KNEE-JERK REACTIONS: Orioles Sign Dexter Fowler

Source: #orioles reach agreement with Dexter Fowler on 3 year deal

— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) February 23, 2016

So fans asking how Gallardo physical impacts Fowler, there you go #orioles

— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) February 23, 2016

Our staff react to the news…

Stephen Adams

Love it! OBP. Decent pop. Shores up the OF. Think he’ll be average in a COF spot and apparently is a good clubhouse guy.

Tyler Lombardi

This move solidifies this offseason as the most active for thttps://twitter.com/danconnolly2016/status/702150768694956032he Orioles I can remember. I like this signing much more than I like the Gallardo signing. I’ve been clamoring for a player who can get on base consistently. Looks like we finally have one.

Andrew Stetka

This is a deal that gets me way more excited than the one for Yovani Gallardo. Dexter Fowler provides the Orioles a true lead off hitter and a good on-base guy. Being able to move Manny Machado down in the order will only help the offense. Like Gallardo, he was signed out of necessity because the O’s really didn’t have a third outfielder. They couldn’t trot Nolan Reimold, L.J. Hoes or Joey Rickard out there and be taken seriously. There are really only one or two bench spots now up for grabs after this deal.

Joe Polek

They have spent the money on their offense, now let’s see if their pitching can return to 2014 form. If so, look for the O’s to win the AL East. If it doesn’t, they will struggle for the wild card.

Phil Backert

No disrespect to Nick Markakis, but Dexter Fowler gives the Orioles their first legit leadoff hitter since Brian Roberts. Fowler’s ability to get on base along with stealing bases helps set the tone for the rest of the lineup. Buck Showalter can now move Manny Machado into the two hole which sets up a streak of hitters who can all hit 30 homeruns. This lineup is lock and loaded and should easily finish as a top 5 offense in baseball.

Jonathan French

Dexter Fowler is the latest domino to fall in the Orioles’ offseason, and he will presumably play right field for the Orioles – a position he has never played before as he has been a centerfielder for his entire career. His defense in centerfield has been well below average for years (career -56 DRS), but Adam Jones has that spot locked up, so Fowler would only play there in case of injury. However, Fowler’s arm has been a big part of that weakness defensively in centerfield so it remains to see how that will effect the Orioles defensively, as they were used to the arm strength of somebody like Nick Markakis, a former pitcher. Fowler would be better served playing left field, but that is where Hyun-soo Kim will play as he also has a weaker arm and has mainly played left field in the KBO. The Orioles could find a lot of baserunners testing the corner outfielder arms in 2016 due to their defensive alignment.

Fowler’s offensive profile looks like he fits the Orioles perfectly because of his career wOBA of .346 and 12.4% BB% and his time in the leadoff spot, but if you take a look at his splits, you see that much of Fowler’s value comes from his ability to hit LHP, not RHP where he is merely average. Fowler has a career 101 wPA+, and .337 wOBA against RHP compared to a 121 wPA+ and .367 wOBA vs. LHP. Last season with the Cubs, Fowler stayed true to these splits, so there’s pretty good reason to think he isn’t going to change. The good thing is that his plate approach seems unchanged vs. both types of pitchers, and having a player with a career 12% BB rate and 22.6% O-Swing% is going to be quite a change from all the free-swingers that all Orioles fans are used to seeing. Dan Duquette has been saying he’s wanted players with better on-base ability since he arrived and it seems this offseason, he has finally delivered. With Fowler and Kim perched at the top of the Orioles lineup and on the bases, the Orioles should finally be able to maximize all that power they have amassed.

The contract is pretty good value, but it had to be as once again the Orioles will surrender a draft pick, causing them to drop to having only four picks in the top 100 slots (if/when the Gallardo deal is completed) and losing that associated bonus pool money. While I would have preferred the Orioles have traded for a rightfielder, Fowler, if he adjusts defensively, should provide the Orioles a good return on their investment and the Orioles will have a much more balanced lineup, especially against LHP to take on their American League rivals in the quest for a World Series title.

Ryan Blake

Fowler takes the place of Nolan Reimold in a lineup that desperately needed a true leadoff hitter. His high OBP will look wonderful ahead of Manny Machado and Adam Jones, and the threat of a stolen base or two will put some pressure on opposing pitchers. Though I’m a Reimold fan myself, Fowler improves this team and gives us a very well-rounded lineup.

My only concern is how he will adjust to right field. Fowler is a pretty bad defensive center fielder but keep in mind that he has played in some tough stadiums (Colorado, Houston, Chicago) with not-so-great defenders around him. Hopefully the decrease in the amount of ground he’ll need to cover will prove to be beneficial.

Joel Katz

Man oh man what a busy week we’ve had! As I noted in my knee-jerk for Gallardo, I commend ownership for embracing the “win-now” mentality. It’s going to be an exciting season at the Yard! Now to Fowler…

I’m a big fan of this move for several reasons. First, this addresses two major problems the Orioles had last year: (1) corner outfielder productivity; and (2) poor OBP stats. With Fowler, the O’s get a strong defensive outfielder who has a proven ability to get on base (.363 for his career). Second, Fowler will presumably be our leadoff hitter, which will allow Buck to move Manny down in the lineup to produce more runs. Third, the move prevents he O’s from rushing the development of Dariel Alvarez and from relying too heavily on Nolan Reimold — who has proven himself as an effective platoon player. Finally, the short-term nature of this contract provides flexibility for the O’s beyond 2018, which will give them a shot at retaining Jones & Machado when they become free agents.

With our potent offense and dominant bullpen, I’m excited about the Orioles’ chances in 2016 (pending physicals, of course).

Paul Valle

Fantastic move. Two potential high-OBP guys in Fowler and Kim setting the table for a monster heart of the order in Manny, Jones, and Davis. The addition gives the Orioles lineup little-to-no weaknesses. Fowler’s speed and defense paired with that of Adam Jones should take away a lot of extra-base hits in right center. Peter Angelos has given even the biggest of naysayers in Baltimore nothing to complain about after spending potentially $285m this offseason.