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| Kosuke Fukodome |
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.
I'll have more on the two players the Indians gave up, Abreu and Smith, later tonight including their full 2011 scouting reports.
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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9 comments:
i don't like this but i will reserve judgment until july 31. if this is the only move they make, what the hell is the point? he is not a game changer by any means.
He gets on base better than any player left on the market, more than pence more than any 25th best in all of baseball, should hit 1 or 2, with Brantley in the other spot and really solidifies the top 5 spots.
It can't hurt to have more guys on base.. It's pretty much what Fukudome brings to the table and not a lot more.. The cost, two sub 20's prospects is pretty low...
do we know if we get any compensation picks if/when he walks at the end of the year? and what round would the pick(s) take place in? thanks. seems like they gave up on Abner despite massive upside, i hope they're right in their assessment
do we know if we get any compensation picks if/when he walks at the end of the year? and what round would the pick(s) take place in? thanks. seems like they gave up on Abner despite massive upside, i hope they're right in their assessment
who cares if he gets on base? they still need people to knock him in! Don't forget, yes, we did drop Buck, but there are still offense black holes in this lineup.
Although Fukodome is a type B free agent, meaning we would likely get a supplemental pick if offered arbitration, there is no way the Indians offer Fukodome arbitration. He made 14 million dollars this year. Arbitration would cost too much and he would likely take the offer. Don't see that happening.
I concur about giving up on Abner...seems awfully risky, especially considering the farm is so short on impact outfielders (and has been for a while)
John Hart said Indians biggest need was a guy to get on base. Everyone is concentrating so much on the RH bat and all that that I think one thing being missed is we need to get guys on before we can drive them in. Also, considering he is taking Buck's spot in the lineup even though Fukudome is just a marginal player he is still a significant upgrade over Buck. More moves are coming.
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