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

[CubsWin]

Its official now

 

 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/12/08/sports/s212138S91.DTL

If the choices are really between Rowand and Fukudome, I'll take Fukudome. Either one would give the Cubs the option of playing them in RF or CF which is really important if they plan on bringing up Pie, but Kosuke has less of an injury history, likely better OBP, probably equally good defense if not slightly better than Rowand.

 

Signing Fukudome will be a risk, most certainly, but there is only one way to find out if he's going to be more like Hideki or Kaz. Here's hoping he is signed by the end of the week.

 

At the end of the season, pretty much everyone felt that an infusion of OBP at the top of the order and moving Soriano down is what the Cubs should realistically do this off season to improve their offense. Now it looks like they have a chance to do exactly that with Fukudome and Roberts.

 

Come on, Jim.

[PrimeTime]

All your eggs are in this basket Jim... Please bring the damn basket home..

[wvcbxl]

He's coming, says SI

 

Japanese free-agent Kosuke Fukudome has decided not to move to the Yomiuri Giants and will sign with a major league team instead, the Nikkansports newspaper reported Sunday.

Fukudome had previously indicated the Giants would be the only Japanese team he would consider playing for next season, but has now ruled them out, opening the way for a move to the major leagues. Fukudome has drawn interest from the Chicago Cubs, the San Diego Padres and the Chicago White Sox.

 

Note the Cubs are listed first :D

[98navigator]

I hate to beat a dead horse but this news coming out before Monday/Tuesday adds credence to the theory that Urbon is out of the loop. Looks like Rosenthal's sources were right afterall. Perhaps, Urbon will know more when Fukudome comes to the US.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

From the Sun Times,

 

Fukudome's courting period is expected to last less than a week, and all indications point to the Cubs eclipsing all other bidders -- sorry again, Sox -- to land their primary target of the offseason.

 

The Cubs essentially have tabled all other major moves until they get a definitive answer from Fukudome. Sources say they are prepared to offer a mega-package similar to the eye-popping deal they presented last offseason to free-agent left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who bagged an eight-year, $136 million contract.

 

During the winter meetings last week in Nashville, Tenn., the Cubs were operating with an air of confidence that Fukudome would be their key offseason prize.

[RammyFanny]

From the Sun Times,

 

Fukudome's courting period is expected to last less than a week, and all indications point to the Cubs eclipsing all other bidders -- sorry again, Sox -- to land their primary target of the offseason.

 

The Cubs essentially have tabled all other major moves until they get a definitive answer from Fukudome. Sources say they are prepared to offer a mega-package similar to the eye-popping deal they presented last offseason to free-agent left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who bagged an eight-year, $136 million contract.

 

During the winter meetings last week in Nashville, Tenn., the Cubs were operating with an air of confidence that Fukudome would be their key offseason prize.

 

Watch us go like 7 years...

 

If we think about going anywhere near Soriano money we might as well have given ARod a call just to be sure.

[SweetZombieJesus]

Its official now

 

 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/12/08/sports/s212138S91.DTL

If the choices are really between Rowand and Fukudome, I'll take Fukudome. Either one would give the Cubs the option of playing them in RF or CF which is really important if they plan on bringing up Pie, but Kosuke has less of an injury history, likely better OBP, probably equally good defense if not slightly better than Rowand.

 

Signing Fukudome will be a risk, most certainly, but there is only one way to find out if he's going to be more like Hideki or Kaz. Here's hoping he is signed by the end of the week.

 

At the end of the season, pretty much everyone felt that an infusion of OBP at the top of the order and moving Soriano down is what the Cubs should realistically do this off season to improve their offense. Now it looks like they have a chance to do exactly that with Fukudome and Roberts.

 

Come on, Jim.

 

Except it should be either Aki Iwamura or Hideki Matsui. Fukudome walked a lot more in japan than Kaz. I just hope Fukudome can slug better than Iwamura's sub .420 next year.

[wrigley23]

if milton bradley signs w/ the pads then that will be the sign that fuku is coming to chitown. I say he comes to the Cub if Fuku picks San Diego. Although I think we've made the most lucrative offer, I don't think it's a foregone conclusion he is ours. He is not an American so money is less of an issue.

[shnsajax]

The last time we were this locked in on a FA he dissed us for the Dodgers.

 

I hope to have some new Fukunews by lunch time while watching the Cowboys blow up the Lions :-).

