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

[YearofDaCubs]

Let's face it, the weather in SD is better than Chicago so why go there? I'd go with the fan angle if I were Hendry. Padre fans sleep during the game and that's if they win and Cub fans are a lot more active and support the team attendance wise no matter what. Also, he'd be a God if the Cubs won the WS while if he played in SD and won who'd even know who he was?

Another big factor is the ball park. His numbers would hurt big time in Petco, while playing in Wrigley would help him out offensively and defensively.

[ottawacubbie]

Must have been discussed ad nauseum but I missed it. Does anybody have Fuku's projections based on his Japan league numbers?

 

Check this site from last year. http://sturgeongeneral.wordpress.com/page/2/

 

It has Fuku at about .308/.375/.507 with 16 HR, 110 K, 60 BB and 40 2Bs.

 

Would you guys be happy with these number? I like the 308. 40 doubles is solid, but 110/60 ratio is not that disiplined.

[Guest]

It's not like Nagoya, Japan is exactly a perfect climate either (avg high in Jan in the mid 40s and avg August high of 90). I think a bigger aspect to living on the West Coast could be the shorter flight to Japan.

[rocket]

Must have been discussed ad nauseum but I missed it. Does anybody have Fuku's projections based on his Japan league numbers?

 

Check this site from last year. http://sturgeongeneral.wordpress.com/page/2/

 

It has Fuku at about .308/.375/.507 with 16 HR, 110 K, 60 BB and 40 2Bs.

 

Would you guys be happy with these number? I like the 308. 40 doubles is solid, but 110/60 ratio is not that disiplined.

 

i'd be thrilled with those numbers.

[jersey cubs fan]

Must have been discussed ad nauseum but I missed it. Does anybody have Fuku's projections based on his Japan league numbers?

 

Check this site from last year. http://sturgeongeneral.wordpress.com/page/2/

 

It has Fuku at about .308/.375/.507 with 16 HR, 110 K, 60 BB and 40 2Bs.

 

Would you guys be happy with these number? I like the 308. 40 doubles is solid, but 110/60 ratio is not that disiplined.

 

I would be extremely pleased with a RF who offered up that high OBP 882 OPS.

[Guest]

Must have been discussed ad nauseum but I missed it. Does anybody have Fuku's projections based on his Japan league numbers?

 

Check this site from last year. http://sturgeongeneral.wordpress.com/page/2/

 

It has Fuku at about .308/.375/.507 with 16 HR, 110 K, 60 BB and 40 2Bs.

 

Would you guys be happy with these number? I like the 308. 40 doubles is solid, but 110/60 ratio is not that disiplined.

 

i'd be thrilled with those numbers.

 

No doubt.

[Lefty]

...And Jim Hendry is likely long gone by then and not having to deal with the $18m price tag if Fukudome does stay.

 

Why assume that Hendry will be gone? What if the new owners actually like him?

 

Well, I said "is likely", and didn't just assume he will definitely be gone. However, very few GMs last 8-10 years on the job, going through 3-4 team presidents and an ownership change.

 

For Hendry to be around in a theoretical 4th year of Fukudome's contract, he would be going into his 9th year on the job.

 

I guess I can't imagine his reign of error ever ending. Of course unless he is succeeded by DePo or Beane the frustration of us analytical types will continue.

[minnesotacubsfan]

It's not like Nagoya, Japan is exactly a perfect climate either (avg high in Jan in the mid 40s and avg August high of 90). I think a bigger aspect to living on the West Coast would be the shorter flight to Japan.

 

 

YES, BUT HOW MUCH CSHORTER WOLD IT BE? CONSIDEREING TRANS-PACIFIC FLIGHTS FROM CHICAGO/MPLS FLY OVER THE POLAR CIRCLE, THOSE FLIGHTS AR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 14 HRS. I WOULD THINK FLYING DIRECTLY OVER THE PACIFIC WOULD BE VERY LONG, AT LEAST 12 HRS??

[BigbadB]

Let's face it, the weather in SD is better than Chicago so why go there? I'd go with the fan angle if I were Hendry. Padre fans sleep during the game and that's if they win and Cub fans are a lot more active and support the team attendance wise no matter what. Also, he'd be a God if the Cubs won the WS while if he played in SD and won who'd even know who he was?

 

Hmmm. San Diego loves their Padres, even if they fire sale it up on occasion.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Must have been discussed ad nauseum but I missed it. Does anybody have Fuku's projections based on his Japan league numbers?

 

Check this site from last year. http://sturgeongeneral.wordpress.com/page/2/

 

It has Fuku at about .308/.375/.507 with 16 HR, 110 K, 60 BB and 40 2Bs.

 

Would you guys be happy with these number? I like the 308. 40 doubles is solid, but 110/60 ratio is not that disiplined.

 

i'd be thrilled with those numbers.

