*Photo from The Athletic*
The Los Angeles Angels decided to reunite manager Joe Maddon with one of his old players. The Angels have acquired OF Dexter Fowler and cash considerations from the St.Louis Cardinals in exchange for a player to be named later, according to an announcement by the Angels. The Cardinals will be paying the majority of Fowler's contract, with the Angels only responsible for $1.75 million of his contract. Both teams have confirmed the trade.
Fowler spent the shortened 2020 season in the middle of the Cardinals order, posting a .233 average with a .706 OPS, hitting 4 homers and driving in 15 runs in 31 games played, just over half the regular season. In Fowler's 13 major league seasons, he has a .259 average with a .776 OPS, hitting 127 homers and driving in 516 runs in 1,453 games played.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in a statement about the departure of Fowler that "We are extremely grateful for everything that Dexter has done for us over the past four years, both on the field and with his generous work in the community. He also said that "With the expectation that we will have plenty of competition in the outfield this season, and with Dexter's approaching free agency, we felt that this deal made the most sense for all parties."
Fowler will likely slide into the starting right field role for the Los Angeles Angels, joining forces with perennial MVP candidate Mike Trout in center and Justin Upton in left field, giving top outfield prospects Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh some extra time to develop in the minor leagues.
Angels GM Perry Minasian said of the Fowler acquisition that "I think there's a couple things we really liked, and No. 1, the guy. He's an outstanding human being. It's a high-energy player, which over a 162-game season is really important. And this guy brings that smile, that energy on a daily basis and we still think he can play. We think there's a lot left in the tank. He had a down year last year and he's the first one to tell you that. But the homework we've done. He's put a ton of work in this offseason."
Fowler reunites with Maddon, who he played for in the 2015 and 2016 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, winning a title in 2016, the year Fowler made his first and only all star game up to this point. After 2016, Fowler went to the Cardinals on a 5 year contract, with this year being the last year of the contract before Fowler hits free agency.
Fowler is the latest in a long line of offseason acquisitions made by Minasian and the Angels front office since Minasian took over, with Alex Claudio, Jose Quintana, Alex Cobb, Jose Iglesias, Kurt Suzuki, and Raisel Iglesias all brought in to reinforce the team depth around their superstar Trout.
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