Is Jesse Rogers branching off into the Agent business.

This morning I read this concerning Dexter Fowler's upcoming free agency......

Cubs OF Dexter Fowler proving he's worth big money

What will he cost? Plenty. His career on-base mark is higher than Jacoby Ellsbury who cashed in with the New York Yankees to the tune of seven years at $21 million per year after a career season in 2013, when he stole 52 bases while reaching base 35.5 percent of the time. He was about the same age as Fowler is now. Angel Pagan is a good example from the other end of the spectrum. He signed for 4 years and $40 million after 2012, and his career on-base percentage is just .329.

Even with a little hometown discount Fowler deserves close to Ellsbury-type money. His services are worth close to that $20 million plateau more and more players are reaching. Four years at $70-80 million sounds like a good deal doesn’t it?

Fowler is proving he just might deserve it.

I'm very happy Fowler has turned things around here in the second half, but in no way would I be offering the guy 20 million a year. Rogers compares him to Ellsbury, which is fine, but didn't most sane thinking people question that contract as soon as the Yankees signed him? I always figured Dexter was a prime candidate for a qualifying offer. Maybe Almora isn't ready to take over next year or ever, but that doesn't mean a long term deal for Fowler should be in the cards. Either he takes the one year deal or you walk away with the draft pick. Simple as that.

Offer the one year contract and take the good draft pick and move on. You need another starting pitcher that would better to use that money for.

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so wait... jacoby ellsbury gets a stupid giant contract and because dexter fowler has a better OBP hes going to command as much or more? whaaaaa?

did fowler ever go off and steal 50-60+ bases in a season? did he ever snap and have a crazy 30+ HR season like ellsbury did that one year? i think those extremes factored into the yankee deal (thinking he could swell up to either of those high marks in HR/SB) and with fowler..... man i just cant see him getting ellsbury #s. he's had a nice season but that much? maybe if the yankees are desperate again, i guess.... and why would they be if they have ellsbury there? =D

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Jesse Rogers proving that he sucks, once again.

Anyone who watches these games knows Fowler does not deserve anything close to that type of money.

Agreed, if he wants that kind of money then you tip your cap to him and wish him well.

Jesse...and that guy is paid by ESPN national as a contributor. It kind of puts the rest of ESPNs stable of local reporting into perspective.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

So the Cubs' hot streak and Dexter Fowler's hot streak are 100% coincidental?

The leadoff man getting on-base is supremely important to a productive offense. Who leads off next year if not for a guy like Fowler? The next five years are no time for the club to get cheap.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Yes it's very beneficial to have someone at the top who consistently gets on base, but handing out stupid contracts is only going to hurt you in the long run. There is no baseball world that exists where it would be a smart decision to hand Fowler 20 million per for multiple years.

LOL at $20 mil per year for fowler. insane

Jesse...just another rational Cub fan.

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No team is giving him $20M a year. But you definitely offer him more than just the qualified offer - maybe he will re-sign for something that makes sense to the club,

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Isn't the qualifying offer something like the average of the top 10. That is going to cost you as well but obviously only for a year

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

No. Qualifying offer will be $15.5M+. No way you offer him that.

Of course you offer the qualifying offer. Michael Cuddyer (!) was given a QO last year and rejected.

Fowler can easily get 4/40.

No player has ever taken the qualifying offer. You don't get a pick if you don't offer the QO contract.

I'd extend the QO and like...3 years @ $14M a year. If he wants to be a part of a World Series championship or three, he will sign it, and everyone wins.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

seriously i cant wait to see this sub/generation's bartman reboot!

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Compare Coughlan's stats, with over 100 fewer at bats, versus Fowler's stats. For 7 million dollars less a year.

I would have no problem sticking him in the leadoff spot for way less money.

Platoon splits. Coghlan has a .362 OPS versus lefties.

And holy shit, C-O-G-H-L-A-N

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Good job on the misspell. That's a pet peeve of mine.

Sure he gets on base but he gets thrown out on base... a lot.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Bob Nightengale @BNightengale
The #Cubs still have not placed displaced SS Starlin Castro on waivers, but CF Dexter Fowler went through waivers, and cleared.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

If Castro was put on waivers and claimed, would you just let the club have him, like when the Sox claimed Rios? I would. So many middle infielders, they could afford to lose him and the salary is too high if he's not a starter.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I'd consider it, but I'm not sure I would.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Jesse Rogers ‏@ESPNChiCubs 3m3 minutes ago

Cubs sign Emilio Bonifacio to a minor league deal. Was with them last year, traded on deadline day to Atl. Released by White Sox recently

First instinct is to think "September pinch runner" but then I remember he is terrible on the basepaths.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Does he have a chance to make a playoff roster with his ability to play so many positions? I still like this guy; thought he played well with the Cubs last season and then didn't have a role with the White Sox this season.

What would his role be? His defense isn't that great, his baserunning is terrible, and the Cubs have many better pinch hitting options.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Maybe he can teach Castro how to pay attention for nine innings.

I heard about a guy who claims to be an Expos fan in 2015....tard.

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Kenny Williams fell for the banana in the tailpipe