Jones said Fowler was 'excited' to join Orioles

Dexter Fowler's surprising return to the Chicago Cubs triggered a war of words Thursday between his agent and the Orioles after multiple reports earlier this week indicated the free-agent outfielder was signing with Baltimore.

Among those who believed Baltimore had a deal - reported to be three years, $33 million - was outfielder Adam Jones, who told reporters Wednesday that Fowler was "excited" to join the Orioles, and that "he should be on his way now."

Sources told Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun that Fowler was expected to arrive at the Orioles' spring training facility in Sarasota on Thursday to take his physical. Instead, Fowler showed up in Arizona to announce to his former teammates he had signed a one-year deal to return to the Cubs.

Hours after the Cubs deal was made official, Fowler's agent, Casey Close, released a statement scolding the Orioles and members of the media for "recklessly" reporting his client had agreed to a deal with Baltimore.

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

Baltimore general manager Dan Duquette, who earlier said the deal fell apart after Fowler insisted on an opt-out clause, responded to Close's comments Thursday, saying the Orioles 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," said Duquette, before questioning Close's motivation for releasing such a statement. "What's he going to say now, that it's not about the money?"