The Kosuke Fukudome & Hiroki Kuroda Thread

[Post Count Padder]

Kosuke Fukudome-OF-Player Nov. 4 - 11:22 am et

 

GM Jim Hendry said that the Cubs definitely discussed going after Japanese free agents Kosuke Fukudome and Hiroki Kuroda.

 

The Cubs will not have to cough up big "posting" fees just to talk with Fukudome and Kuroda, but each player must declare free agency. Fukudome is a left-handed batting corner outfielder who can hit for power and put up a high on-base percentage.

Source: Arlington Daily Herald

[E.J.]

Kosuke Fukudome-OF-Player Nov. 4 - 11:22 am et

 

GM Jim Hendry said that the Cubs definitely discussed going after Japanese free agents Kosuke Fukudome and Hiroki Kuroda.

 

The Cubs will not have to cough up big "posting" fees just to talk with Fukudome and Kuroda, but each player must declare free agency. Fukudome is a left-handed batting corner outfielder who can hit for power and put up a high on-base percentage.

Source: Arlington Daily Herald

 

I'm glad the Cubs finally seem to be interested in the Japanese market.

 

I'm sure Vance will be excited about the news of going after Fukudome.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I just read the blurb on rotoworld and smiled!

 

Awesome news.

 

FUKUDOME!

 

I'm ready to get that jersey!

[Roast]

I am so buying that jersey if we get him.

[Derwood]

and...once again Hendry tips his hand and announces to the world his intentions. nice work Jim, great bargaining leverage

[Schwarber Fan]

 

FUKUDOME!

 

I'm ready to get that jersey!

 

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6165/fukudomejk2.jpg

Edited November 4, 2007 by Rondon Fan

[Bote McBoteface]

and...once again Hendry tips his hand and announces to the world his intentions. nice work Jim, great bargaining leverage

 

 

Yeah, Hendry is well known for that.

 

[CuseCubFan69]

How do you pronounce his name? I hope it isn't what I think it might be.

[E.J.]

How do you pronounce his name? I hope it isn't what I think it might be.

 

isn't it foo-koo-do-may

[Schwarber Fan]

How do you pronounce his name? I hope it isn't what I think it might be.

 

co-SOO-kay FOO-coo-DOUGH-may I believe

 

or maybe just "Fred"

[CuseCubFan69]

Thanks!

[KingCubsFan]

After looking at Matsui's translation in the three main categories, I doubt Fukodome would be much better than Murton. If we're going to throw money at a marginal increase in production, we should just sign Rivera or Posada.

[Derwood]

and...once again Hendry tips his hand and announces to the world his intentions. nice work Jim, great bargaining leverage

 

 

Yeah, Hendry is well known for that.

 

 

hello? soriano?

[frostwyrm]

and...once again Hendry tips his hand and announces to the world his intentions. nice work Jim, great bargaining leverage

 

Maybe he really wants Geoff Jenkins or Shawn Green and he's just making a show of interest in Fukudome to get Jenkins/Green to lower their demands.

[YearofDaCubs]

and...once again Hendry tips his hand and announces to the world his intentions. nice work Jim, great bargaining leverage

 

Maybe he really wants Geoff Jenkins or Shawn Green and he's just making a show of interest in Fukudome to get Jenkins/Green to lower their demands.

Sadly, I can totally see Hendry go for both of them, especially Jenkins.

[javy knows my name]

and...once again Hendry tips his hand and announces to the world his intentions. nice work Jim, great bargaining leverage

 

Maybe he really wants Geoff Jenkins or Shawn Green and he's just making a show of interest in Fukudome to get Jenkins/Green to lower their demands.

Sadly, I can totally see Hendry go for both of them, especially Jenkins.

 

Is there ANYONE who thinks Jenkins would be an upgrade over Murton?!

WHY CAN'T JIM SEE THIS!?!?!

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

fwiw..I believe Fukudome will be wearing his first name on his jersey next year.

[Derwood]

 

Is there ANYONE who thinks Jenkins would be an upgrade over Murton?!

WHY CAN'T JIM SEE THIS!?!?!

 

need a left-handed bat, dude.

[Warpticon]

How do you pronounce his name? I hope it isn't what I think it might be.

 

co-SOO-kay FOO-coo-DOUGH-may I believe

 

or maybe just "Fred"

first name is buchered. it's just like daisuke. ko-skay foo-koo-doe-may. a least the stress is hard to bucher (like matsui, which most people say like matt-SOOie, when it should be more like MOT--swee.)

[FergieJ31]

For me Jenkins will always be the guy who, as a rookie, sent a hooking drive pretty much right at one Brant Brown in late Sept '98, E7, 3-runs plated -- including our old friend Jeromy Burnitz with the game winner.

 

"oh noooo! noooooo!!"

 

Edit: I do like the Soapdrop-you-dome idea now, with Abreu out of the picture.

[David]

fwiw..I believe Fukudome will be wearing his first name on his jersey next year.

 

Why's that? I don't think he does that in Japan. Did he say otherwise?

[BCVM22]

fwiw..I believe Fukudome will be wearing his first name on his jersey next year.

 

Why's that? I don't think he does that in Japan. Did he say otherwise?

 

It was some friendly advice from his teammate Alex Ochoa. "If you play in America, wear Kosuke on your back instead of Fukudome. It'll translate better." Fukudome himself has said as much as well, I believe.

[Guest]

fwiw..I believe Fukudome will be wearing his first name on his jersey next year.

 

Why's that? I don't think he does that in Japan. Did he say otherwise?

 

It was some friendly advice from his teammate Alex Ochoa. "If you play in America, wear Kosuke on your back instead of Fukudome. It'll translate better." Fukudome himself has said as much as well, I believe.

 

Yup, blame Alex Ochoa.

 

Rotoworld is citing our good friend Bruce Miles:

 

The GM of the Cubs also will be looking to the Far East.

 

During last week's organizational meetings in Mesa, Ariz., the Cubs indeed discussed the possible signings of prominent Japanese free agents Kosuke Fukudome and Hiroki Kuroda.

 

...

 

Cubs insiders said their scouts like both players, but Hendry said he didn't want to talk about either until they declared.

 

Although the Cubs liked Kuroda in the past -- personal reasons kept him in Japan this year -- the fierce competition for pitching may make Fukudome an easier player to sign.

[Outshined_One]

I believe the Cubs ended up submitting bids on Matsuzaka, Igawa, and Iwamura last season, unless I'm mistaken.

 

They were also reportedly interested in Kuroda, but he didn't come over to the States.

[ctcf]

I'm so down for that jersey shirt.