Chicago Cubs: A review of the 2015 season

Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs trade for Dexter Fowler

The Cubs had Luis Valbuena at third, but with Kris Bryant expected to take over, a trade had to be worked out.

Enter the Houston Astros, who traded Fowler for Valbuena and Dan Straily.

That ended up being one of the biggest moves by the Cubs this season.

Fowler became the table setter for the Chicago Cubs offense. When he got on base, the big hitters like Rizzo, Bryant, Soler and company drove him home. When he struggled, so did the offense.

In April, Fowler got off to a .299 batting average and a .372 on-base percentage, and the Cubs got off to a good 12-7 start. In May and June, he hit just .214, with an on-base percentage of .289, and the Cubs went 28-27. For the rest of the season, he hit .262 and had an on-base percentage of .376, and the Cubs were 54-28.

It continued in the Wild Card game, where he had three hits, including a home run, and a home run.

Fowler becomes a free agent at the end of the season. It will be interesting to see if the Cubs decide to sign him, or go with another option, such as Jason Heyward or Denard Span.

Fowler may have played himself to a big-dollar contract, and he deserves one with how he spent his time in Chicago.

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