 

+1

[David]

I really don't see where climate plays into it more than park factors, especially considering that this is a sport played predominantly in the summer.

 

There's maybe 1.5-2 months of really sucky Chicago weather during the baseball season, and the team might be in town for half of it.

 

To Chicagoans, great rationale and well put. To mild climate localities, political-like propaganda.

 

Are the 1.5 - 2 months just April/May and late September/October? Because a case could be made, especially by Whale's Vaginaians, that July and August can be miserable as well. Late May through early July, and late August to early September may be the only good weather times in Chicago, especially for baseball.

 

 

I don't consider anything between mid-May (early June at the latest) and mid-to-late September to be remotely near miserable. Of course, that's just personal preference. November through March in Chicago could cease to exist and I'd never, ever miss it.

[CuseCubFan69]

Let's face it, the weather in SD is better than Chicago so why go there? I'd go with the fan angle if I were Hendry. Padre fans sleep during the game and that's if they win and Cub fans are a lot more active and support the team attendance wise no matter what. Also, he'd be a God if the Cubs won the WS while if he played in SD and won who'd even know who he was?

 

Hmmm. San Diego loves their Padres, even if they fire sale it up on occasion.

 

Do they fill Petco when they are losing?

[BigbadB]

Let's face it, the weather in SD is better than Chicago so why go there? I'd go with the fan angle if I were Hendry. Padre fans sleep during the game and that's if they win and Cub fans are a lot more active and support the team attendance wise no matter what. Also, he'd be a God if the Cubs won the WS while if he played in SD and won who'd even know who he was?

 

Hmmm. San Diego loves their Padres, even if they fire sale it up on occasion.

 

Do they fill Petco when they are losing?

 

They haven't been losing since they moved in there. They've fielded a competitive team since they made the move.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's not like Nagoya, Japan is exactly a perfect climate either (avg high in Jan in the mid 40s and avg August high of 90). I think a bigger aspect to living on the West Coast could be the shorter flight to Japan.

 

There are no non-stops from San Diego to Tokyo. You'd have to connect through LA or SFO, or drive to LAX. ORD has plenty of non-stops. Plus you are barely talking about a 2 hour flight difference. Shouldn't really be an issue.

 

 

 

I just hope that if/when he shows up in Chicago, he avoids the Matsuzaka/Costanza puffy coat.

[David]

Must have been discussed ad nauseum but I missed it. Does anybody have Fuku's projections based on his Japan league numbers?

 

Check this site from last year. http://sturgeongeneral.wordpress.com/page/2/

 

It has Fuku at about .308/.375/.507 with 16 HR, 110 K, 60 BB and 40 2Bs.

 

Would you guys be happy with these number? I like the 308. 40 doubles is solid, but 110/60 ratio is not that disiplined.

 

 

That ratio is meaningless. He'd have an OBP of .375, which is great, and he'd have a solid IsoD of ~70, which is all you need to know about his discipline.

 

I can't, for the life of me, figure out why people continue to talk about strikeouts (and strikeouts to walks) when evaluating hitters.

 

That SLG is pretty high for only 16 HR...reminds me of DLee's extremely doubles-happy first half this year.

[BCVM22]

I just hope that if/when he shows up in Chicago, he avoids the Matsuzaka/Costanza puffy coat.

 

If the guy signs with the Cubs, he can challenge Rodman for "Worst Dressed Chicago Athlete" for all I care.

[Guest]

It's not like Nagoya, Japan is exactly a perfect climate either (avg high in Jan in the mid 40s and avg August high of 90). I think a bigger aspect to living on the West Coast would be the shorter flight to Japan.

 

 

YES, BUT HOW MUCH CSHORTER WOLD IT BE? CONSIDEREING TRANS-PACIFIC FLIGHTS FROM CHICAGO/MPLS FLY OVER THE POLAR CIRCLE, THOSE FLIGHTS AR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 14 HRS. I WOULD THINK FLYING DIRECTLY OVER THE PACIFIC WOULD BE VERY LONG, AT LEAST 12 HRS??

 

When I've flown to India via Japan, we've always flown over Alaska. Obviously it takes longer to fly that far north from LA or San Fran, but I would think it's still shorter by a few hours at least.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't consider anything between mid-May (early June at the latest) and mid-to-late September to be remotely near miserable. Of course, that's just personal preference. November through March in Chicago could cease to exist and I'd never, ever miss it.

 

Many people, especially those who aren't used to it, are absolutely disgusted by the 95 degree and 95% humidity from mid July to mid August.

[minnesotacubsfan]

It's not like Nagoya, Japan is exactly a perfect climate either (avg high in Jan in the mid 40s and avg August high of 90). I think a bigger aspect to living on the West Coast would be the shorter flight to Japan.

