Cubs, Dexter Fowler Avoid Arbitration With $9.5M Deal

(CBS) The Cubs and recently acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler have avoided arbitration by settling at $9.5 million for this season, according to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman. That figure was $150,000 below the midpoint of what the sides were requesting.

Chicago acquired Fowler in exchange for right-hander Dan Straily and infielder Luis Valbuena in a trade with Houston last week. Fowler is expected to be the Cubs' everyday center fielder and lead-off hitter.

The 28-year-old Fowler hit .276 with a superb .375 on-base percentage last season. Cubs brass had emphasized the need to add players who have high on-base percentages after the team's collective mark was .300 in 2014.

Fowler also had 61 runs, 35 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 116 games with Houston last season. He added eight homers.

A switch hitter, Fowler has a career .366 on-base percentage.