The Cleveland Indians play tonight against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field at 7:05 p.m..... The Lake County Captains play today against the Lansing Lugnuts at 10:35 p.m....

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Tribe sends two former Captains to Cubs for Fukudome

BY JUSTIN LADA
         STAFF
The Indians have been working the phones day and night to acquire an outfielder to help them in the last two months with Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo being on the DL.

On Thursday, a scheduled off day for the Tribe, the Indians acquired Kosuke Fukudome, an outfielder from the Chicago Cubs.

Fukudome, 34, signed a 4 year $48 million contract in 2008 after winning an MVP award in Japan.

Since coming to America, Fukudome has been somewhat of a disappointment, but does add something to the Indians roster.

His current .273 average puts him fourth on the team. He also has a .374 on base percentage, which is good for second on the team, ahead of Carlos Santana and just below Travis Hafner (.399)

Fukudome is a centerfielder by trade but has played right field mostly in the last few seasons. While the Indians wanted to add some pop to their lineup and preferably right handed, Fukudome is left handed and only has three home runs and 13 RBI. He has been the Cubs primary leadoff hitter this season.

One very encouraging number for Fukudome is his K/BB ratio. He has struck out 57 times but walked 46. The Indians on the season as a team are at 767 K’s (Santana leads the way at 79) and 322 walks (Santana also leads the team with 67, and Fukudome would be 2^nd on the team, Michael Brantley has 33)

The Indians have agreed to pay $775,000 left on his deal this season. In return the Indians dealt high A Kinston OF Abner Abreu (.244 12 HR 35 RBI was named Carolina League player of the week the last 2 week), and AAA Columbus P Carlton Smith (2-3 .450 34G 46.0 IP 2 saves, 46 K’s 20 BBs.) Smith back in 2007 threw seven innings of a no hitter at Low A Lake County, followed by two pitchers who preserved the no hitter.

The Indians are said to be in talks with the Dodgers about former Indians IF Jamey Carroll and SP Hiroki Kuroda, as well as the Padres about former Indian OF Ryan Ludwick and SP Aaron Harang.
E-mail Justin at: jlada@lakecounty-sentinel.com or on Twitter @mster_baseball
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POSTED 07/28/2011 13:12