BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Outfielder Dexter Fowler throws the O's a curve, signing with his former team--the Chicago Cubs.

Fowler held a press conference Thursday, saying he never had an agreement with the Orioles.

He admits, however, he walked away from a deal in Baltimore to take less money to play for the Cubs.

The one-year contract includes a mutual option for 2017.

It was reported Fowler and the Orioles had reached an agreement on a three-year deal.

His agent issued the following statement:

"In my 25 years in this business, never before have I witnessed such irresponsible behavior on so many fronts. Both the Orioles front office and members of the media were so busy recklessly spreading rumors that they forgot or simply chose not to concern themselves with the truth. The Orioles' willful disregard of collectively bargained rules governing free agency and the media's eager complicity in helping the Orioles violate those rules are reprehensible. Dexter Fowler never reached agreement with the Orioles and did not come close to signing with the club; any suggestion otherwise is only a continuation of an already disturbing trend."

Orioles outfielder Adam Jones had spoken with Fowler, who told Jones he was excited about joining the O's, and even Cubs players say they thought he was signing with Baltimore.

O's general manager Dan Duquette says the deal fell apart when Fowler insisted on an opt-out provision--a clause the O's refuse to include.