After turning down an agreement with the Baltimore Orioles, Dexter Fowler re-signed with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday for a one-year, $8 million deal. The reaction was big with Cubs fans, but when the news broke, it turned out none of Fowler's teammates knew about it. So, as a surprise, Fowler arrived at Cubs spring training to announce his return, and everyone embraced him:
Dexter Fowler is BACK with the #Cubs. Theo/Jed surprise team during meeting. Wow. pic.twitter.com/UBVbeB2mlh
— Ryan McGuffey (@RyanMcGuffey) February 25, 2016
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein even had a choice quote about the surprise:
Theo "now that's a surprise, that's Godfather sh**. Nothing will top that" @DexterFowler all smiles "catfish" pic.twitter.com/gMfDubYSoF
— Kelly Crull (@Kelly_Crull) February 25, 2016
A couple Cubs players were actually convinced he was heading to Baltimore:
Fowler says Rizzo wished him luck YESTERDAY with Balt. Fowler held off telling until he arrived at the park and walked onto the mound
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 25, 2016
When Ross saw Fowler suddenly show up on field, "I didn't know what to think. 'Did he come to say bye?'"
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 25, 2016
But clearly Fowler has faith in his team:
Fowler: "Exciting time to be a Cub. I do live in Vegas, and you see up there all the time,`Cubs 4-1 [odds]’ Definitely a good time to win."
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 25, 2016
(h/t Chicago Sun-Times)