Kosuke Fukudome

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I know there are a few on here who'd love to see the Cubs sign Fukudome when he hits free agency. Jim Callis talked about him in the most recent Ask BA:

 

I've started hearing a little buzz about Kosuke Fukudome, the fact that he'll be a free agent after 2007 and intends to come to the United States. In fact, I think it was in your Wednesday chat at ESPN.com. Beyond his monster numbers in Japan, what can you tell us about him? Is he likely to crack the Top 100 Prospects list next year and, if so, where would he rank?

 

Mike Kotowski

St. Louis

 

Fukudome, who plays for the Chunichi Dragons, was the 2006 Central League MVP and batting champion, hitting .351-31-104. He's a career .306/.393/.545 hitter with 179 homers, 599 RBIs and 66 steals in 993 Japanese games. He also went 4-for-22 with two homers as Japan won the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

 

When I first saw Fukudome, he was a 19-year-old third baseman on Japan's silver medal-winning 1996 Olympic team. Now he's an outfielder who fits best in right field but can handle center. He won't be the same kind of power hitter in the United States, but he does have some pop and is a legitimate five-tool player. He's the best U.S. prospect among Japanese position players, a more athletic version of Hideki Matsui (a career .304/.413/.582 hitter in Japan) with a little less power.

 

Matsui was nearly 29 when he signed with the Yankees in 2003, and he ranked eighth on our Top 100 that year. Fukudome will be two years older if he comes over next season. There are several exciting outfield prospects in the minors right now, and given his age, my guess is that Fukudome would rank toward the middle of next year's Top 100 if he does sign with a U.S. club.

[DiamondMind]

I spent a year in Beijing in an educational co-op/exchange program. This was available to me since my dad works there with Caterpillar. Anyway, they live in an apartment complex for westerners which has one channel that shows Japanese sports. I forget the channel name..HSK or something?

 

Anyway, I saw a few random games and just tried to focus on the players that stood out. Fukudome was one of these players. He also seemed to play at a higher level during the WBC.

 

He's one of the few Japanese players with power that will translate to the american game, IMHO. I'd be thrilled to see the Cubs make an effort to acquire him.

[Abe Frohman]

That is easily a top 5 name.

[Electron Blue]

i thought he was a stadium

[Bruno7481]

Remember how Hendry was raked over the coals for not showing interest in Kaz Matsui?

 

I don't see the Cubs ever being a serious player in these Japanese negotiations, just based off of recent history.

[goonys evil twin]

Remember how Hendry was raked over the coals for not showing interest in Kaz Matsui?

 

I don't see the Cubs ever being a serious player in these Japanese negotiations, just based off of recent history.

 

Hendry was hardly raked over the coals. The majority of fans and media paid no attention to the Kaz situation. And I don't see how that situation has anything to do with potential future moves. They did increase scouting efforts in Asia. They don't have a great history there, but I dont' see how anybody could say they'd never be a serious player over there.

[Bruno7481]

Remember how Hendry was raked over the coals for not showing interest in Kaz Matsui?

 

I don't see the Cubs ever being a serious player in these Japanese negotiations, just based off of recent history.

 

Hendry was hardly raked over the coals. The majority of fans and media paid no attention to the Kaz situation. And I don't see how that situation has anything to do with potential future moves. They did increase scouting efforts in Asia. They don't have a great history there, but I dont' see how anybody could say they'd never be a serious player over there.

 

There was quite a bit of frustration shown over here when it was clear the Cubs weren't interested, I wasn't talking about the media.

 

I just think it is a very risky market. People will look at this guy's numbers and want him, they're great numbers. But you never know if they will handle the transition.

[goonys evil twin]

There was quite a bit of frustration shown over here when it was clear the Cubs weren't interested, I wasn't talking about the media.

 

I just think it is a very risky market. People will look at this guy's numbers and want him, they're great numbers. But you never know if they will handle the transition.

