Dexter Fowler, coming off a World Series victory with the Chicago Cubs, opted to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals in part because they are always in the title hunt.

"You get a taste of winning a World Series and you want to do that again," Fowler said. "You're excited and you want to get back and win the World Series. With the Cardinals, they're always in the hunt. That was a big part of my decision."

Fowler said Theo Epstein called him before the Cubs acquired Jon Jay to tell him the club wouldn't be making him an offer to return.

The Cardinals scooped Fowler up for $82.5 million over five years.

Fowler was due a big payday after having a career-high .393 on-base percentage and hitting 13 home runs for the Cubs last season, including a blast in Game 7 of the World Series.