Chicago Cubs News 2015: Dexter Fowler Given Qualifying Offer

After joining the Chicago Cubs via trade in January, center fielder Dexter Fowler has been given a $15.8 million qualifying offer from the team. In case he signs a major league contract with another team before the amateur draft next year, the Cubs will have an extra selection in the first round.

The team likewise claimed Ryan Cook off waivers from the Boston Red Sox.

Although Fowler did not have a great start with his new club after the trade, he did come up big toward the end of the season, providing the needed manpower for the Cubs to reach the NLCS.

But several reports say that although the qualifying offer was somewhat expected, there is a strong possibility that he will land in another team with team management making sure they're taking the draft pick as some sort of compensation, while at the same time looking for other options at center field. The good news for Fowler is that he has the opportunity to get a more lucrative deal somewhere else compared to the qualifying offer.

As a matter of fact, baseball observers think that the 29-year-old is more than deserving to demand for a contract that is worth at least $60 million for four years.

It is also interesting to know that Fowler is just one of the 20 other players in Major League Baseball who was given the $15.8 million qualifying offer, which actually is the most in four years since the system was put to play. Every player will then be given a week to come up with the decision of whether they're going to accept the offer or choose to become a free agent instead.

In the event that the Cubs fail to bring Fowler back, it means that they don't have any other choice but to look for a replacement for the center field; but this time, they will have to settle for a shorter deal and for a cheaper player.