 

It's not that risky of a market. And the more guys that come over the more teams are able to learn about who can make it here. They spend a ton on American amateurs who are an even bigger risk.

[AllStarMe]

Also if he's 31, his speed is likely to decline in the near future, making him not quite the five-tool player he's now known as. Doesn't mean I wouldn't be interested at all, but not for megabucks.

 

Of course getting him is contingent on Pie's showing this season. If Felix tears up AAA and shows he can compete in the Bigs, then our outfield will be set for some years with two cheap productive players, and we'd have flexibility to pay our pitchers and upgrade SS.

[Butterscup1679666578]

i thought he was a stadium

 

thank god i wasn't the only one.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If the Cubs do sign him, I'm buying a jersey! :D

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If the Cubs do sign him, I'm buying a jersey! :D

 

I'll get a home and an away.

[Outshined_One]

Remember how Hendry was raked over the coals for not showing interest in Kaz Matsui?

 

I don't see the Cubs ever being a serious player in these Japanese negotiations, just based off of recent history.

 

They were players in the Matsuzaka and Igawa bidding wars, as memory serves me correctly. I think they also briefly were involved with Iwamura.

 

Depending on the way things shake out next season, they could get involved in the Fukudome bidding. He is a free agent and no MLB team would have to pay a posting fee for the right to negotiate, so it wouldn't hurt to look into it.

[ToupeeOnFire]

i thought he was a stadium

"We're coming to you live from the Kosuke Fukudome where the Nippon Ham Fighters will take on the Hiroshima Carp!"

[Bruno7481]

There was quite a bit of frustration shown over here when it was clear the Cubs weren't interested, I wasn't talking about the media.

 

I just think it is a very risky market. People will look at this guy's numbers and want him, they're great numbers. But you never know if they will handle the transition.

 

It's not that risky of a market. And the more guys that come over the more teams are able to learn about who can make it here. They spend a ton on American amateurs who are an even bigger risk.

 

Except that these amateurs are 18-20 years old. There is an investment in the youth plus the talent.

 

With a lot of the Japanese imports they are often either in their primes, or a little bit past it.

 

Where would you rather spend the money?

[bhogg]

oh, behave, baby. . . .. yeah!

[Evers2Tinker2Chance]

oh, behave, baby. . . .. yeah!

 

TWINS Basil......TWINS

[Sammy Sofa]

oh, behave, baby. . . .. yeah!

 

TWINS Basil......TWINS

 

Yeah, that's all been officially banned from everywhere by now.

[Guest]

BUMP!

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-070520rogers,1,2268710.column?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

Phil Rogers (meh) mentions that Fukudome is on the Cubs' radar this offseason!

 

The other names in play include Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter and Japanese center fielder Kosuke Fukudome (.320-9-35 in 44 games for the Chunichi Dragons this year). Don't be surprised if the Cubs make another run at signing Hiroshima Carp ace Hiroki Kuroda (4-2, 2.72 in eight starts, including two complete games), who almost filled the spot that went to Marquis last winter.

[Soriano12]

Fukudome Awesome!

[inari]

Fukodome is Japanese baseball player numberrrr one! You must collect them all and complete the primary main objective!

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Fukudome Awesome!

 

May I say... I know nothing about him except the info provided in this thread but let me be the first to say he would become my favorite position player on the team...

 

Welcome to the Fukudome!!!!!!

[Soriano12]

Fukudome Awesome!

 

May I say... I know nothing about him except the info provided in this thread but let me be the first to say he would become my favorite position player on the team...

 

Welcome to the Fukudome!!!!!!

 

If only Haray was around to take a stab at his name.

[Drew Doughty]

Fukodome is Japanese baseball player numberrrr one! You must collect them all and complete the primary main objective!

 

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY MAIN OBJECTIVE?!?!?

[Electron Blue]

Fukodome is Japanese baseball player numberrrr one! You must collect them all and complete the primary main objective!

 

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY MAIN OBJECTIVE?!?!?

 

is it anything like one's "special purpose"?