Fowler's agent rips Orioles for 'reprehensible' actions

Hours after Dexter Fowler agreed to a one-year deal to remain with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, his agent, Casey Close, released a statement scolding the Baltimore Orioles and members of the media after it was reported earlier this week the two sides agreed to a deal.

In my 25 years in this business, never before have I witnessed such irresponsible behavior on so many fronts.

Both the Orioles front office and members of the media were so busy recklessly spreading rumors that they forgot or simply chose not to concern themselves with the truth. The Orioles' willful disregard of collectively bargained rules governing free agency and the media's eager complicity in helping the Orioles violate those rules are reprehensible.

Dexter Fowler never reached an agreement with the Orioles and did not come close to signing with the club; any suggestion otherwise is only a continuation of an already disturbing trend.

It was reported Tuesday that Fowler and the Orioles agreed to a three-year, $33-million deal, but Fowler showed up at the Cubs' spring training facility Thursday to announce he had re-signed to remain in Chicago.

"I didn't give (the Orioles) a verbal agreement," Fowler said. "I don't know where that came from. It didn't come from our camp. It kind of put me in a difficult situation. (Cubs president Theo) Epstein made a good offer, and you come back to what you know."

Orioles general manager Dan Duquette responded to Close's comments shortly after, saying that he isn't sure what the statement was about.

"I didn't really see it that way," Duquette told reporters. "We were sincere in our efforts to sign the player. If the player chooses to take less money to go with another team, that's their choice."

Though the Orioles never publicly commented on negotiations, center fielder Adam Jones believed Fowler was joining the organization, even praising the additional "stability" the team gained in adding the durable outfielder.

After the Cubs announced the signing, Duquette said he was unable to agree to a deal due to his unwillingness to include an opt-out as part of the three-year pact.

"I don't see - club ownership doesn’t see - the value in that type of arrangement to the Orioles," said Duquette.

"Our fans want to know that the guys that are playing for the Orioles (are) playing for the Orioles, that they’re committed to the team."