Chicago Cubs: Poor free agent decisions derailed a potential dynasty

(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

Theo Epstein made two critical decisions in the last few weeks of 2015 that altered the fate of the Chicago Cubs franchise. In early November, Dexter Fowler became a free agent after the Cubs declined to re-sign him to a long-term deal. Six weeks later, the Cubs signed outfielder Jason Heyward to an eight-year, $184 million contract. The first move lead, albeit accidentally, to the Cubs World Series victory. The second helped ensure there would not be another.

Fowler did not remain a non-Cub for long. After his contract negotiations with the Orioles collapsed over the Birds’ bizarre last minute shakedown, Fowler returned to Chicago on a one-year, $8 million…