Cubs, Fowler agree to $9.5 million, 1-year deal

CHICAGO (AP) The Cubs and recently acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler have agreed to a $9.5 million, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

Chicago also claimed right-handed pitcher Gonzalez Germen off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Friday, becoming the right-hander's fourth team in 5 1/2 weeks.

Fowler, acquired in a trade with Houston this week, made $7.35 million last season, completing an $11.6 million, two-year deal. He asked for $10.8 million in arbitration last week and was offered $8.5 million by the Astros. He is eligible for free agency after the season.

Fowler, 28, hit .276 with eight homers and 35 RBIs last year in his only season with the Astros. He has a .271 career average.

Chicago acquired Fowler for infielder Luis Valbuena and right-hander Dan Straily.

Right-hander Pedro Strop in the Cubs' last player in arbitration. He has asked for a raise from $1,325,000 to $3 million and has been offered $2 million.

Germen was 1-2 with one save and a 4.31 ERA in 54 relief appearances the past two years with the New York Mets. He was 0-0 with a 4.75 ERA in 25 games last season.

Germen was designated for assignment by the Mets on Dec. 15. That started a flurry of transactions that continued with a trade to the New York Yankees on Dec. 19. He was designated for assignment on Jan. 13 and traded to the Rangers a week later.