"Is Kosuke Fukudome the answer or does his acquisition raise more questions for the Indians?

In announcing the acquiring of Fukudome, a right fielder, from the Chicago Cubs, Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti said Thursday, "Generally speaking, I think we're a better team today than we were yesterday. Kosuke has a history of getting on base and putting up good at-bats."

Antonetti added that Fukudome is a solid outfielder, who has played right field almost exclusively this season but frequently has played center in the past.

He does not have the kind of statistics that engender excitement among the fans. In 293 at-bats, Fukudome is batting .273 with 15 doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI.

The statistic stressed by Antonetti is Fukudome's on-base percentage of .374, 14th best in the NL. His 46 walks rank 13th in the league, and he has limited his strikeout ratio to one every 5.1 at-bats.

Antonetti did not portray Fukudome as a savior of the Tribe's vanishing offense, saying that he makes the team better "incrementally."

Fukudome comes with two built-in deficiencies: The Tribe does not need another left-handed batter, and Fukudome is not a run-producer."