Fukudome Signs with Cubs for 4 years (MLB.com: $48 M)

[Brendan]

Did anyone read the quote from JH in Bruce's article. Apologize if its been discussed already

 

"He answers so many questions for us," Hendry said. "He's left-handed. He has a high on-base percentage

 

What next, are you going to talk about his VORP? Are you freaking kidding me Jim? Did you finally realize the Damien Jacksons and Neifi Perez's of the world have a fundamental problem with them.

 

Jim has mentioned OBP a lot in recent years. Although I felt he was just paying lip service after having people like Bruce Miles ask about it repeatedly. The one concern I still have is that he likes OBP, only if it comes with high AVG. In other words, he still doesn't see the problem with the lack of walks. Hopefully Fukudome is a signal that is changed.

 

just wait till he's benched ("he's pressing") or booed for a 270/400 line

[CuseCubFan69]

Where is he projected to bat in the lineup?

 

Manager Lou Piniella, who called Fukudome a cross between Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, said last week he expected to bat the new Cub fourth or fifth in the order.

 

Wow. I didn't think he had enough power to bat 4th. I always thought he was a leadoff or #2 guy.

 

Just like OBP isnt the ONLY important thing out of a leadoff hitter, power isnt the ONLY important thing out of a middle of the order hitter. Also, while he doesn't have HR power, he definitely has great doubles power and will probably lead the team or be very close to the lead in 2bs.

 

But it sure would be nice to have his OBP at the top of the order instead of a 330.

 

Yeah I was thinking Roberts and Fukedome at the top too. I wonder if Soriano has made noise about being moved off the leadoff spot?

[TheDude]

I don't pay much attention to foreign baseball... How should we compare the level of baseball played in Japan to the MLB?

 

It's like playing the Nationals.

[ottawacubbie]

Do the Japanese leagues have a special thing they do when a player hits a HR that is different than the US? If they do I think it would be pretty cool if the fans did it whenever he hit a HR.

I believe they are asked to mail me a cheque for $50.

 

Seriously I found this, http://www.baywell.ne.jp/users/drlatham/baseball/nihongo/diction.htm

 

ganbare: good luck, do your best. Fans often scream, "ganbare," to their favorite players.

 

I hope we see this often enough this

 

gattsu pozu: guts pose; hot-dogging Japanese-style. After hitting a home run, a batter may punch the air with his fist, thereby striking the gattsu pozu. Japanese sports photographers love to catch this scene on film. Recently, local players have begun emulating major league sluggers who watch the ball sail over the fence before turning toward first base.

 

but I hope THIS DOES NOT CATCH ON

 

rakii sebun: lucky seven; the Japanese version of the seventh-inning stretch in which fans release thousands of condom-shaped balloons

[C.C.]

Where is he projected to bat in the lineup?

 

Manager Lou Piniella, who called Fukudome a cross between Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, said last week he expected to bat the new Cub fourth or fifth in the order.

 

Wow. I didn't think he had enough power to bat 4th. I always thought he was a leadoff or #2 guy.

 

Just like OBP isnt the ONLY important thing out of a leadoff hitter, power isnt the ONLY important thing out of a middle of the order hitter. Also, while he doesn't have HR power, he definitely has great doubles power and will probably lead the team or be very close to the lead in 2bs.

 

But it sure would be nice to have his OBP at the top of the order instead of a 330.

 

Yeah I was thinking Roberts and Fukedome at the top too. I wonder if Soriano has made noise about being moved off the leadoff spot?

 

 

Perhaps Lou hasn't had a chance to talk to Soriano yet? Lou's not going to make changes without talking to the player first.

[CuseCubFan69]

Do the Japanese leagues have a special thing they do when a player hits a HR that is different than the US? If they do I think it would be pretty cool if the fans did it whenever he hit a HR.

I believe they are asked to mail me a cheque for $50.

 

Seriously I found this, http://www.baywell.ne.jp/users/drlatham/baseball/nihongo/diction.htm

 

ganbare: good luck, do your best. Fans often scream, "ganbare," to their favorite players.

 

I hope we see this often enough this

 

gattsu pozu: guts pose; hot-dogging Japanese-style. After hitting a home run, a batter may punch the air with his fist, thereby striking the gattsu pozu. Japanese sports photographers love to catch this scene on film. Recently, local players have begun emulating major league sluggers who watch the ball sail over the fence before turning toward first base.

 

but I hope THIS DOES NOT CATCH ON

 

rakii sebun: lucky seven; the Japanese version of the seventh-inning stretch in which fans release thousands of condom-shaped balloons

 

Cool....thanks!

[ottawacubbie]

It has Dusty's name in Japanese - yameroo

[The Voice of Reason]

Where is he projected to bat in the lineup?

 

Manager Lou Piniella, who called Fukudome a cross between Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, said last week he expected to bat the new Cub fourth or fifth in the order.

 

Wow. I didn't think he had enough power to bat 4th. I always thought he was a leadoff or #2 guy.

 

Just like OBP isnt the ONLY important thing out of a leadoff hitter, power isnt the ONLY important thing out of a middle of the order hitter. Also, while he doesn't have HR power, he definitely has great doubles power and will probably lead the team or be very close to the lead in 2bs.

 

But it sure would be nice to have his OBP at the top of the order instead of a 330.

