Blue Jays showing "strong interest" in Dexter Fowler

[Laika]

http://www.fanragsports.com/mlb/heyman-blue-jays-interested-dexter-fowler-jay-bruce/

 

hmmmm

[Laika]

MLBTR Projected Contract

------>

 

6. Dexter Fowler – Four years, $64MM. Fowler is yet another player who is re-entering the free agent market after a disappointing 2015-16 offseason. Instead of the four-year deal we predicted, Fowler returned to the Cubs on a one-year contract in February. He led all free agents with a .393 on-base percentage in 2016, and reinforced his center [sic] field defense as at least average. Fowler will again have a qualifying offer attached, but this time we can see at least a dozen reasonable suitors. An openness to an outfield corner would boost Fowler’s market. The Cubs may consider a new contract in the wake of their World Championship, though they didn’t make a big offer to him a year ago and may need to free up their outfield logjam. The Cardinals, Nationals, Blue Jays, Rangers, White Sox, Indians, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, Giants, and Mariners could have interest in Fowler.

[L54]

Anything but Jay Bruce

[glory]

Fowler in a corner OF spot (where his D might improve) would be pretty sexy with his OBP skills. He sure as hell won't be playing CF here with Pillar, but he'd essentially be the back-up CF anyway. Losing a pick would suck though. Three draft picks sounds better than two.

[Stangstag]

Shatkins plz

[BlueRocky]

Would rather keep pick.

Fowler is exactly the type of bat they should target though

[Abomination]

MLBTR Projected Contract

------>

 

6. Dexter Fowler – Four years, $64MM. Fowler is yet another player who is re-entering the free agent market after a disappointing 2015-16 offseason. Instead of the four-year deal we predicted, Fowler returned to the Cubs on a one-year contract in February. He led all free agents with a .393 on-base percentage in 2016, and reinforced his center [sic] field defense as at least average. Fowler will again have a qualifying offer attached, but this time we can see at least a dozen reasonable suitors. An openness to an outfield corner would boost Fowler’s market. The Cubs may consider a new contract in the wake of their World Championship, though they didn’t make a big offer to him a year ago and may need to free up their outfield logjam. The Cardinals, Nationals, Blue Jays, Rangers, White Sox, Indians, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, Giants, and Mariners could have interest in Fowler.

 

I'd be okay with this even with the loss of draft pick. Once you start getting up in the 20M / year range though, it gets a little more iffy.

[JuniorFelix]

Would rather keep pick.

Fowler is exactly the type of bat they should target though

We have 2 extra picks with JB and EE likely both jumping ship. Fowler would be a Godsend. Hoping Bruce is just rumor and not even a back up plan on Fowler.

[GoJays1562]

Fowler > Bruce please.

[jaysguy44]

Fowler > Bruce please.

 

This

[Terminator]

Good to hear that we are in on a quality player.

 

Steamer doesn't seem to like his bat or fielding though but he'd look great in RF and the leadoff spot for us.

[Daniel Labude]

Fowler > Bruce please.

 

From the sounds of it...it could be sign Fowler and trade for Bruce.

[Brownie19]

Fowler > Bruce please.

 

We need 2 OFers...

[glory]

Fowler and Bruce would be fine as a tandem, just make sure the Gibbster platoons Bruce with Upton (and uses Upton as a defensive replacement as often as possible).

 

Still hate giving up a pick, but I guess if there's any year that it makes sense, it would be this one where the market sucks and the Jays will be getting two comp picks.

[Terminator]

The pick isn't exactly gold. Just factor it in to the offered contract.

[gruber92]

I like Fowler but a trade for Eaton makes more sense if Stroman is the center piece. Stroman + B level prospect for Eaton while stretching out Biagini.

[THANOS]

I like Fowler but a trade for Eaton makes more sense if Stroman is the center piece. Stroman + B level prospect for Eaton while stretching out Biagini.

 

Would rather sign Fowler and KEEP Stroman+ that prospect.

[glory]

The pick isn't exactly gold. Just factor it in to the offered contract.

 

One way of looking at it is they would have lost a pick if they re-signed Encarnacion (not their own, but the comp pick they would have gotten if he signed elsewhere), and they apparently gave him a pretty big offer at 4/80. If they feel Fowler will out-WAR Edwin over the next four years, and can get him cheaper (maybe closer to 4/65) then it nets out to the same amount of picks, just possibly dropping a few spots.

