Source: Orioles, Fowler agree to 3-year deal

February 23rd, 2016

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles aren't wasting any time. 
With Yovani Gallardo signing a two-year contract Wednesday, according to sources, Baltimore also had a deal in place to fill its other major hole, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with outfielder Dexter Fowler, a source confirmed to MLB.com Tuesday night. The team has not commented on the deals. 
Fowler's deal, worth $33 million according to a tweet by MLB Network's Jon Heyman, fills the Orioles' right-field hole and contributes to a record-spending season for the O's. The club also retained Chris Davis, Matt Wieters and Darren O'Day, among others. 

Fowler, who batted .250 with a career-high 17 home runs in 150 games for the Cubs last season, is expected to play right field for the Orioles. He's also a likely leadoff choice for manager Buck Showalter. 
Both Gallardo and Fowler will cost the O's a Draft pick to sign. Assuming Gallardo is announced first, costing Baltimore the No. 14 pick, Fowler will require the club to forfeit its second pick, No. 29 overall. 
2016 Draft order
Fantasy spin | Fred Zinkie (@FredZinkieMLB): Coming off a 2015 season in which he posted the highest homer total (17) and the second-best steals tally (20) of his eight-year career, Fowler has the potential to be a useful multi-category contributor in an advantageous situation with the Orioles. Projected to hit atop the lineup in front of Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Davis, the outfielder could score 100 runs for a second straight campaign and should receive a bit of help in the power department from hitter-friendly Camden Yards. By adding a leadoff man with a lifetime .363 on-base percentage, the O's have slightly boosted the RBI potential for Machado, Jones and Davis.