Report: Cardinals agree to deal with Fowler

After watching John Lackey and Jason Heyward sign with the division rival Chicago Cubs last winter, the St. Louis Cardinals have returned the favor.

The Cardinals reportedly agreed to a deal with free-agent outfielder Dexter Fowler on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

A press conference has been scheduled for 10 a.m. CT Friday morning for what's believed to be the official announcement.

The terms of the deal have yet to be announced, though Heyman adds the deal could fall in the five-year range, valued between $80-$90 million. The Cardinals are believed to have gone over-the-top with an offer in order to outbid the Toronto Blue Jays. Both teams reportedly submitted four-year, $60-million offers earlier this month.

Fowler, who arrived in St. Louis late Thursday to undergo his physical, is coming off one of the best seasons of his nine-year career, highlighted by his first All-Star appearance and capped off with a World Series win. He slashed .276/.393/.447 with 13 home runs, 25 doubles, and 13 stolen bases in 125 games with the Cubs.

Once the deal is complete, the Cardinals will be forced to surrender their first-round pick as compensation after Fowler rejected a $17.2-million qualifying offer from the Cubs.

Fowler adds a blend of speed and strong defense to the Cardinals roster, and will likely slide into the leadoff spot, while also being deployed in center field.

The Cardinals finished 86-76 last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2010.