http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/07/28/2120619/indians-acquire-fukudome-from.html
Jul, 28, 2011
Indians acquire Fukudome from Cubs
By SHELDON OCKER / Akron Beacon Journal
Is Kosuke Fukudome the answer or does his acquisition raise more questions for the Indians?
In announcing the acquiring of Fukudome, a right fielder, from the Chicago Cubs, Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti said Thursday, "Generally speaking, I think we're a better team today than we were yesterday. Kosuke has s history of getting on base and putting up good at-bats."
Antonetti added that Fukudome is a solid outfielder, who has played right field almost exclusively this season but frequently has played center in the past.
He does not have the kind of statistics that engender excitement among the fans. In 293 at-bats, Fukudome is batting .273 with 15 doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI.
The statistic stressed by Antonetti is Fukudome's on-base percentage of .374, 14th best in the NL. His 46 walks rank 13th in the league, and he has limited his strikeout ratio to one every 5.1 at-bats.
Antonetti did not portray Fukudome as a savior of the Tribe's vanishing offense, saying that he makes the team better "incrementally."
Fukudome comes with two built-in deficiencies: The Tribe does not need another left-handed batter, and Fukudome is not a run-producer.
"He will play right field for now," Antonetti said, adding that it would be up to manager Manny Acta to decide where he will hit in the lineup and how much platooning will be done with right-handed batting Austin Kearns.
"Kosuke has had some success against left-handers, but I'll leave that up to Manny," Antonetti said. "Where he bats in the lineup also will be up to Manny, but Fukudome has the versatility to hit in a number of places in the order."
For the season, Fukudome is batting .273 against lefties but in only 33 at-bats. For his career, Fukudome is batting .249 against left-handers in 257 at-bats.
When Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo come off the disabled list, probably near the end of August or beginning of September, Fukudome's role probably will diminish. But the Indians can't wait to repair an offense that was on the wrong end of Ervin Santana's no-hitter Wednesday in a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Moreover, Antonetti said he is still in talks with teams about another deal before the 4 p.m. Sunday trade deadline. He did not specify if he is more likely to obtain a hitter or a pitcher.
"We are certainly looking for every opportunity to improve the team," he said.
Antonetti did not pay a big price for the 34-year-old Fukudome.
The Indians sent Single-A Kinston right fielder Abner Abreu, 21, and Triple-A Columbus reliever Carlton Smith, 25, to the Cubs.
Two years ago, Abreu was one of the more highly touted players in the Indians' farm system, but he has struggled since then.
Recently, however, he has shown signs of figuring it out. Though he is batting only .244 for the season, he has 12 home runs, 35 RBI, and last week, he was selected by the organization as the Tribe's Minor League Player of the Week.
Smith, 25, has made 34 appearances for the Clippers, posting a 2-3 record and 4.50 ERA. In 46 innings, he has struck out 46 and walked 20.
"We understood that we were going to have to give up players we like to improve our team," Antonetti said.
Fukudome is in the last season of a four-year, $48 million contract, which in 2011 was worth $13.5 million. Of the $4.7 million that is left, the Cubs allegedly are paying all but $775,000.
Even though Fukudome would be eligible only for arbitration, he will become a free agent because of a clause in his contract that frees him to sign with any team if the Cubs do not re-sign him by Nov. 15.
Antonetti said that under current rules (the Basic Agreement is being renegotiated), if the Tribe offers Fukudome arbitration and he refuses and then signs a major-league contract with another club, the Indians will receive a draft choice. Fukudome will be a Type B free agent.
Fukudome waived his limited no-trade clause to complete the deal. Antonetti did not say whether his acceptance had to be purchased.
"There were a handful of teams in his no-trade clause, and we were one of them," Antonetti said. "I think in the end he looked at the deal as a chance for him to get to the postseason and get regular at-bats."
To make room for Fukudome on the roster, Travis Buck was designated for assignment.
"The addition of Fukudome gives us another left-handed outfielder (like Buck)," Antonetti said. "He also plays right field, the same as Buck and would displace Buck's at-bats."
Not happy
It's not fun to be on the wrong side of history, which is what happened to the Indians on Wednesday when they were no-hit.
Worse, the Tribe had a 1-0 lead but five errors and a passed ball cost the club two unearned runs.
"We just didn't play that well," first baseman Matt LaPorta said. "There were five errors, really some silly mistakes. You can't play that way and be a championship team.
