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Heyman: Blue Jays Reported to Offer Dexter Fowler Four Years/$60 Million

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Dexter Fowler has long been at the top of the Toronto Blue Jays’ shopping list this offseason. Similar to how a potential car-buyer starts talking numbers after they’ve kicked the tires and are interested in the vehicle, the Blue Jays and Dexter Fowler’s camp may now be sitting down and talking numbers.

The Blue Jays are one of the few teams which have been rumoured to maintain serious interest in the free agent outfielder. With two vacant outfield spots on the roster and with Fowler as one of the remaining marquee free agents, the Blue Jays could make a big splash at the Winter Meetings by landing Dexter Fowler.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports Network reports the details of some figures which may have been exchanged between both parties:

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Toronto made an offer to Fowler, believed to be in the four-year, $60 million range, but Fowler’s camp is said to be looking for a deal closer to $18 million annually.

If that’s really the case, the Blue Jays and Dexter Fowler aren’t really that far off. If the Blue Jays are sitting in the $15 million AAV neighbourhood and Fowler is asking for an $18 million AAV, splitting the difference at $16.5 million AAV or four years and $66 million seems reasonable for a player of Fowler’s calibre.

If anything, that valuation might actually be a little on the low side. But if the Toronto Blue Jays are only one of a few teams which have expressed serious interest in Fowler, his agent may be wise to come with an agreement sooner rather than later.

As we’ve seen, it seems like Edwin Encarnacion is having difficulty landing the term and dollars his camp is looking for, and that initially reported deal of four years and $80 million from the Blue Jays suddenly doesn’t look so bad.

On the flip side, if the Blue Jays come in with a low ball offer, they run the risk of pushing away Dexter Fowler entirely.

But if Heyman’s report is somewhat accurate, it kind of falls in line with the strategy which the Blue Jays have taken this winter, in the same vein as the Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce signings; look for value deals, and don’t egregiously pay for free agents.