Cardinals Sign Dexter Fowler To Five-Year, $82.5 Million Deal

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced the signing of outfielder Dexter Fowler on Friday. 

KSDK's Frank Cusumano first reported that Fowler was en route to St. Louis to take a physical. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Fowler has earned a five-year, $82.5 million deal.

Fowler's $16.5 million annual average value ranks as one of the 30 highest outfield contracts in MLB history.

It's been quite a year for Fowler, who took a one-year, $13 million deal with the Cubs in February after turning down a qualifying offer and not receiving lots of interest. Betting on himself obviously turned out well for Fowler, as he was not only able to win a World Series, but turn in a career year as well.

Fowler will fit well in St. Louis, who lost corner outfielder Matt Holliday to the Yankees in free agency this offseason. Now, he will play center alongside Randal Grichuk in left field and Stephen Piscotty in right right. 

Prior to the offseason, MLBTradeRumors.com projected Fowler to earn a $64 million deal, so he obviously did very well in this contract. 

Last season, Fowler hit .276/.393/.447 with 13 home runs and 48 RBIs over 551 plate appearances in 125 games with the Cubs. He posted a 129 wrC+ and a 4.7 WAR, according to FanGraphs. 

In addition to the Cardinals, the Giants and Blue Jays were connected to Fowler, and the Nationals also internally showed interest before acquiring Adam Eaton in a trade. 

--Devan Fink

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