Levine: Fukudome a Cub (was Kosuke coming to U.S.)

[RynoRules]

I have always liked Ibanez. I think I'd prefer him for 12 mill over 2 years (or something) rather than breaking the bank for Fukudome.

[Little Slide Rooter]

So at this point, are the options down to either Fukodome or another Burnitz(IE Geoff Jenkins, Luis Gonzales)?

 

Id heard alot about Ibanez arly on, but nothing as of late. With all of the Rowand and Bradley, I assumed that wasnt going to happen.

[TruffleShuffle]

I have always liked Ibanez. I think I'd prefer him for 12 mill over 2 years (or something) rather than breaking the bank for Fukudome.

 

he's under contract for $5.5M next year; if he were a free agent, he'd probably be looking at $12M as an annual salary.

[Roast]

c'mon K-Fuk, don't let us down

 

 

God, PLEASE let that become his nic-name.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

c'mon K-Fuk, don't let us down

 

 

God, PLEASE let that become his nic-name.

I prefer "the Fukudome"

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Don't want to get ahead of things, but assuming Fukudome does sign with the Cubs...

 

The outfield vs RHP

 

LF Soriano

CF Pie

RF Fukudome

 

 

vs LHP

 

LF Soriano

CF Fukudome

RF Murton/Derosa

 

What I'm getting at...no more Angel Pagan...plz?!

[Post Count Padder]

Cmon Fuku, forget the other guys and just sign with us.

 

You should change your name to FukuPower if Fuku comes to the Cubs and Prior gets non-tendered or traded.

I should, haha. I've given thought to changing my name, I'm currently calling it an oxymoron

[UMFan83]

I'm just wondering what Hendry has seen or heard about Fukudome that has caused him to be so determined to get him. Don't get me wrong, I want him too, but I am starting to get scared with how much he'll cost us. His US projected numbers don't not scream $12 million/year player at all. OBP seems to be his biggest skill, which is definitely awesome, but in the past Jim Hendry has been completely anti-OBP, so I am wondering what other skills he is seeing, or if he has finally come around to OBP being a necessity.

[TruffleShuffle]

I'm just wondering what Hendry has seen or heard about Fukudome that has caused him to be so determined to get him. Don't get me wrong, I want him too, but I am starting to get scared with how much he'll cost us. His US projected numbers don't not scream $12 million/year player at all. OBP seems to be his biggest skill, which is definitely awesome, but in the past Jim Hendry has been completely anti-OBP, so I am wondering what other skills he is seeing, or if he has finally come around to OBP being a necessity.

 

Jason Marquis' projected numbers never screamed 3 years, $21M. Same can be said for the contracts of probably half the Cubs. But damned if it's gonna stop Hendry.

[BigbadB]

I'm just wondering what Hendry has seen or heard about Fukudome that has caused him to be so determined to get him. Don't get me wrong, I want him too, but I am starting to get scared with how much he'll cost us. His US projected numbers don't not scream $12 million/year player at all. OBP seems to be his biggest skill, which is definitely awesome, but in the past Jim Hendry has been completely anti-OBP, so I am wondering what other skills he is seeing, or if he has finally come around to OBP being a necessity.

 

Hendry doesn't see Fukudome's OBP. All he sees is his left handedness.

[YearofDaCubs]

Found this on another board:

I just received my Baseball Forecaster 2008 written by Ron Shandler. For those of you who don't know, Shandler runs BaeballHQ.com and is thought of as an industry expert when discussing skills analysis and projections for fantasy baseball. I realize projections are simply that, projections, but I thought some might be interested in what he has to say about Fukudome.

 

"Missed 2nd half after having bone fragments removed from elbow. Many will see power; also has good speed, but temper expectations for first season. His skills are being compared to those of Bobby Abreau."

 

Projections: 515 AB, 97 R, 134 H, 18 HR, 89 RBI, 9 SB, .260 AVG, .349 OBP, .447 SLG, .796 OPS.

 

In another portion of the book where he discusses the top Japanese prospects, he says, "...is the best all-around hitter coming from Japan. Described as a "Bobby Abreau type," he should have moderate accross-the- board success. Good defensive player as well, although some question if he can handle CF in the Majors. Coming off elbow surgery so don't let the hype make you go overboard."

 

I'd think that OBP would at least be .15 points higher.

If that's what kind of numbers he's projected at, I say we throw a good prospect and Murton for Teahen then.

[VanceJergins]

Found this on another board:

I just received my Baseball Forecaster 2008 written by Ron Shandler. For those of you who don't know, Shandler runs BaeballHQ.com and is thought of as an industry expert when discussing skills analysis and projections for fantasy baseball. I realize projections are simply that, projections, but I thought some might be interested in what he has to say about Fukudome.

