MLB Trade News: Chicago Cubs Trade For Dexter Fowler, Ship Luis Valbuena, Dan Straily to Houston Astros

The Chicago Cubs have traded for Houston Astros' outfielder Dexter Fowler sending infielder Luis Albuena and pitcher Dan Straily to the Texas team. The deal is confirmed by Yahoo Sports Major League Baseball (MLB) Insider Jeff Passan and the Houston Chronicle, which covers the Astros squad.

Jeff Luhnow, the general manager of the Astros believes that the deal works for his team both in the short-term and long-term. The 28-year-old Fowler is expected to explore free agency after the 2015-2016 MLB season and the team was not expected to re-sign him after the year. Getting two players of value is seen as a good move for Houston.

“It helps our club immediately and it also helps our club in the long term for a player that most likely — who knows? — but most likely would be gone after this year,” Luhnow said about the deal in the chron.com article.

Source: Luis Valbuena going to Astros along with Dan Straily in deal for Dexter Fowler.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 19, 2015

The trade of Luis Valbuena opens third base up for baseball's top prospect, Kris Bryant. Likely will arrive sometime in May, if not sooner. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 19, 2015

Meanwhile, Fowler fanned excitement of the deal that will bring him to Chicago, a club which went 73-89 last season, the worst record in the National League (NL) Central Division.

“I’m excited about it,” Fowler said in the article. “Going to an historic organisation like the Cubs is definitely one of my dreams. It’s tough to leave all my teammates and the relationships that I’ve had and nurtured, but I understand it’s a business.”

Albuena has played for the Seattle Mariners in 2008, Cleveland Indians from 2009 to 2011 and Chicago Cubs from 2012 to 2014. Straggly has played for the Oakland Athletics from 2012 to 2014 and the Cubs in 2014.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author of this article.