[RammyFanny]

Its official now

 

 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/12/08/sports/s212138S91.DTL

If the choices are really between Rowand and Fukudome, I'll take Fukudome. Either one would give the Cubs the option of playing them in RF or CF which is really important if they plan on bringing up Pie, but Kosuke has less of an injury history, likely better OBP, probably equally good defense if not slightly better than Rowand.

 

Signing Fukudome will be a risk, most certainly, but there is only one way to find out if he's going to be more like Hideki or Kaz. Here's hoping he is signed by the end of the week.

 

At the end of the season, pretty much everyone felt that an infusion of OBP at the top of the order and moving Soriano down is what the Cubs should realistically do this off season to improve their offense. Now it looks like they have a chance to do exactly that with Fukudome and Roberts.

 

Come on, Jim.

 

Except it should be either Aki Iwamura or Hideki Matsui. Fukudome walked a lot more in japan than Kaz. I just hope Fukudome can slug better than Iwamura's sub .420 next year.

 

Wow, looking at Iwamura's stats from Japan he was a very good power hitter.

 

06 season--.311/.389/.544/.933 OPS 32 HR

04 season-- .300/.385/.583/.968 with a whopping 44 HR's.

http://thebaseballcube.com/players/I/Akinori-Iwamura.shtml

[C.C.]

He'll be a Cub. It's only a matter of time now. I'd be shocked if he doesn't come here.

[RammyFanny]

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.

[MPC]

The Cubs essentially have tabled all other major moves until they get a definitive answer from Fukudome. Sources say they are prepared to offer a mega-package similar to the eye-popping deal they presented last offseason to free-agent left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who bagged an eight-year, $136 million contract.

:shock: i sure hope they aren't proposing a contract similar to soriano's.

[RammyFanny]

The Cubs essentially have tabled all other major moves until they get a definitive answer from Fukudome. Sources say they are prepared to offer a mega-package similar to the eye-popping deal they presented last offseason to free-agent left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who bagged an eight-year, $136 million contract.

:shock: i sure hope they aren't proposing a contract similar to soriano's.

That's what I was thinking too but it's a little clarified later in the article:

Keep in mind, the Yomiuri Giants have been the strongest pursuers in Japan, offering a four-year, $30 million contract. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Cubs dazzle Fukudome with a five-year deal or an average annual salary topping $13 million.

Nothing we didn't already know, though he wants 3 years so i'm not sure if he'll like five or not. The writer makes it seem like we'll either try to win him over with 5 years at a possible lower salary than 13 mill or go for the norm (3 years) at 13+ mill.

[Derwood]

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

[inari]

I'm extremely confident he'll be a Cub.

[IheartMBnDL]

This waiting business is making me antsy... I'm ready to just know!!

[Little Slide Rooter]

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

[98navigator]

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

No, everything I've read indicates that Ibanez is plan B.

[Buford T Justice]

I would have no problem with Ibanez

[JeffH]

The Cubs essentially have tabled all other major moves until they get a definitive answer from Fukudome. Sources say they are prepared to offer a mega-package similar to the eye-popping deal they presented last offseason to free-agent left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who bagged an eight-year, $136 million contract.

:shock: i sure hope they aren't proposing a contract similar to soriano's.

That's what I was thinking too but it's a little clarified later in the article:

Keep in mind, the Yomiuri Giants have been the strongest pursuers in Japan, offering a four-year, $30 million contract. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Cubs dazzle Fukudome with a five-year deal or an average annual salary topping $13 million.

Nothing we didn't already know, though he wants 3 years so i'm not sure if he'll like five or not. The writer makes it seem like we'll either try to win him over with 5 years at a possible lower salary than 13 mill or go for the norm (3 years) at 13+ mill.

 

Kosuke supposedly wanted only a three year deal with a no-arbitration clause so he could be a free agent again in three years to have a chance to really hit paydirt.

 

A while back, someone (I think it was jersey) suggested that, since it now appears that he's going to hit paydirt right off the bat, he may be interested in a deal longer than three years.

 

We'll see.

[Exile on Waveland]

I'm extremely confident he'll be a Cub.

 

Me too. Honestly, I think it's just a matter of when.

[Post Count Padder]

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

[E.J.]

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.

[pitchcs]

I would have no problem with Ibanez

 

I wouldn't if it was only for 1 year.