Updated 7:27pm CST – According to Buster Olney, Dexter Fowler and the Orioles are discussing a deal for two to three years with an AAV in the range of $12-13 million. Olney’s sources said the Orioles expect to complete contracts for Dexter Fowler and Yovani Gallardo.
According to a report from Roch Kubatko, Dan Duquette continues to have conversations with free agents Yovani Gallardo and Dexter Fowler. And the Orioles are confident they will be able to sign both players.
Kubatko indicated the Orioles are just working out money in the contracts for Gallardo and Fowler. Kubatko added the “price has apparently changed” but did not say which players asking price was different that previously reported.
Reports last week suggested Gallardo could be looking at a deal in the three-year, $40 million range. For Fowler, it could cost the Orioles around $20-25 million over two years to land the veteran outfielder.
Multiple reports have indicated the Orioles would not be interested in Fowler unless Gallardo signed first. Duquette was apparently willing to forfeit his first round pick for Gallardo, but not Fowler. Duquette would surrender his first two picks in the draft if he could add both players to his roster.
Roch Kubatko reported Wednesday the Orioles “would be interested in signing Fowler even if they don’t get Gallardo.” The Orioles see Fowler as a fit in right field while providing Buck Showalter a leadoff hitter which would move Manny Machado down in the lineup.
The Orioles “like Jay Bruce” according to Kubatko, “but there are concerns about his drop in production.”
The Rangers, White Sox and reportedly the Cubs are the other three teams still in on Fowler.
The Cubs interest in Dexter Fowler is unknown. And while the front office has not closed the door on re-signing him, there does not appear to be legitimate interest in bringing him back.
Will update as reliable information becomes available …
Updated 1:43pm CST – According to Roch Kubatko, the Orioles “are also optimistic about their chances” of signing Dexter Fowler. Kubatko explained in his afternoon update that the Orioles “are fine with surrendering its first two draft picks,” currently No. 14 and No. 29 to sign Gallardo and Fowler.
The hold up signing both players is over guaranteed money. Gallardo’s cost has risen and “moved away from the amount that earlier was deemed sufficient to get his signature on a contract.” Kubatko added that “neither side is discouraged.”
The Orioles would be willing to surrender the 14th overall pick in the draft to sign Fowler. Gallardo and Fowler are apparently no longer “a package deal” where Duquette was not going to give up his first round pick just for Fowler.