing their worth.