 

"Missed 2nd half after having bone fragments removed from elbow. Many will see power; also has good speed, but temper expectations for first season. His skills are being compared to those of Bobby Abreau."

 

Projections: 515 AB, 97 R, 134 H, 18 HR, 89 RBI, 9 SB, .260 AVG, .349 OBP, .447 SLG, .796 OPS.

 

In another portion of the book where he discusses the top Japanese prospects, he says, "...is the best all-around hitter coming from Japan. Described as a "Bobby Abreau type," he should have moderate accross-the- board success. Good defensive player as well, although some question if he can handle CF in the Majors. Coming off elbow surgery so don't let the hype make you go overboard."

 

I'd think that OBP would at least be .15 points higher.

If that's what kind of numbers he's projected at, I say we throw a good prospect and Murton for Teahen then.

 

OBP seems to transfer better than that. I looked up some 1st year transition numbers for OBP. These are their last year in Japan and 1st year in US.

 

Kaz Matsui: .365 - .331

Iwamura: .389 - .359

H. Matsui: .461 - .353

 

Hideki is the exception, but he did have 17 IBB his last year in Japan. Fuku's OBP has been over .430 the past 3 years, so I wouldn't be surprised if he put up close to .400 here (especially with the subpar pitching he'll face if he's a Cub). SLG seems to drop more than OBP, so I would guess his SLG projection might be pretty close.

[RynoRules]

I have always liked Ibanez. I think I'd prefer him for 12 mill over 2 years (or something) rather than breaking the bank for Fukudome.

 

he's under contract for $5.5M next year; if he were a free agent, he'd probably be looking at $12M as an annual salary.

 

I knew he was under contract just thought it was for two more years. Why do you think he would get 12 mill at age 35? I agree he is more productive than guys getting paid much more, but perception seems to be different than reality in this case.

[TruffleShuffle]

I have always liked Ibanez. I think I'd prefer him for 12 mill over 2 years (or something) rather than breaking the bank for Fukudome.

 

he's under contract for $5.5M next year; if he were a free agent, he'd probably be looking at $12M as an annual salary.

 

I knew he was under contract just thought it was for two more years. Why do you think he would get 12 mill at age 35? I agree he is more productive than guys getting paid much more, but perception seems to be different than reality in this case.

 

averaged about 25 homers and 105 RBI the past three years, with a 120 OPS+. his average year is about equal to aaron rowand's career year last year. His numbers are pretty comparable to Jose Guillen, and he doesn't have the steroid/personal issues that Guillen has.

 

If guys like Guillen and Rowand are in the $12M range, then you can bet that Ibanez would be as well.

[Deeg]

Sorry, but there's no way Fuku is hitting .260. He hit .294 with one arm last year, and .351 before that. He might not pop 20 HR+, but he's hitting .285 minimum.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm just wondering what Hendry has seen or heard about Fukudome that has caused him to be so determined to get him. Don't get me wrong, I want him too, but I am starting to get scared with how much he'll cost us. His US projected numbers don't not scream $12 million/year player at all. OBP seems to be his biggest skill, which is definitely awesome, but in the past Jim Hendry has been completely anti-OBP, so I am wondering what other skills he is seeing, or if he has finally come around to OBP being a necessity.

 

Hendry doesn't see Fukudome's OBP. All he sees is his left handedness.

 

Untrue. He also sees that he has speed and is Japanese.

[ISUCubsFan]

I'm just wondering what Hendry has seen or heard about Fukudome that has caused him to be so determined to get him. Don't get me wrong, I want him too, but I am starting to get scared with how much he'll cost us. His US projected numbers don't not scream $12 million/year player at all. OBP seems to be his biggest skill, which is definitely awesome, but in the past Jim Hendry has been completely anti-OBP, so I am wondering what other skills he is seeing, or if he has finally come around to OBP being a necessity.

 

Hendry doesn't see Fukudome's OBP. All he sees is his left handedness.

 

Untrue. He also sees that he has speed and is Japanese.

 

He can also catch the ball.

[A New Era]

I'm just wondering what Hendry has seen or heard about Fukudome that has caused him to be so determined to get him. Don't get me wrong, I want him too, but I am starting to get scared with how much he'll cost us. His US projected numbers don't not scream $12 million/year player at all. OBP seems to be his biggest skill, which is definitely awesome, but in the past Jim Hendry has been completely anti-OBP, so I am wondering what other skills he is seeing, or if he has finally come around to OBP being a necessity.

 

Hendry doesn't see Fukudome's OBP. All he sees is his left handedness.

 

Untrue. He also sees that he has speed and is Japanese.

 

He can also catch the ball.

 

Let's just be glad he HAPPENS to have good OBP, and decent SLG, AVG, and HR.

