ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Cardinals have traded outfielder Dexter Fowler to the Los Angeles Angels.
The Angels announced the acquisition on Twitter and the Cardinals announced they will receive either a player-to-be-named-later or cash considerations.
Late Thursday night, Fowler posted a message on Instagram to thank St. Louis fans for his four years here. He said:
"Man. It really never feels right or gets easy saying goodbye to your brothers and your team’s city.
Anyone who knows this game, knows it can change with the crack of a bat.
My eldest daughter spent most of her young life in STL, and my youngest was born in STL. Our little girls are Saint Louis girls.
We will always hold a place in our hearts for the city and for the team.
Thank you, Saint Louis. Thank you, Cardinal Nation."
A number of his former Cardinals teammates and celebrities with connections to St. Louis thanked him for his time:
Cardinals: Good luck Fowler Fam 👊 We’ll miss you in St. Louis!
bravoandy (Andy Cohen): 🙌
juniorfernandez02: Good luck broo 🙏🏼
yadier_marciano_molina: my bro 😪
thebigbear13ozuna (Marcell Ozuna): @dexterfowler my brother only I can say good luck in your new chapter, let’s go I’m on you 🙏🙏🙏🙏
yairomunoz07: Good luck 🙏 @dexterfowler you are the best🔥🔥👽
katiekearney: STL ❤️
First to report the trade was Radio.com Sports insider Jon Heyman, who notes that it will be a reunion in LA with Fowler and his former manager with the Chicago Cubs, Joe Maddon.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports the Cardinals will pay most of what Fowler is owed this year.
Fowler is in the final year of his contract and is set to make $14.5 million this season. Last year, he hit .233 in 31 games – which is his exact batting average over his four seasons with St. Louis. The 34-year-old has primarily played right field and posted a slash line of .233/.317/.389 slash line with a 92 OPS+ and 0.0 bWAR last year.
Without Fowler, the Cardinals' top candidates for corner outfield roles in 2021 are Dylan Carlson, 22, Tyler O'Neill, 25, Lane Thomas, 25 and Justin Williams, 25 – assuming Harrison Bader, 26, is the center fielder.
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