Is the World Series party for the Chicago Cubs coming to an end earlier than expected? It is natural with any championship team, that successful players can be lured by huge increases in pay on the free market. It appears  that is what is happening based on a report this afternoon by the Tribune, that Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler has recently denied the team’s qualifying offer of $17.2 million offer for a one-year deal. Fowler now a free agent, is able to court potential offers from the Cardianals, Giants, Mariners, and Rangers. The Cubs must finalize their 40 man roster by Friday, with 34 players currently, with few spots left open for any possible trades or free agent acquisitions.  Read the full story with further analysis here. 

It would be a noticeable loss for the Cubbies as Fowler had quite the season in the leadoff spot, where he was .276 at bat with 13 homers, 48 RBI and 84 runs scored.