Colorado Rockies centerfielder Dexter Fowler is earning $2.35 million this season, but in no time that could turn into a much larger paycheck. The switch hitter has been an all-star caliber player since the 2011 All-Stark break, and the going rate for center fielders keeps climbing, thanks to Andrew McCutchen andAdam Jones, most recently.
The Denver Post's Troy Renck writes that common sense suggests a multi-year deal could be in order, but points out that with Scott Boras as his agent, Fowler may not be as open to a long-term deal as most players in his position. Boras typically advises his clients -- very strongly -- to get to free agency and let the market play out in their favor.
Boras, however, has made exceptions, including Los Angeles Angeles right-hander Jered Weaver and Fowler's outfield mate Carlos Gonzalez, so anything is possible.
Fowler qualified for Super Two status last offseason so he has three more arbitration-eligible seasons ahead of him, which will cost the team more money in the long run, which is why a multi-year solution appears the best route for the club. If Fowler and Boras are amenable, a deal that buys out a couple of those arbitration years, or even a few free agent years, is possible, but it's certainly not going to be cheap. McCutchen just received a 6-year, $51 million deal from the Pirates in a similar situation as Fowler, and such a deal is likely to be used as a guage for similar players.
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