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On Thursday evening, word broke that the Cardinals traded outfielder Dexter Fowler to the Angels. Shortly after, the deal was official: Fowler and cash to the Angels for a player to be named later or cash.
OFFICIAL: The #Angels have acquired OF Dexter Fowler and cash considerations from the St. Louis Cardinals.
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) February 5, 2021
Welcome to the Halos, @DexterFowler! pic.twitter.com/BdcYTW8a0N
As Jon Heyman said, the fact that the Cardinals are getting a PTBNL means the trading of Fowler was more or less a salary dump. Fowler is owed $16.5 million for this 2021 season. It also reunites Fowler with his former Cubs manager, Joe Maddon, who he won a World Series with in 2016. With Fowler out of the mix, the Opening Day outfield for St. Louis has taken a little more shape; there won’t be such a logjam for playing time. Tyler O’Neill in left field, Harrison Bader in center, and Dylan Carlson in right.
"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.”
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 5, 2021
Fowler had to approve the trade, as the contract he signed with the Cardinals had a no-trade clause. Not only did this deal reunite Fowler with Maddon, as noted above, but it puts him significantly closer to his home in Las Vegas. So, considering these two notes and the idea that playing time in St. Louis could definitely be sporadic at times, this trade is a logical move for all involved.