Indians and Cubs close to deal for Fukudome

[elcheato]

MILWAUKEE -- The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians are close to a deal that will send outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to Cleveland, according to multiple major league sources.

The Cubs will receive a minor league pitcher and an outfielder from the Indians.

The Cubs, who signed Fukudome to a four-year, $48 million contract before the 2008 season, will kick in more than half of the $4.7 million owed to Fukudome for the rest of the season, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Tyler Colvin will be with the team in Milwaukee in case the deal is completed before game time, according to sources. Colvin is expected to get most of the playing time in right field the rest of the season.

Fukudome is batting .273 with three home runs and 13 RBIs. In three-plus seasons with the Cubs, Fukudome batted .262.

Cubs are rumored to get Abner Abreu and Carlton Smith

 

[bestkeptsecret13]

It was a solid ride for Fukudome in Chicago. Sure, he didn't live up to the contract, but who really knew what he was going to be once coming over to the U.S.? If you throw the money out the window and just look at his play, he was actually a very solid outfielder and a hell of a defensive RF. Him and Carlos Pena were pretty much the only guys that were willing to take walks on this team. Cleveland will be happy with what they're getting. Hopefully this means Brett Jackson will be up sooner than expected. I don't really care to see Colvin get another shot.

 

[elcheato]

Well he already has the 2nd highest OBP on our team lol.

 

[bestkeptsecret13]

Well he already has the 2nd highest OBP on our team lol.

He's awesome at taking walks and getting on base. Also one of the best defensive right fielders in the game. You guys will like having him in an Indians uniform.

 

[cruzg24]

Besides Ichiro and a little bit of Hideki, there just isnt much from Japanese hitters playing well in MLB. Teams ALWAYS overpay for premier japanese talent, you can thank Ichiro for that one lol. This is a good stop gap for the Indians until they get Choo Choo Train and Sizemore back.