 

 

YES, BUT HOW MUCH CSHORTER WOLD IT BE? CONSIDEREING TRANS-PACIFIC FLIGHTS FROM CHICAGO/MPLS FLY OVER THE POLAR CIRCLE, THOSE FLIGHTS AR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 14 HRS. I WOULD THINK FLYING DIRECTLY OVER THE PACIFIC WOULD BE VERY LONG, AT LEAST 12 HRS??

 

When I've flown to India via Japan, we've always flown over Alaska. Obviously it takes longer to fly that far north from LA or San Fran, but I would think it's still shorter by a few hours at least.

 

When my wife and I go to manila, the flight is about 12 hrs from MPLS to Tokyo. I have no idea how that compares to LA to Tokyo.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's not like Nagoya, Japan is exactly a perfect climate either (avg high in Jan in the mid 40s and avg August high of 90). I think a bigger aspect to living on the West Coast would be the shorter flight to Japan.

 

 

YES, BUT HOW MUCH CSHORTER WOLD IT BE? CONSIDEREING TRANS-PACIFIC FLIGHTS FROM CHICAGO/MPLS FLY OVER THE POLAR CIRCLE, THOSE FLIGHTS AR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 14 HRS. I WOULD THINK FLYING DIRECTLY OVER THE PACIFIC WOULD BE VERY LONG, AT LEAST 12 HRS??

 

When I've flown to India via Japan, we've always flown over Alaska. Obviously it takes longer to fly that far north from LA or San Fran, but I would think it's still shorter by a few hours at least.

 

11:30 to 13:10 going west. 9:50 to 11:45 coming back. That's not much of a difference. He'll be flying first anyway, and it will just mean a couple more hours of free booze and sleep.

[windycityfan]

I really don't see where climate plays into it more than park factors, especially considering that this is a sport played predominantly in the summer.

 

There's maybe 1.5-2 months of really sucky Chicago weather during the baseball season, and the team might be in town for half of it.

 

To Chicagoans, great rationale and well put. To mild climate localities, political-like propaganda.

 

Are the 1.5 - 2 months just April/May and late September/October? Because a case could be made, especially by Whale's Vaginaians, that July and August can be miserable as well. Late May through early July, and late August to early September may be the only good weather times in Chicago, especially for baseball.

 

 

I don't consider anything between mid-May (early June at the latest) and mid-to-late September to be remotely near miserable. Of course, that's just personal preference. November through March in Chicago could cease to exist and I'd never, ever miss it.

 

I'd go as far as including all May through late September as really game on (August is the wettest month, however). April and October are very manageable.

 

This said, November through March is against everything that's good and holy.

[Guest]

It's not like Nagoya, Japan is exactly a perfect climate either (avg high in Jan in the mid 40s and avg August high of 90). I think a bigger aspect to living on the West Coast could be the shorter flight to Japan.

 

There are no non-stops from San Diego to Tokyo. You'd have to connect through LA or SFO, or drive to LAX. ORD has plenty of non-stops. Plus you are barely talking about a 2 hour flight difference. Shouldn't really be an issue.

 

 

 

I just hope that if/when he shows up in Chicago, he avoids the Matsuzaka/Costanza puffy coat.

 

I stand corrected if it's only 2 hours.

 

In regards to the summer weather in Chicago...his home team in Japan appears to have warmer summer weather. It's not like he's picking between Houston and a more moderate summer climate.

[David]

I don't consider anything between mid-May (early June at the latest) and mid-to-late September to be remotely near miserable. Of course, that's just personal preference. November through March in Chicago could cease to exist and I'd never, ever miss it.

 

Many people, especially those who aren't used to it, are absolutely disgusted by the 95 degree and 95% humidity from mid July to mid August.

 

 

I know it. I've seen it. I don't at all get it. I'll take that weather all year any day over having to put up with all the ice, short days, and all the other garbage that winter brings.

 

That said, watching the Bears play the NFC Championship game in the snow from inside my warm house was pretty cool.

[Guest]

I don't consider anything between mid-May (early June at the latest) and mid-to-late September to be remotely near miserable. Of course, that's just personal preference. November through March in Chicago could cease to exist and I'd never, ever miss it.

 

Many people, especially those who aren't used to it, are absolutely disgusted by the 95 degree and 95% humidity from mid July to mid August.

 

Me included, I love(d) Chicago winters when I lived there and whenever I visit. I can't stand the slightest humidity and hate dry heat above 90 degrees. But I think I'm one of the few.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I don't consider anything between mid-May (early June at the latest) and mid-to-late September to be remotely near miserable. Of course, that's just personal preference. November through March in Chicago could cease to exist and I'd never, ever miss it.

 

Many people, especially those who aren't used to it, are absolutely disgusted by the 95 degree and 95% humidity from mid July to mid August.

 

Me included, I love(d) Chicago winters when I lived there and whenever I visit. I can't stand the slightest humidity and hate dry heat above 90 degrees. But I think I'm one of the few.

 

 

I loooong for the 95 and dry weather of the SW US. i DISPISE humidity