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Baltimore Orioles: 5 Biggest Storylines of Offseason

By Joe Serpico

Mar 4, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Mark Trumbo (45) bats during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Mark Trumbo (45) bats during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 6, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Dexter Fowler Spurns O’s, Signs with Cubs

Not all was good in Birdland this offseason. For a while, it seemed as though the Orioles were back to being the laughingstock of the league after Dexter Fowler re-signed with the Chicago Cubs, despite reports he was going to join the Orioles.

Fowler went as far as to send a text to Adam Jones about joining the team, and hours later signed elsewhere. There are plenty of blame for the abrupt change in his decision. Fowler reportedly agreed to a three-year deal, but wanted an early opt-out. That is something the Orioles have never agreed to. What is still unknown who leaked the contract details and ultimately put the Cubs back into the mix.

We later learned that the Orioles essentially wanted Fowler to pay the cost for losing a first-round pick by signing him. While the team looks bad by doing so, that’s how the league rules are set up to negotiate with free agents. Fowler was one of several free agents that struggled to find a home this offseason because of the first-round pick that was tied to him. This is a rule that must be changed going forward.

More importantly, it left the Orioles with a hole in their outfield and atop their lineup. Fowler would have been the ideal player lead off hitter that also provided strong defense next to Jones.

Without Fowler, the O’s are five days away from Opening Day and have no idea who will be the regular left fielder this season.

Next: The Other Problem in the Outfield

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