Desmond, Fowler poised to cash in as FAs

Dexter Fowler and Ian Desmond took their gambles last offseason. They are in position to hit the jackpot this time around.

In 2015, after declining the $15.8 million qualifying offer teams had to extend to free agents to receive Draft pick compensation if the player signed elsewhere, neither Fowler nor Desmond found long-term offers of interest. They both signed one-year commitments — Fowler making $13 million from the Cubs and Desmond earning $8 million from the Rangers — which, after strong 2016 efforts, puts them in great position this offseason amid one of the weaker free-agent markets in recent memory.

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Seemingly afterthoughts a year ago, Fowler and Desmond — who furthered enhanced his value by making a seamless move from shortstop to center field — are among the prime talents on this year’s free-agent market. Fowler was a key part to the Cubs’ first World Series championship since 1908, filling the leadoff spot in the lineup and reaffirming his claim to being a well-above-average center fielder.

And this offseason? Fowler is listed as the fourth-best free agent on the market by MLB.com based on WARcel projections for 2017, and Desmond is listed sixth. This is not one of those eye-popping free-agent classes. But teams are still looking for ways to beef up their rosters, and free agency appeals to most of them because it only costs money, not top prospects, to add a free agent.

Justin …

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