Indians acquire Fukodome from Cubs
10:38 AM TONY NO COMMENTS

Kosuke Fukodome
The Indians today have acquired outfielder Kosuke Fukodome from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for High-A Kinston outfielder Abner Abreu and Triple-A Columbus right-handed reliever Carlton Smith.

Fukodome, 34, is a veteran outfielder the Cubs signed out of Japan and who debuted stateside in 2008. This year he is hitting .273 with 3 HR, 13 RBI and a .742 OPS in 87 games. He is a left-handed hitter, which likely means he will replace Travis Buck or Ezequeil Carrera on the roster and get most of the playing time against right-handed pitching. In the last three years he has a .262/.374/.420 line against right-handers.

Fukodome is not an impact bat or a run producer. Instead he is a leadoff hitter and tablesetter, something the Indians could use considering Carrera has been hitting leadoff of late. Fukodome's game is centered more around making consistent contact (340 Ks in 1967 PA) and getting on base (.369 career on-base%), something the Indians could use in a strikeout laden lineup.

Fukodome is in the last year of a 4-year $48 million contract he signed with the Cubs. He has roughly $4.7 million left on his contract this season, which the Cubs are expected to pick up more than half of it where the Indians will only need to pay about $775K. He is under control after this season, though per the rules in his contract the Indians would need to offer him an extension by November 15th or release him.

This appears to only be the first of a few moves expected from the Indians. The Indians still need a right-handed bat and also are pursuing starting pitching.

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Posted in: Abner Abreu,breaking news,Carlton Smith,Kosuke Fukudome,trade deadline

Travis buck has been designated for assignment.

Abreu has a ways to go before reaching the major leagues. As of now, he's a lot more likely to be the next Bernardo Brito than the next Albert Belle.

Fukudome does get on base and that's a useful skill even on a team with a better offense than this one; plus he 's not as likely as certain people I could mention to allow fly balls to drop in key moments. But what they really need (in addition to better health) is a mid-order RH bat who is better than LaPorta, and Fukudome doesn't really qualify. And given that the Indians' issues in the outfield go back several weeks, and given that the Cubs have been dead since Mother's Day, you wonder why this trade couldn't have been made at the beginning of the month.

Thanks to all for the information on Abreu.

Kearns better be the next one out.

Looks like the Indians have designated Buck for assignment. He's younger than Kearns and a better hitter, but other than that he really doesn't have anything going for him, so it makes perfect sense.

you wonder why this trade couldn't have been made at the beginning of the month.

Has something to do with the Cubs also talking with Toronto before Toronto acquired Rasmus. Chris A said (a day ago) that he needed to see a couple of trades to happen (Rasmus, Beltran) to loosen the trade market.

Charlie T. wrote:Looks like the Indians have designated Buck for assignment. He's younger than Kearns and a better hitter, but other than that he really doesn't have anything going for him, so it makes perfect sense.

Tells you that Acta is doing everything to keep Kearns.

The Indians will get Fukudome when he's hot. He's hitting .429 (6-for-14) in his last seven games. He spent 69 games this season in the leadoff spot, hitting .268 (71-for-265) with 29 runs.
He's hitting .273 against righties and .273 against lefties.

Fangraphs

Acquiring Fukudome is by no means a splash, but that’s not what the Indians needed. They needed someone who upgraded on their current outfield, and Fukudome is certainly that. When he puts on an Indians jersey tonight he’ll represent one of their four best active players, and by this year’s numbers he’s their best active performer in the outfield. It’s tough to make that kind of acquisition without it being a huge move. But the Indians found someone who represents and upgrade, and they moved quickly. He might not bring all the tools they need to upgrade, but considering the market and the Indians current position, he was probably the best option available.

I think by far the most impressive this about this trade is that -- unlike me -- the Indians management is still going for success in 2011. They continue to take aggressive moves unlike what we've seen in a number of seasons; first by bringing up Alex White well before the magic date in June to delay abritration rights; and getting Phelps, Chisenhall and Kipnis to the majors, too. I still don't think there's much chance we can make the playoffs but hat's off for trying. While they're at it I sure hope they're looking for a RH bat.

Not that he was a major prospect, but Abreu was one of very very few OFs in the system who had any prospect characteristics and one of very very few power hitting bats.

Does this mean Kearns goes to the bench or does brantley go back to CF and Kearns mans? a corner with Fukodome?

RF for Fukodome says Antonetti in Articles

Thanks Civ.

At least the Tribe is doing something.

Fukodome has to be better than what we have seen in recent weeks.

From Jayson Stark:

The Indians are turning their attention to starting pitching, but players Drew Pomeranz, Alex White, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Jason Kipnis appear to be untouchable.