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Athletics Designate Dustin Fowler For Assignment

By Mark Polishuk | February 22, 2021 at 11:14am CDT

The A’s have designated outfielder Dustin Fowler for assignment.  This was the corresponding move to create roster space for Trevor Rosenthal, whose deal with Oakland has now been officially announced.

Perhaps best known for his inclusion as part of the trade package sent by the Yankees to the A’s in the July 2017 Sonny Gray trade, Fowler hit .224/256/.354 with six home runs over 203 plate appearances with Oakland in 2018.  His only other MLB experience was a single game with the Yankees in 2017, as Fowler’s big league debut was ruined after he ruptured his right patellar tendon after running into an electrical box while chasing a fly ball at Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field.

It was a particularly damaging injury for a player known for his speed while coming up through the minor leagues, though Fowler still managed some respectable (25-for-31) stolen base totals with the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate in 2018 and 2019.  Ramon Laureano’s emergence turned Fowler into a somewhat expendable part of Oakland’s future plans, though Fowler is still 26, and he has posted some strong post-injury hitting numbers at the Triple-A level.

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Oakland Athletics Transactions Dustin Fowler

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56 Comments

  1. CubsWin108

    4 years ago

    Typical A’s move…

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      4 years ago

      what, designating a player that hasn’t done much of anything since leaving NYY?

      6
      Reply
      • SoxRewl

        4 years ago

        Exactly. Making sound roster decisions. Typical As.

        10
        Reply
        • Pauly2112

          4 years ago

          Whoop, there it is!

          Reply
      • Loling @ you

        4 years ago

        Didn’t do much with yankees his minors numbers are better with a’s just overvaluing yankees prospects per usual.

        1
        Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          4 years ago

          Yeah for sure, @tetsumaki –

          The Yanks hype machine is so awesome. That’s a big reason why Cashman is able to “fleece” so many GMs.

          shhhhhhhhh…please, bro. Keep it a secret. It’s a huge advantage.

          2
          Reply
      • Braveslifer

        4 years ago

        He hasn’t been the same since he hit the fence in NY…

        2
        Reply
        • zacharydmanprin

          4 years ago

          He hit the fence in Chicago.

          Reply
      • stubby66

        4 years ago

        Guessing the Brewers will pick him up

        Reply
      • Asfan0780

        4 years ago

        Well kaprelian didn’t pitch at all in 2017 and 2018 and the trade happened july of 2017. It’s possible he might be a useful pitcher and his velocity was mid 90s in a brief call up as a reliever during shortened season. But it’s hard to trust the injury history. He also turns 27 next month

        Reply
    • small_market_chub

      4 years ago

      Typical stupid comment from cubswin108…

      2
      Reply
      • CubsWin108

        4 years ago

        I meant it was a good move… I love the A’s and the Rays.

        2
        Reply
        • worthington

          4 years ago

          It’s a move teams make all the time.

          1
          Reply
  2. galer18

    4 years ago

    Damn shame, given what happened with him and that nasty knee injury he got. Not saying he would have turned into anything, but he could have at least had a chance for playing time had he not gotten injured.

    2
    Reply
  3. Asfan0780

    4 years ago

    Well that sonny gray trade ended up lousy lol, for both sides

    1
    Reply
    • Far Beyond Driven

      4 years ago

      James Kaprielian still has a chance to pan out. He was the center piece of that prospect return.

      2
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        4 years ago

        While I agree he could pan out, was he really the centerpiece? weren’t him, Fowler, and Mateo all of about the same regard at the time?

        Reply
        • Far Beyond Driven

          4 years ago

          He was the only first round draft pick included in the trade

          2
          Reply
        • Far Beyond Driven

          4 years ago

          He was also a top 100 prospect

          1
          Reply
        • JohhnyBets67

          4 years ago

          They all were top 100 guys at the time. Kaprielian was actually injured when traded. Arguing that he was the centerpiece is highly questionable. They were all around the same value at that time

          2
          Reply
        • SoxRewl

          4 years ago

          Yeah at the time I recall they were all similarly regarded, with Fowler being the most enticing piece in my own opinion. I viewed Kaprellian as last of the three, although if he works out it of course is all worth it.

