Cubs Trade Fukudome to Cleveland

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jul 28, 2011 7:40PM

No one expected thee Cubs to be buyers as Sunday's baseball trade deadline approaches. Today's trade of outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to the Cleveland Indians further solidifies the Cubs are in looking toward the future of the organization.

Fukudome was traded for minor league prospects, outfielder Abner Abreu and right-handed pitcher Carlton Smith, and will provide much-needed backup for an injury-riddled Indians outfield. The Cubs are on the hook for all but $577,000 of what's left of Fukudome's remaining $4.7 million in salary.

Fukudome was signed by Cubs GM Jim Hendry to much fanfare (and offensive t-shirt sales) in 2008 and started both 2008 and 2009 strong before faltering at the plate and in the field, winding up in a platoon position. His career numbers with the Cubs include a .269 batting average, .369 on-base percentage and 340 strikeouts in 513 1,651 at-bats. Fukodome's .375 on-base percentage this season ranks 14th in the National League.

Tyler Colvin has been called up from Triple-A Iowa to fill Fukodome's former spot on the Cubs' roster.