Cubs trade Straily/Valbuena for Dexter Fowler

[champaignchris]

I debated starting a Dexter Fowler thread but that would piss off mojo

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=cf&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=13,d

 

Very early for this obviously (then again, when you see who is at the top and who is at the bottom, maybe there's something to it lol) but Fowler is grading out pretty decently early on in the field

 

It's pretty early for statistical measures on defense, but on the eye test, he's looked pretty decent. Of course anyone is going to look pretty good next to the complete butcher we've had fielding Left most of this year.

[sneakypower]

Valbuena hit his 4th and 5th HRs last night and is sporting a .938OPS so far this season.

http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/30500000/I-Ain-t-Even-Mad-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-30565881-400-300.png

[Guest]

Yeah, I love Fowler and Valbuena wouldn't have had a place to play.

[sneakypower]

or perhaps more importantly, Alcantara / Matt Szczur / Ryan Sweeney would have had a place to play

[Guest]

or perhaps more importantly, Alcantara / Matt Szczur / Ryan Sweeney would have had a place to play

That's part of why I love Fowler.

[Guest]

I seem to recall a lot of people early in the offseason saying OF wasn't a need because we had Alcantara and Bryant was definitely gonna be a LF.

[jersey cubs fan]

I seem to recall a lot of people saying OF was a bid need, because they didn't have many outfielders.

[Guest]

I have been loudly steadfast in my belief that Bryant should be at 3B.

[Guest]

I seem to recall a lot of people saying OF was a bid need, because they didn't have many outfielders.

I think there were people on both sides but it was a pretty even split.

[Andy]

I have been loudly steadfast in my belief that Bryant should be at 3B.

I haven't been loud, but it would really, really help if Bryant can stick at 3B.

[Tracer Bullet]

I think all y'all a bunch of idiots for everything you've ever thought

[Guest]

Well, sure.

[MarkR]

What are everyone's thoughts about Fowler long term with the club? I've been really impressed with him thus far and his track record suggests that he should be a quality player for a few more years.

 

Personally, I'd love to see if they could work out a 3-4 year extension (maybe Michael Bourn money? maybe takes a bit more?) since CF is a large long term hole that we have and I'm not sure if there's any better options upcoming in FA who would surpass him in production.

[Guest]

What are everyone's thoughts about Fowler long term with the club? I've been really impressed with him thus far and his track record suggests that he should be a quality player for a few more years.

 

Personally, I'd love to see if they could work out a 3-4 year extension (maybe Michael Bourn money? maybe takes a bit more?) since CF is a large long term hole that we have and I'm not sure if there's any better options upcoming in FA who would surpass him in production.

It'll be interesting to see what Almora does this year.

[Cubswin11]

I'd really like to keep him around, but Bourn money is probably the max I'd like to see them go. Unless the payroll is going to soar the next few years.

[Guest]

Fowler presently with a UZR/150 of 18.7

[tfarks]

I think it's telling that everyone likes Fowler when his OBP is 50 pts below his career average. As long as his defense doesn't go downhill there's only good things ahead.

[sneakypower]

currently leading Cubs in WAR