Last offseason- Japanese pitcher Cubs were interested in?

[badnews]

Does anyone remember who that was? I remember he didn't have to go through the posting system.

 

Already before the season is over people are bellyaching to throw away a ton of money and our #19 draft pick on an up-and-down reliever, I'm trying to figure out why we don't look elsewhere or even stand pat.

[BCVM22]

I think it was current Hiroshima Carp RHP Hiroki Kuroda. What I don't remember is the length of the new contract he signed with Hiroshima last offseason; he may still be under contract with them.

[badnews]

You're right, his name sounds familiar.

[Guest]

Yeah, it was Kuroda.

 

According to this Kuroda is eligible to be posted this offseason (don't know how reliable that is).

 

BTW, everyone's favorite Kosuke Fukudome had elbow surgery to remove bone chips about a month and a half ago. He's expected to be ready for the start of the 2008 season.

[BCVM22]

BTW, everyone's favorite Kosuke Fukudome had elbow surgery to remove bone chips about a month and a half ago. He's expected to be ready for the start of the 2008 season.

 

He can still sign a contract with his arm in a sling, can't he? :wink:

[badnews]

Yeah, it was Kuroda.

 

According to this Kuroda is eligible to be posted this offseason (don't know how reliable that is).

 

BTW, everyone's favorite Kosuke Fukudome had elbow surgery to remove bone chips about a month and a half ago. He's expected to be ready for the start of the 2008 season.

 

I don't understand the fascination with Fukudome. Most of his numbers are worse than Iwamura's, and Iwamura's production out of a right fielder is poor. Add in to that due to this build-up he seems in line to get a rather risky and pricey contract, I have to agree with Nancy Reagan, just say no.

[1908]

I don't understand the fascination with Fukudome. Most of his numbers are worse than Iwamura's, and Iwamura's production out of a right fielder is poor.

What numbers are you using?

 

Career

.306/.393/.545 Fukudome

.300/.366/.519 Iwamura

 

Best season

.351/.438/.653 Fukudome

.300/.383/.583 Iwamura

[Roast]

I don't understand the fascination with Fukudome. Most of his numbers are worse than Iwamura's, and Iwamura's production out of a right fielder is poor.

What numbers are you using?

 

Career

.306/.393/.545 Fukudome

.300/.366/.519 Iwamura

 

Best season

.351/.438/.653 Fukudome

.300/.383/.583 Iwamura

 

1908 - 1

badnews - 0

[BDWeav71]

I don't understand the fascination with Fukudome. Most of his numbers are worse than Iwamura's, and Iwamura's production out of a right fielder is poor.

What numbers are you using?

 

Career

.306/.393/.545 Fukudome

.300/.366/.519 Iwamura

 

Best season

.351/.438/.653 Fukudome

.300/.383/.583 Iwamura

 

 

 

Geo and Fuku would be too much for the National League to handle.

[sherwood921]

Yeah, it was Kuroda.

 

According to this Kuroda is eligible to be posted this offseason (don't know how reliable that is).

 

BTW, everyone's favorite Kosuke Fukudome had elbow surgery to remove bone chips about a month and a half ago. He's expected to be ready for the start of the 2008 season.

 

I don't understand the fascination with Fukudome. Most of his numbers are worse than Iwamura's, and Iwamura's production out of a right fielder is poor. Add in to that due to this build-up he seems in line to get a rather risky and pricey contract, I have to agree with Nancy Reagan, just say no.

 

Aside from the fact that he is a good ballplayer...re-read his name. His jersey would be a top seller.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

I think I read he will use his first name on his jersey.

[YearofDaCubs]

Yeah, it was Kuroda.

 

According to this Kuroda is eligible to be posted this offseason (don't know how reliable that is).

 

BTW, everyone's favorite Kosuke Fukudome had elbow surgery to remove bone chips about a month and a half ago. He's expected to be ready for the start of the 2008 season.

 

I don't understand the fascination with Fukudome. Most of his numbers are worse than Iwamura's, and Iwamura's production out of a right fielder is poor. Add in to that due to this build-up he seems in line to get a rather risky and pricey contract, I have to agree with Nancy Reagan, just say no.

 

Aside from the fact that he is a good ballplayer...re-read his name. His jersey would be a top seller.

:lol:

[Guest]

I think I read he will use his first name on his jersey.

 

Alex Ochoa advised him to wear his first name in the U.S.

[badnews]

1908 - 1

badnews - 0

 

Why do this?

 

Aside from the fact that he is a good ballplayer

 

I don't know... I think we need more to justify the kind of hype that is going on.

 

What numbers are you using?

 

The wrong ones apparently. And the Baseballcube has slightly different ones still. In any event, their numbers aren't terribly different, the investment in Iwamura seems reasonable, whereas all the chatter about Fukudome seems to indicate he'll get a lot more.

 

Iwamura, Fukudome, and Johjima all had standout years their last years in Japan (assuming Fukudome goes to the MLB). Of them all, I would've imagined Johjima would've stood up the best because his blend of contact skills and power (since 2001 at least) were pretty intriguing, and his numbers have been nice but not his last 2-3 years in Japan.

 

Johjima's contract is also very reasonable.

 

Would anyone go 4 years, $48 million on Fukudome? I wouldn't. Even if he hits somewhat better than Iwamura it still seems like money poorly spent. If you would go that high, than what's the maximum money/years you would offer?

 

Perhaps I've gotten the wrong impression about the expected contract of Fukudome from internet rags. Iwamura's contract is reasonable. Johjima's contract, absolutely. 4/48 for Fukudome does not seem reasonable, yet that's the ballpark people keep mentioning.

 

Maybe I should rephrase it - at what monetary figure, ballpark, do you lose interest in signing Fukudome?

[1908]

What numbers are you using?

The wrong ones apparently. And the Baseballcube has slightly different ones still.

Baseball cube doesn't list Iwamura's and Fukudome's 2005 seasons for some reason. The numbers I listed are from japanesebaseball.com.

 

In any event, their numbers aren't terribly different, the investment in Iwamura seems reasonable, whereas all the chatter about Fukudome seems to indicate he'll get a lot more.

 

Iwamura, Fukudome, and Johjima all had standout years their last years in Japan (assuming Fukudome goes to the MLB). Of them all, I would've imagined Johjima would've stood up the best because his blend of contact skills and power (since 2001 at least) were pretty intriguing, and his numbers have been nice but not his last 2-3 years in Japan.

I like Kosuke's bat the best out of the three you mention above. Fukudome's production over his past three healthy seasons in Japan compares well to other notable players from Japan.

 

.330/.422/.615 Fukudome

.310/.387/.561 Iwamura

.326/.404/.602 Johjima

.362/.428/.541 Ichiro

.328/.454/.655 Godzilla

.314/.389/.520 Iguchi

 

Outside of Godzilla, I'd take Fukudome's production over everyone else listed above, and he's a much, much better defensive outfielder than Hideki. That said, I agree with your contention that Fukudome is not worth $12M per season. I don't see him getting paid close to that either. He's getting paid under $3.4M this year and he's coming off an injury. If I had to guess, I'd say a three year deal in the $20M-$24M range gets it done.