So, last night’s results aside, the Cubs offense has finally struggled. I say finally because we all knew the blistering pace they were on was going to come to an end at some point—no team can keep up that kind of production over 162 games, and this team is no different. Their recent struggles are a […]
Tag: Dexter Fowler
Two Go, We Go: Could Dexter Fowler Better Serve the Cubs Batting Second?
Joe Maddon’s quippy, screen print-friendly words of advice and encouragement to his players can be a bit tedious at times. “Try Not to Suck” is a winner. “Respect 90″ is basic, but strong. “Do Simple Better” and “The Process is Fearless” encapsulate these Cubs so wonderfully, one can excuse the fact that they’re inherited Maddonisms, […]
You Go, We Go: How Dexter Fowler Is Helping Set the Tone For The Cubs’ Brilliant Start
It’s not news to say that this Cubs’ lineup is extremely disciplined. In fact, some even believe that this could be the most disciplined lineup ever. Even if you don’t agree with that bold of a statement, it’s hard to deny the facts. Though the season is still in its infancy, the new-look Cubs are seeing an average of 3.97 […]
The Case for Heyward Over Fowler in Center
The Cubs’ re-signing of Dexter Fowler to a one-year deal in late February surprised many, as the 29-year-old outfielder had reportedly agreed to a three-year pact with the Orioles earlier the same week. With the O’s, Fowler would have likely been slotted into right field, considering the presence of multiple Gold Glove winner Adam Jones in […]
From BP: Transaction Analysis — Fowler Comes in Way Under Budget
Over at the Baseball Prospectus main site, BP Wrigleyville’s Editor-in-Chief, Rian Watt, analyzed the Dexter Fowler deal. We thought you’d enjoy a preview here. Well. There is a great deal to talk about with respect to this transaction, and only some of it has to do with the deal’s baseball implications. There’s the fact that, a […]
The Humanity of the Dexter Fowler Deal
As the offseason winds down and spring training starts ramping up, we all start talking about baseball players like puzzle pieces. How is this piece going to fit in? How many dollars is this piece worth? What pieces are missing? Which teams have too many pieces? Is this piece a good fit? Then days like […]
After Fowler’s Return, Making Time for Jorge Soler
Perhaps my inclination to root for the underdog, the outsider, is a large part of why I’m a Cubs fan in the first place. It probably also explains why, after working through the stages of processing Thursday’s Cubs roster moves (disbelief, confusion, surprise, joy), one of the first things I thought about was what this […]
Chaos in the Outfield Brings Relative Clarity to Cubs’ Infield Situation
The Cubs’ unexpected trade of Chris Coghlan and re-signing of Dexter Fowler blew up expectations for the outfield. They are now (happily) muddled, and I (happily) left that hard stuff for Matthew Trueblood to sort out. On the infield side, though, these moves actually serve to clarify the Cubs’ roster. Several players whose roles were unclear […]
Cubs Player Profile: Dexter Fowler, Potential Offseason Target
On the night when Jake Arrieta threw his no-hitter and the Cubs all donned pajamas for the long flight home to Chicago, a lot of players got love for their embrace of Joe Maddon’s favorite shtick. Arrieta himself stole the show, of course, not only with his on-field performance, but with the mustache-covered onesie he […]
Determining Fowler’s Value as Free Agency Looms
Dexter Fowler has been a huge part of the Cubs second-half surge this season, making Theo Epstein and the front office look like absolute geniuses for trading Luis Valbuena and Dan Straily to the Houston Astros in the offseason. But with the 29-year-old Fowler about to hit free agency in just over a month, the […]