Prospects in the Kosuke Fukudome Trade

by John Sickels on Jul 28, 2011 9:00 PM EDT

WASHINGTON, DC - FILE: Kosuke Fukudome #1 of the Chicago Cubs hits against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 7, 2011 in Washington, DC. According to reports July 28, 2011, the Cubs have traded Kosuke Fukudome to the Cleveland Indians for two prospects. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Prospects in the Kosuke Fukudome Trade

The Chicago Cubs traded outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to the Cleveland Indians for a pair of prospects, outfielder Abner Abreu and right-handed pitcher Carlton Smith. Here is a look.

Abner Abreu, OF: Abreu is from the Dominican Republic. A 21-year-old outfielder signed in 2006, the right-handed hitter has power and speed, as shown by 12 homers and 19 steals for High-A Kinston this year. His overall line is .244/.294/.429, with 22 walks and 102 strikeouts in 336 at-bats. He's got tools and is young, but has very significant issues with plate discipline. Grade C.

Carlton Smith, RHP: Smith was a 21^st round pick back in 2004, and has moved through the system slowly. He has a decent arm, with a 90-92 MPH fastball and a good slider, but his statistical performances have been mixed. He's pitching for Triple-A Columbus this year, posting a 4.50 ERA with a 46/20 K/BB in 46 innings with 45 hits allowed. He has a chance to contribute as a middle reliever. Grade C.

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I'm okay with the deal

Even with the Cubs eating so much money. I’m not enthused about either prospect (particularly Abreu, as I just haven’t seen him take many good swings when I’ve seen him play … obviously haven’t seen him in this hot streak of his), but Fukudome posted something like a .244/.330-.340/.361 line from May 1st and on. He was an older OF with minimal power in the last year of his deal.

I just didn’t think Fukudome’s value was all that high, and even accounting for the money, getting a lottery ticket in Abreu and a decent upper level pen arm is a decent return. There’s a chance that both of these guys don’t stick long in the Cubs system, but even then, if the money saved, even though it is relatively minimal, is utilized elsewhere (say, for the draft, where the Cubs are rumored be spending huge on), then it would still be a decent deal.

It’s a deal that makes sense for the Indians as well. Fukudome’s post April line sucks, but it’s probably an upgrade for Cleveland. How big? Probably not much, IMO (which Antonetti sort of acknowledged by saying it was an incremental upgrade), but they aren’t paying much and gave up two guys that are so far down their depth charts that they won’t need to be bothered by it.

by toonsterwu on Jul 28, 2011 11:05 PM EDT reply actions