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Podcast: Dexter Fowler takes us inside his free-agency experience

Mike Oz

This is The StewPod, our baseball podcast with a dash of pop culture. If you dig the show, please subscribe and review us on iTunes.

Dexter Fowler finds himself in a fascinating place these days: He’s still riding high off the Chicago Cubs’ World Series win, but he’s also a free agent and it’s looking increasingly likely his time with the Cubs is over.

The Cubs signed Jon Jay to a one-year deal on Tuesday, which many fans and people in the industry took to mean that the Cubs won’t be resigning Fowler. But what better way to find out then ask the man himself, right?

Dexter Fowler during the Cubs World Series parade. (AP)
Dexter Fowler during the Cubs World Series parade. (AP)

Fowler joined us on this week’s StewPod to talk about free agency, his post-World Series experience and how he’s helping raise money for a cool youth sports initiative. But first, free agency.

Fowler said he got a call from Cubs president Theo Epstein telling him about the Jon Jay deal.

“We talked,” Fowler told us. “I realize it’s a business. You gotta do what you gotta do. I’m gonna do what I have to do on this end. He does what’s best for his ballclub. At the end of the day, there’s no hard feelings. They still look at me as family and I do the same.”

Asked whether he thinks the door is shut in Chicago, Fowler said: “I always leave my opinions open. You never know.”

While we wait to see where Fowler lands, he’s also helping Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Sports Matter program and its #SaveYouthSports effort. Dick’s is selling special green shoelaces and $2 from each sale goes to Sports Matter. The program has saved a youth football team in Houston and will continue to help other underfunded youth sports programs around the country.

The game taught me so much growing up. Things I still carry with me today, and that helped me on a title run. I can't imagine young players not having the chance to be on the field because of funds, and learn the same invaluable characteristics of teamwork, focus, and camaraderie. Grab some green laces at @dickssportinggoods to #SaveYouthSports where $2 of every pair sold helps underfunded teams. #ad

A photo posted by Dexter Fowler (@dexterfowler) on Nov 22, 2016 at 7:05pm PST

HERE’S A FULL RUNDOWN OF THE PODCAST:
• Intro: Mike and Chris are back together
• Dexter Fowler joins the podcast
• Are his days in Chicago over now that the Cubs signed Jon Jay?
• What’s it like being a free agent in 2016. How does he get his information?
• How much does he follow rumors on social media?
• Besides money, what goes into making a decision where to play?
• What did he learn from free agency last year?
• Why are youth sports important to him?
• Shoelaces and his favorite sneakers
• What was his most unbelievable post-World Series moment?
• When do you get back to regular life?
• Rapid-fire: Favorite place to eat on the road, offseason binge-watching, music and movies
• Mike and Chris talk about the Yoenis Cespedes signing
• Which big free agent is the next to fall?
• The Andrew McCutchen trade market?

[Music: “Cash Machine” by D.R.A.M.]

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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!