[CubsWin]

I'm just wondering what Hendry has seen or heard about Fukudome that has caused him to be so determined to get him. Don't get me wrong, I want him too, but I am starting to get scared with how much he'll cost us. His US projected numbers don't not scream $12 million/year player at all. OBP seems to be his biggest skill, which is definitely awesome, but in the past Jim Hendry has been completely anti-OBP, so I am wondering what other skills he is seeing, or if he has finally come around to OBP being a necessity.

 

Hendry doesn't see Fukudome's OBP. All he sees is his left handedness.

 

Untrue. He also sees that he has speed and is Japanese.

 

He can also catch the ball.

He doesn't even see that. He just sees that the Chunichi Dragons won the championship for the first time in 53 years, and he's hoping some of that streaking busting magic is still in Fuk's bat. After all, what the Cubs really need is timely hitting.

[rocket]

call it a gut feeling, but fuku isn't going to sign with the cubs. he's san diego bound.

[Roast]

call it a gut feeling, but fuku isn't going to sign with the cubs. he's san diego bound.

 

Yeah - I feel it too.

 

It's that nagging feeling that things will always go wrong....I like to call it "Cubs Fandom"

[Lefty]

I'm just wondering what Hendry has seen or heard about Fukudome that has caused him to be so determined to get him. Don't get me wrong, I want him too, but I am starting to get scared with how much he'll cost us. His US projected numbers don't not scream $12 million/year player at all. OBP seems to be his biggest skill, which is definitely awesome, but in the past Jim Hendry has been completely anti-OBP, so I am wondering what other skills he is seeing, or if he has finally come around to OBP being a necessity.

 

Hendry doesn't see Fukudome's OBP. All he sees is his left handedness.

 

Untrue. He also sees that he has speed and is Japanese.

 

He can also catch the ball.

 

No, no. "Catch the ball" was two years ago. This year Japanese is in. If Hendry's Cubs ever won the World Series how would he copy himself? It would be like trying to make sense of time-travel movies.

[CUBZ99]

I'm just wondering what Hendry has seen or heard about Fukudome that has caused him to be so determined to get him. Don't get me wrong, I want him too, but I am starting to get scared with how much he'll cost us. His US projected numbers don't not scream $12 million/year player at all. OBP seems to be his biggest skill, which is definitely awesome, but in the past Jim Hendry has been completely anti-OBP, so I am wondering what other skills he is seeing, or if he has finally come around to OBP being a necessity.

 

Hendry doesn't see Fukudome's OBP. All he sees is his left handedness.

 

Untrue. He also sees that he has speed and is Japanese.

 

He can also catch the ball.

 

No, no. "Catch the ball" was two years ago. This year Japanese is in. If Hendry's Cubs ever won the World Series how would he copy himself? It would be like trying to make sense of time-travel movies.

 

How is Japanese in this year? There is hardly any available FA talent available to fill the holes that the Cubs have. It just so happens that Hendry and his scouts determined that Fukudome would be the best fit for the Cubs. If anything, going after a Japanese player in the past for teams has by and far turned out to be a disaster. Can you imagine the Cubs being stradled with the Dice-K contract for a pitcher that barely put up better numbers than Jason Marquis?

[Lefty]

Matsuzaka and that lefty reliever sign with Red Sox.

 

Red Sox win World Series.

 

Hendry determines that he must sign two Japanese players.

 

Fukudome might be teriffic, and exactly what the Cubs need. But Hendry is the same guy who wanted to downgrade with Kaz Matsui. My explanantion is much more logical than Hendry actually appreciating all of Fukudome's virtues because how else would you explain his desire of KazMat?

 

Oh, Matzusaka is terrific. Are you really comparing him to Marquis in any way?

 

I had to edit because this belongs here.

 

Matsuzaka pitched 204 innings and gave up no unearned runs. That is partially a function of the kind of pitcher he is. Flyball strikeout pitchers give up fewer unearned runs.

 

Marquis gave up 13 unearned runs in 191.67 innings. He wasn't unlucky. Groundball pitchers who don't strike out a lot of people give up more unearned runs because that is their game. Less able to pitch around mistakes. Pitching to contact which results in a predictable amount of errors over a season.

 

Marquis' RA was 5.21 compared to Matsuzaka's 4.4. Add in the fact that Matsuzaka pitches in a DH league, I figure Matsuzaka was about 27 runs better than Marquis assuming ballpark effects and team defense were equal. That's three wins or about $7.5 million extra worth of performance. So it seems you get what you pay for.

[Mephistopheles]

Untrue. He also sees that he has speed and is Japanese.

 

The 2003 Florida Marlins were the last World Series Champions to not have a player born in Japan on their World Series roster.

 

2004 Red Sox - Check

2005 White Sox - Check

2006 Cardinals - Check

2007 Red Sox - Check