By
Andy Hutchins - Editor, SBNation.com
The Chicago Cubs' Kosuke Fukudome is reportedly a trade target for multiple contenders, including the Cleveland Indians.
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Jul 24, 2011 - With teams looking for outfield help in the days before the 2011 MLB trade deadline, virtually anyone with even a scintilla of a chance of helping a team will be throw into trade rumors. The
Chicago Cubs'
Kosuke Fukudome is one such player: reportedly,
multiple contenders are looking to deal for Fukudome, despite his underwhelming year so far.
The
Cleveland Indians are one of the teams in on Fukudome, and their interest is likely in shoring up an outfield that has been hampered by
Grady Sizemore's injuries. Fukudome likely won't solve the Indians' lack of pop in the outfield (Sizemore is the only Indians outfielder slugging more than .400), given his anemic .371 slugging percentage, Fukudome gets on base and plays passable defense — though less passable in 2011 — and could be rented cheaply if the Cubs pick up some of the money remaining on his contract.
The Indians are just a game and a half back of the
Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.