Jan. 23--The Chicago Cubs and newly acquired center fielder Dexter Fowler avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing Friday to a one-year, $9.5 million contact.
Last week, the representatives for Fowler, 28, filed a salary figure of $10.8 million, while the Astros submitted a figure of $8.5 million before he was dealt to the Cubs in exchange for infielder Luis Valbuena and pitcher Dan Straily.
Fowler can become a free agent after this season, and the Cubs will take a wait-and-see approach before deciding whether to explore an extension.
Fowler batted .276 with a .375 on-base percentage last season and was acquired by the Cubs to provide more efficiency at the top of the order and provide more experience in center field.
Reliever Pedro Strop remains the Cubs' lone unsigned arbitration eligible player.
Fowler's signing was first reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
