Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal tweeted Thursday morning a rumor about the Cubs’ Kosuke Fukudome:
MLB Trade Rumors: Indians In ‘Serious Talks’ For Kosuke Fukudome
There had been some interest in Fukudome from other teams, including the Giants, but with San Francisco about to finalize its deal to acquire the Mets’ Carlos Beltran, it would seem that Cleveland would be Fukudome’s most likely landing spot.
Fukudome was signed to a four-year, $48 million deal by the Cubs before the 2008 season and had been pursued by (and offered larger deals by) other teams, including the White Sox and Padres, largely based on his power numbers in Japan. He’s been a disappointment in that area since he came to MLB, with a career high of 13 HR (last year) and 58 RBI (in 2008).
Fukudome does have good plate discipline; he has a career OBP of .369 and this year, his on-base number stands at .374. He plays good defense in right field and would help the Tribe, who are desperate for outfield help, quite a bit in their quest for the AL Central title.
The Cubs might have to eat much of Fukudome’s deal, but he is in the last year of the contract, so the money isn’t that large, and a mid-range prospect would probably be asked for in return.
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