CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians on Thursday acquired Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome for two prospects. The Indians sent outfielder Abrner Abreu and right-hander Carlton Smith to the Cubs.

MLB had to approve how the Indians and Cubs pay the remainder of Fukudome's $13.5 million salary for this year. There is about $4.7 million left on the deal and the Indians will pay only $775,000, with the Cubs picking up the rest.

Fukudome, 34, is hitting .273 (80-for-293) with three homers and 13 RBI this season.. The left-handed hitting Fukudome has 46 walks, 57 strikeouts and a .742 OPS.

The Indians, no-hit on Wednesday by the Angels, are strapped for offense and outfielders with Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo on the disabled list.

"We feel we're better today than we were yesterday," said GM Chris Antonetti. "Kosuke Fukudome has a chance to help us offensively and defensively. He has a history of getting on base and is a good defender."

Antonetti said he will continue to try and improve the ballclub. The deadline for making trades without waivers is Sunday at 4 p.m. The deadline for making trades after acquiring waivers on players is Aug. 31.

"We're going to look at anyway we can improve our run scoring and run prevention," said Antonetti. "Fukudome helps us with both those things."

Fukudome is in the final year of a four-year $48 million deal with the Cubs.

When he signed his original deal with the Cubs, Fukudome had a limited no-trade clause. The Indians were one of the teams on Fukudome's no-trade list, but through neogtiation, he agreed to come to Cleveland.

"I won't go into details, but through our conversations with the Cubs, we found out what was important to Fukudome," said Antonetti, regarding negotiations to lift the no-trade clause. "I think the idea of playing for a contender and getting regular at-bats appealed to him."

Fukudome is a free agent at the end of the year. He'll be a Type B free agent. If the Indians offer him arbitration and he declines, they could get a draft pick as compensation next June as long as he signs with another big league club. Of course, that depends on if there are any changes in the compensation rules when a new basic agreement is approved.

The current deal expires on Dec. 11.

Look for Fukudome to start in right field for the Tribe. Since Choo broke his left thumb on June 24 after getting hit by a Jonathan Sanchez pitch, the Indians have been platooning Travis Buck and Austin Kearns.

Buck was designated for assignment shortly after the trade was made official to make room for Fukudome.

"We feel he'll play mostly in right field," said Antonetti.

Choo said Wednesday he expects to be back playing by Aug. 15. When the Indians have talked about Choo's return, they've mentioned early September.

Fukudome has been the Cubs right fielder since 2008. In just over 3 1/2 seasons with the Cubs, Fukudome hit .262 with 37 homers, 169 RBI and 236 runs. He has a career .369 on base percentage, .402 slugging percentage and a .772 OPS with Chicago.

The Indians will get Fukudome when he's hot. He's hitting .429 (6-for-14) in his last seven games. He spent 69 games this season in the leadoff spot, hitting .268 (71-for-265) with 29 runs.

He's hitting .273 against righties and .273 against lefties.

Antonetti said he'll let manager Manny Acta decide where Fukudome hits in the lineup.

"He told me he's comfortable hitting first or second. He's even hit fifth a lot," said Antonetti.

Abreu, 22, is hitting .243 (82-for-377) with 16 doubles, five triples, 12 homers, 34 RBI and 42 runs for Class A Kinston. He's a 6-3, 182-pound outfielder.

Smith, 25, is the brother of former Indians No.1 pick Corey Smith. He's 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 34 games at Class AAA Columbus. Smith is 6-1 and 219 pounds. He's been in the Indians system for seven years.

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