The Cubs have acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler in a trade with the Astros.
Left hander Dan Straily and infielder Luis Valbuena will be sent to the Astros in the deal.
Fowler, 28, is coming off a season in which he hit .276/.375/.399 with eight home runs with 61 runs scored. Once a threat on the basepaths, Fowler was just 11-of-15 in 116 games last season.
The 26-year-old Straily has primarily been used as a starter in his career but has done little. In 48 career games he has a 4.54 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. A 24th round pick of the Athletics back in 2009 he is merely organizational depth.
Valbuena, 29, is coming off the best season of his career. He hit .249/.341/.435 with 16 home runs and 68 runs scored last season in 149 games. He played at third base much of last season. His departure could open up a spot on the Cubs roster for top prospect Kris Bryant who was the 2014 Minor League Player of the Year after hitting 43 home runs and driving in 110 RBI between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.
