Quote (Genetics @ Feb 25 2016 01:01pm)

that lineup is insane


now theyre gonna trade soler+ for another top starter

Quote (KoJ @ Feb 25 2016 01:05pm)

http://www.camdenchat.com/2016/2/25/11113872/dexter-fowler-signs-cubs-not-orioles



Orioles shocked as Dexter Fowler re-signs with Cubs instead
By Mark Brown  @EatMoreEsskay on Feb 25, 2016, 12:53p 1

The Orioles had a deal with Dexter Fowler, and then suddenly they didn't. There was a Thursday afternoon surprise as Fowler re-signed with the Cubs instead of signing with the O's.


Chaos. Panic. Disorder. The Orioles aren't getting their leadoff hitter after all and right now nobody knows why. What we do know is that Dexter Fowler, who had apparently been in agreement with the Orioles on a three year contract, has now signed a one year contract with his former team, the Chicago Cubs, with a mutual option for a second year. The agreement was announced by the Cubs early Thursday afternoon.

It's a surprise because you simply don't see it often in baseball, where a deal is reported done, pending physical, with one team, and then they go and sign with a different team without having actually taken the physical. It's not something that happens often. Off the top of my head, I don't even know the last time something has happened quite like this.

For O's fans, there's going to be a somewhat understandable impulse to have a negative knee-jerk reaction. After all, the O's were fairly directly scorned here. In some ways this is not far short of professional wrestling theater, the heel turn move where a guy drops his signature move on his old ally out of nowhere, then rips off his shirt to reveal he's actually joined forces with the other side. The Orioles just got power-bombed through the Spanish announcer's table.

When the dust settles, I think what we'll probably find is that the shorter contract offered by the Cubs is what lured Fowler back to Chicago. If he feels his 2015 was a dip in performance that he can overcome, then it's better for him to have the choice to be a free agent again in a year's time in what everyone agrees will be a weak market. He's probably not wrong about that, and it's his choice to make, but what a weird situation.

I guess at least the Orioles will keep the #28 draft pick after all.

Quote (Schwarber @ Feb 25 2016 01:07pm)

He must have really wanted to apart of this team.. basically said fuck you Baltimore.

Quote (Schwarber @ Feb 25 2016 02:07pm)

He must have really wanted to apart of this team.. basically said fuck you Baltimore.

Quote (Genetics @ Feb 25 2016 01:17pm)

you cant be any more "all in" than the cubs are

all these short contracts are crazy; you just dont see many like it, especially all on one team.

Quote (Schwarber @ Feb 25 2016 01:21pm)

Short contracts? The entire young core is not eligible for FA til 2021; Rizzo is signed through 2020.

Lackey and Fowler are the only short contracts Lackey with Lackey being due to age.

They have a huge 5 year window right now and that's assuming they aren't able to keep any of the young core that just came up last year.

Quote (Genetics @ Feb 25 2016 01:22pm)

and the opt outs ofc

theyre changing the future of FA in baseball

Quote (Schwarber @ Feb 25 2016 01:24pm)

Can't blame that on the Cubs.. every player & pitcher apart from like 2 this off season has gotten an "opt out" clause; which is a joke.

Quote (Genetics @ Feb 25 2016 01:25pm)

im not blaming anyone. its a hell of a smart move and they got some of the best FA talent to come to their team because of it.

other GMs are gonna have to adjust.


why do you assume im "blaming" anyone?

Quote (KoJ @ Feb 25 2016 12:05pm)

http://www.camdenchat.com/2016/2/25/11113872/dexter-fowler-signs-cubs-not-orioles



Orioles shocked as Dexter Fowler re-signs with Cubs instead
By Mark Brown  @EatMoreEsskay on Feb 25, 2016, 12:53p 1

The Orioles had a deal with Dexter Fowler, and then suddenly they didn't. There was a Thursday afternoon surprise as Fowler re-signed with the Cubs instead of signing with the O's.


Chaos. Panic. Disorder. The Orioles aren't getting their leadoff hitter after all and right now nobody knows why. What we do know is that Dexter Fowler, who had apparently been in agreement with the Orioles on a three year contract, has now signed a one year contract with his former team, the Chicago Cubs, with a mutual option for a second year. The agreement was announced by the Cubs early Thursday afternoon.

It's a surprise because you simply don't see it often in baseball, where a deal is reported done, pending physical, with one team, and then they go and sign with a different team without having actually taken the physical. It's not something that happens often. Off the top of my head, I don't even know the last time something has happened quite like this.

For O's fans, there's going to be a somewhat understandable impulse to have a negative knee-jerk reaction. After all, the O's were fairly directly scorned here. In some ways this is not far short of professional wrestling theater, the heel turn move where a guy drops his signature move on his old ally out of nowhere, then rips off his shirt to reveal he's actually joined forces with the other side. The Orioles just got power-bombed through the Spanish announcer's table.

When the dust settles, I think what we'll probably find is that the shorter contract offered by the Cubs is what lured Fowler back to Chicago. If he feels his 2015 was a dip in performance that he can overcome, then it's better for him to have the choice to be a free agent again in a year's time in what everyone agrees will be a weak market. He's probably not wrong about that, and it's his choice to make, but what a weird situation.

I guess at least the Orioles will keep the #28 draft pick after all.