          Reply
        • DarkSide830

          4 years ago

          my point exactly. he might have previously been higher but his stock took a hit with thr injury.

          Reply
        • JohhnyBets67

          4 years ago

          I think Mateo was the guy who had the highest ceiling. He just never figured out the plate discipline piece. That was always his knock.

          1
          Reply
      • HBan22

        4 years ago

        It almost seems like some people forgot about Kaprielian. Sure, he has battled injuries, but he was a top prospect and his minor league numbers are very good. He’s one to keep an eye on.

        2
        Reply
        • mrmackey

          4 years ago

          He’s like a much less durable Rich Harden,

          Reply
      • mrmackey

        4 years ago

        Kap is made of glass, and that is an insult to the durability of glass.

        2
        Reply
      • vwnut13

        4 years ago

        James Kaprielian is 27 and has thrown 101 career professional innings.

        1
        Reply
  4. Orioles Fan

    4 years ago

    Would love to see the Orioles sign him

    Reply
    • gcg27

      4 years ago

      We have better outfielders than him

      Reply
      • JohhnyBets67

        4 years ago

        But there is one waste of 40 man space on the roster. Chris Davis should go for Dustin Fowler any day of the week.

        1
        Reply
      • Orioles Fan

        4 years ago

        I know we do but we could use the depth. Martin and Hayes have been injury prone.

        Reply
  5. Loling @ you

    4 years ago

    Another overrated yankees prospect. Are you surprised?

    2
    Reply
    • Brixton

      4 years ago

      Its been 5 years and a catastrophic leg injury since he was a yankees minor leaguer

      6
      Reply
    • pinstripes17

      4 years ago

      Most of the Yankees prospects pan out actually, whether it’s for them or for other organizations.

      1
      Reply
    • Old User Name

      4 years ago

      Tats.. How many times sre you going to reference your disdain for Yankees prospects in this article?

      4
      Reply
    • DarkSide830

      4 years ago

      he got injured but okay

      1
      Reply
    • driftcat28 2

      4 years ago

      What???? He hasn’t been a yankee in years

      1
      Reply
  6. mlb1225

    4 years ago

    Just goes to show how offensive heavy the PCL was in 2019. He hit .277/.333/.477 with 25 home runs, a .341 wOBA yet still only had a 93 wRC+.

    Reply
  7. solaris602

    4 years ago

    Cleveland should be all over this.

    1
    Reply
    • Asfan0780

      4 years ago

      That would be interesting. Since A’s got rule 5 pick ka’ai Tom from indians

      Reply
  8. KCJ

    4 years ago

    I seem to remember that he filed a lawsuit against Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate field because of the exposed electrical box. Does anyone have any info on the results of that?

    Reply
    • sss847

      4 years ago

      discovery is ongoing.

      i wonder what would happen if the sox claimed fowler on waivers. are they only allowed to speak to him through attorneys?

      2
      Reply
      • KCJ

        4 years ago

        SSS847 –
        Thanks for the info! I’ve been wondering about that for a while

        Reply
  9. Cohn Joppolella

    4 years ago

    Braves will snag him.

    Reply
    • bravesfan88

      4 years ago

      Lately that’s been the trend, they’ve been slowly but surely adding some platoon bats to their bench and a few reclamation projects, but let’s face it having their backup catcher which will either be Jackson or Contreras, Adrianza, Ender, and then Camargo was DEFINITELY NOT going to cut it!!

      That is not the bench of a team trying to win their division, much less make a run towards the NLCS!! I feel alot better now that they’ve added Kipnis, Lamb, and possibly Ervin to the mix..

      Even so, I certainly wouldn’t mind the Braves taking a run at Fowler, and allowing him to fight it out in Spring Training with Inciarte and Ervin to win their 4th OF spot.

      I think a bench of Jackson/Contreras, Adrianza/Camargo, Kipnis, Lamb, and then either Ervin, Fowler, or Inciarte is a huge upgrade over what they had just only a few weeks ago..It would definitely depend on how Inciarte is looking come ST as to whether or not he even got a chance to stick on the roster. If he just continues to slap weak grounders to second base, and if he’s still a step slower on the bases and in the field, then there is just no way you can carry him on the roster. They’re just going to have to eat his 8mil or so, and cut bait if that’s the case. That 4th OF spot was filled in excellently by Duvall last season, they can’t afford to get negative production out of that spot, especially if anyone misses any time.