[Jonn]

Seems like we are showing a lot of strong interest in players!

[gruber92]

Would rather sign Fowler and KEEP Stroman+ that prospect.

 

Really? Eaton is under contract at under $5 mil per season through 2019 plus two option years. Fowler would cost $11-15 more annually for the same if not lesser value than Eaton, while Eaton is three years younger. The money saved is key, as it can be used to address other needs.

 

Stroman isn't a long term SP solution unfortunately, so trading him now is essential.

[SAAviour]

I like Fowler but a trade for Eaton makes more sense if Stroman is the center piece. Stroman + B level prospect for Eaton while stretching out Biagini.

 

Im not sure what the hurry to trade a pitcher away is, a rotation with Biagini and no depth behind that is trouble.

 

Fowler at 4/64 I'm definitely down with signing.

[BTS]

Fowler plz.

[burlingtonbandit]

Really? Eaton is under contract at under $5 mil per season through 2019 plus two option years. Fowler would cost $11-15 more annually for the same if not lesser value than Eaton, while Eaton is three years younger. The money saved is key, as it can be used to address other needs.

 

Stroman isn't a long term SP solution unfortunately, so trading him now is essential.

 

You're assuming:

 

A) Biagini would be a decent SP (He likely isn't) In which case you have to spend money on pitching

The White Sox are willing to trade Eaton

C) White Sox would want Stroman. What if they say no and want Sanchez instead?

[Terminator]

One way of looking at it is they would have lost a pick if they re-signed Encarnacion (not their own, but the comp pick they would have gotten if he signed elsewhere), and they apparently gave him a pretty big offer at 4/80. If they feel Fowler will out-WAR Edwin over the next four years, and can get him cheaper (maybe closer to 4/65) then it nets out to the same amount of picks, just possibly dropping a few spots.

 

Yeah that's one way.

 

They can just assign it a dollar value though. 1st rounders used to be worth around $5 million, or so I once read. The number is higher now, let's call it 7 or 8. Just factor in an additional 7 or 8 million in added cost to signing him.

 

The pick is nice but it isn't untouchable.

[gruber92]

Im not sure what the hurry to trade a pitcher away is, a rotation with Biagini and no depth behind that is trouble.

 

Fowler at 4/64 I'm definitely down with signing.

 

Fowler most likely will get more than that, probably 4/72. Eaton is at 3/14 plus options.

 

I'm telling you Stroman is definitely not going to be a viable SP option moving forward. At best he'll be a #4-5, if he stays healthy. JMO.

[BTS]

I find it highly unlikely that the Sox are interested in trading Eaton for Stroman

[burlingtonbandit]

Fowler most likely will get more than that, probably 4/72. Eaton is at 3/14 plus options.

 

I'm telling you Stroman is definitely not going to be a viable SP option moving forward. At best he'll be a #4-5, if he stays healthy. JMO.

 

When you say moving forward are you talking 2017, 2018? I'll easily bet the over on him being a #4 next year.

 

Is your hunch the same one that thought Goins was going to be the second coming of Roberto Alomar?

[gruber92]

You're assuming:

 

A) Biagini would be a decent SP (He likely isn't) In which case you have to spend money on pitching

The White Sox are willing to trade Eaton

C) White Sox would want Stroman. What if they say no and want Sanchez instead?

 

A) Biagini can't be any worse than Stroman as a SP

Reported rumors say otherwise

C) If they want Sanchez instead then forget about it, or maybe spice up the prospect going the other way.

 

Landing Eaton would provide great value on a crazy cheap contract for the next 3-5 years.

[gruber92]

When you say moving forward are you talking 2017, 2018? I'll easily bet the over on him being a #4 next year.

 

Is your hunch the same one that thought Goins was going to be the second coming of Roberto Alomar?

 

Moving forward as in the next 2-3 years. Stroman's value will be in the pen.

[THANOS]

A) Biagini can't be any worse than Stroman as a SP

Reported rumors say otherwise

C) If they want Sanchez instead then forget about it, or maybe spice up the prospect going the other way.

 

Landing Eaton would provide great value on a crazy cheap contract for the next 3-5 years.

 

Stroman had a 3.41 xFIP and 3.71 FIP this year, Biagini can very easily do worse than that.