Jul, 28, 2011
Indians acquire Fukudome from Cubs
By SHELDON OCKER / Akron Beacon Journal
Is Kosuke Fukudome the answer or does his acquisition raise more questions for the Indians?
In announcing the acquiring of Fukudome, a right fielder, from the Chicago Cubs, Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti said Thursday, "Generally speaking, I think we're a better team today than we were yesterday. Kosuke has s history of getting on base and putting up good at-bats."
Antonetti added that Fukudome is a solid outfielder, who has played right field almost exclusively this season but frequently has played center in the past.
He does not have the kind of statistics that engender excitement among the fans. In 293 at-bats, Fukudome is batting .273 with 15 doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI.
The statistic stressed by Antonetti is Fukudome's on-base percentage of .374, 14th best in the NL. His 46 walks rank 13th in the league, and he has limited his strikeout ratio to one every 5.1 at-bats.
Antonetti did not portray Fukudome as a savior of the Tribe's vanishing offense, saying that he makes the team better "incrementally."
Fukudome comes with two built-in deficiencies: The Tribe does not need another left-handed batter, and Fukudome is not a run-producer.
"He will play right field for now," Antonetti said, adding that it would be up to manager Manny Acta to decide where he will hit in the lineup and how much platooning will be done with right-handed batting Austin Kearns.
"Kosuke has had some success against left-handers, but I'll leave that up to Manny," Antonetti said. "Where he bats in the lineup also will be up to Manny, but Fukudome has the versatility to hit in a number of places in the order."
For the season, Fukudome is batting .273 against lefties but in only 33 at-bats. For his career, Fukudome is batting .249 against left-handers in 257 at-bats.
When Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo come off the disabled list, probably near the end of August or beginning of September, Fukudome's role probably will diminish. But the Indians can't wait to repair an offense that was on the wrong end of Ervin Santana's no-hitter Wednesday in a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Moreover, Antonetti said he is still in talks with teams about another deal before the 4 p.m. Sunday trade deadline. He did not specify if he is more likely to obtain a hitter or a pitcher.
"We are certainly looking for every opportunity to improve the team," he said.
Antonetti did not pay a big price for the 34-year-old Fukudome.
The Indians sent Single-A Kinston right fielder Abner Abreu, 21, and Triple-A Columbus reliever Carlton Smith, 25, to the Cubs.
Two years ago, Abreu was one of the more highly touted players in the Indians' farm system, but he has struggled since then.
Recently, however, he has shown signs of figuring it out. Though he is batting only .244 for the season, he has 12 home runs, 35 RBI, and last week, he was selected by the organization as the Tribe's Minor League Player of the Week.
Smith, 25, has made 34 appearances for the Clippers, posting a 2-3 record and 4.50 ERA. In 46 innings, he has struck out 46 and walked 20.
"We understood that we were going to have to give up players we like to improve our team," Antonetti said.
Fukudome is in the last season of a four-year, $48 million contract, which in 2011 was worth $13.5 million. Of the $4.7 million that is left, the Cubs allegedly are paying all but $775,000.
Even though Fukudome would be eligible only for arbitration, he will become a free agent because of a clause in his contract that frees him to sign with any team if the Cubs do not re-sign him by Nov. 15.
Antonetti said that under current rules (the Basic Agreement is being renegotiated), if the Tribe offers Fukudome arbitration and he refuses and then signs a major-league contract with another club, the Indians will receive a draft choice. Fukudome will be a Type B free agent.
Fukudome waived his limited no-trade clause to complete the deal. Antonetti did not say whether his acceptance had to be purchased.
"There were a handful of teams in his no-trade clause, and we were one of them," Antonetti said. "I think in the end he looked at the deal as a chance for him to get to the postseason and get regular at-bats."
To make room for Fukudome on the roster, Travis Buck was designated for assignment.
"The addition of Fukudome gives us another left-handed outfielder (like Buck)," Antonetti said. "He also plays right field, the same as Buck and would displace Buck's at-bats."
Not happy
It's not fun to be on the wrong side of history, which is what happened to the Indians on Wednesday when they were no-hit.
Worse, the Tribe had a 1-0 lead but five errors and a passed ball cost the club two unearned runs.
"We just didn't play that well," first baseman Matt LaPorta said. "There were five errors, really some silly mistakes. You can't play that way and be a championship team.