      If so, they’re going to have to carry Ervin and Lamb on the roster. Lamb can slide into 3B, when he’s needed and that should be adequate enough if someone like Ozuna or Pache goes down, they should be able to at least get some decent production. Then, Acuña Jr. can slide over into CF, and you can take the favorable matchups between 3B and LF with Lamb, Riley, and Ervin…

      To me, like I said, that’s a heck of alot better than having to rely on Camargo and Inciarte as your only backups in case of an injury…YIIIIKES!!!

      Reply
  10. HBan22

    4 years ago

    I’m rooting for this dude, personally. I was watching that game where he suffered that catastrophic knee injury, and I remember feeling so bad for him because he has just gotten called up to the majors for the first time. I’m not sure if the injury is what caused his decline in performance, but he was never really given a true chance with the A’s, for whatever reason. Hope he goes to a club that will give him a real chance to get back to the Bigs.

    1
    Reply
  11. mbgutt

    4 years ago

    Pirates should put in claim

    Reply
  12. kwolf68

    4 years ago

    This is why it’s so hard to make it in baseball. Fowler was a lower draft pick (19th I think) and developed as a prospect with + power and + speed and capable (though since proven to be average at best) defense. He made it to Top 5 in the Yankees system and was part of the ole’ prospect for talent trade.

    He made Oakland in 2018, that was not good, sent to the farm. Had a great Spring in 2019, but the As gifted the LF spot to Grossman. Fowler has pretty much been in AAA since, putting up very good numbers, but actually merely average numbers when considering the league he was playing in.

    The As are a smart organization I think they no longer see upside in Fowler and needed to move people out with these signings. With no options remaining Fowler was the odd man out. Left handed OF at bats will come from Tom (Rule 5 pick), Seth Brown, Bolt.

    Oakland places a large value on plate discipline and even though Fowler has pretty good bat to ball skills, pop and speed, the fact he’s such a free swinger doesnt allow him to use his talent and often offers at pitches he can’t do much with.

    There is still plenty of talent in him and I suspect a team will pick up on him and give him a look. There is still time. There are plenty of examples of late bloomers. Guys like Max Muncy, Whitt Merrifield, Dylan Moore. Fowler could still be a productive player, but he has certainly fallen from grace.

    3
    Reply
    • gost1

      4 years ago

      So smart they drafted Kyler Murray with their 1st pick! So smart they thought they had the firepower in 2018 and didn’t trade Treinen at deadline. Two simple moves right there that could have pushed them over the top in ’19, and ’20+.

      Fine with me though since I’m an Astros fan. HOU should claim the division once again, and not look back for awhile. Funny after losing Springer this Fowler kid isn’t even on our radar with Straw Brantley Tucker McCormick Siri Souza and Diaz to fill in, til Pedro Leon is ready. All that talk of JBJ or any number of OF, or pitching when in fact We’re Set!

      A’s “smarts” is an extremely overrated cliche’..

      Reply
  13. le r.

    4 years ago

    Plate discipline issues have been a problem for him

    Reply
  14. GothamNeedsMe

    4 years ago

    I know it’s Dustin Fowler but when I saw the picture I immediately thought it was Dustin Johnson for a second.

    Reply
  15. mack423

    4 years ago

    Surprised he was still on the 40-man and wasn’t outrighted a while ago.

    Reply
  16. vwnut13

    4 years ago

    Perhaps best known for breaking his knee.

    Reply
  17. bravesfan

    4 years ago

    Would love the Braves to go get him as a bench guy or just as a project. Former big time prospects are always worth the effort in my opinion

    Reply
  18. bronxboy28

    4 years ago

    I would like the Yankees pick him up again just because of how they handled his injury. He never got an at bat before that injury! Give him an invite Yankees!

    Reply
  19. talking baseball

    4 years ago

    Versatile outfielder that has speed, can never have to many of those. I’m thinking Giants all the way. Giants have a couple of outfielders that are good, but they think to much and are now on the forgettable list. Go with the kid that hustles and thinks mind over matter.

    Reply

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