CLEVELAND _ Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler hoped to find a long-term deal elsewhere last offseason, and at one point he appeared headed to the Baltimore Orioles.
He ultimately returned to the Cubs and helped them reach the World Series for the first time since 1945. His entire focus is on helping the Cubs try to win their first World Series since 1908, but he concedes that he'll be open to consider the rival Cardinals when they search for a center fielder this winter.
"I'd consider anything," Fowler said when asked if he will consider the Cardinals this winter. "I always like to keep my options open. But right now it's about finishing up this and seeing where it takes me."
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has made no secret his desire to improve the center field position this winter. Fowler is likely to be one of the top center fielders on the free-agent market this winter.
Fowler appeared set to sign a three-year contract with the Orioles at one point last winter. Those negotiations broke down in acrimonious fashion, prompting Fowler's agent Casey Close to accuse the Orioles of "irresponsible behavior."
Fowler ultimately settled for a one-year, $8 million contract with a club option in late February to return to the Cubs.
"Obviously I didn't get those long-term deals that I wanted, but at the same time you get to come back to the team and you're playing in the World Series," he said. "You're National League champs. To add to all that it's a blessing. Sometimes you have to sit there and take a deep breath and realize that there's another plan in sight."
Fowler has rolled with it all the way to the World Series, and the Cardinals will be wise to consider him this winter.
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