 

Yeah I was thinking Roberts and Fukedome at the top too. I wonder if Soriano has made noise about being moved off the leadoff spot?

 

Do you think the Cubs should actually obtain Roberts before everyone starts to pencil him into the lineup?

[CuseCubFan69]

Where is he projected to bat in the lineup?

 

Manager Lou Piniella, who called Fukudome a cross between Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, said last week he expected to bat the new Cub fourth or fifth in the order.

 

Wow. I didn't think he had enough power to bat 4th. I always thought he was a leadoff or #2 guy.

 

Just like OBP isnt the ONLY important thing out of a leadoff hitter, power isnt the ONLY important thing out of a middle of the order hitter. Also, while he doesn't have HR power, he definitely has great doubles power and will probably lead the team or be very close to the lead in 2bs.

 

But it sure would be nice to have his OBP at the top of the order instead of a 330.

 

Yeah I was thinking Roberts and Fukedome at the top too. I wonder if Soriano has made noise about being moved off the leadoff spot?

 

Do you think the Cubs should actually obtain Roberts before everyone starts to pencil him into the lineup?

 

That's why it's in pencil, you can erase it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Where is he projected to bat in the lineup?

 

Manager Lou Piniella, who called Fukudome a cross between Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, said last week he expected to bat the new Cub fourth or fifth in the order.

 

Wow. I didn't think he had enough power to bat 4th. I always thought he was a leadoff or #2 guy.

 

Just like OBP isnt the ONLY important thing out of a leadoff hitter, power isnt the ONLY important thing out of a middle of the order hitter. Also, while he doesn't have HR power, he definitely has great doubles power and will probably lead the team or be very close to the lead in 2bs.

 

But it sure would be nice to have his OBP at the top of the order instead of a 330.

 

Yeah I was thinking Roberts and Fukedome at the top too. I wonder if Soriano has made noise about being moved off the leadoff spot?

 

Do you think the Cubs should actually obtain Roberts before everyone starts to pencil him into the lineup?

 

That's why it's in pencil, you can erase it.

 

Is there a pencil font we can use?

[CuseCubFan69]

Where is he projected to bat in the lineup?

 

Manager Lou Piniella, who called Fukudome a cross between Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, said last week he expected to bat the new Cub fourth or fifth in the order.

 

Wow. I didn't think he had enough power to bat 4th. I always thought he was a leadoff or #2 guy.

 

Just like OBP isnt the ONLY important thing out of a leadoff hitter, power isnt the ONLY important thing out of a middle of the order hitter. Also, while he doesn't have HR power, he definitely has great doubles power and will probably lead the team or be very close to the lead in 2bs.

 

But it sure would be nice to have his OBP at the top of the order instead of a 330.

 

Yeah I was thinking Roberts and Fukedome at the top too. I wonder if Soriano has made noise about being moved off the leadoff spot?

 

Do you think the Cubs should actually obtain Roberts before everyone starts to pencil him into the lineup?

 

That's why it's in pencil, you can erase it.

 

Is there a pencil font we can use?

 

To the right, it's called delete.

[hardcorecubfan]

Where is he projected to bat in the lineup?

 

Manager Lou Piniella, who called Fukudome a cross between Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, said last week he expected to bat the new Cub fourth or fifth in the order.

 

Wow. I didn't think he had enough power to bat 4th. I always thought he was a leadoff or #2 guy.

 

Just like OBP isnt the ONLY important thing out of a leadoff hitter, power isnt the ONLY important thing out of a middle of the order hitter. Also, while he doesn't have HR power, he definitely has great doubles power and will probably lead the team or be very close to the lead in 2bs.

 

But it sure would be nice to have his OBP at the top of the order instead of a 330.

 

Yeah I was thinking Roberts and Fukedome at the top too. I wonder if Soriano has made noise about being moved off the leadoff spot?

 

Do you think the Cubs should actually obtain Roberts before everyone starts to pencil him into the lineup?

 

That's why it's in pencil, you can erase it.

 

I am hoping the Cubs use that eraser on the lineup card and get soriano out of that leadoff spot. Why would he complain?

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't want Soriano in leadoff, but I can live with it. I still feel it's far less important than just getting the right guys in the lineup in the first place.

[YearofDaCubs]

Damn, this feels so good. No more seeing JJones K on a pitch in the dirt or see him spike the ball in the grass. He probably had a hand in destroying the outfield with all of his spikes.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7553926?MSNHPHMA

 

But if Fukudome becomes, as scouts expect, another Raul Ibanez, the Cubs' lineup would feature four impact hitters: Fukudome, Soriano Lee and Ramirez, whose contracts will average — ahem — nearly $60 million per season.

 

Am I nitpicking, or is that just a poorly written, very confusing phrase? Their contracts will average $60 per season suggests to me that there are 4 guys whose individuals contracts will be $60m per year on average. Or that combined they will cost $240 million per year.

 

Perhaps he should have said, their contracts will combine to cost the Cubs $60 per year, on average over the course of the respective deals.

[Sterling30]

Do the Japanese leagues have a special thing they do when a player hits a HR that is different than the US? If they do I think it would be pretty cool if the fans did it whenever he hit a HR.

 

Hand him a big-ass stuffed animal when he crosses the plate while the Wrigley faithful do an umbrella dance? That'd be cool!

[C.C.]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7553926?MSNHPHMA

 

But if Fukudome becomes, as scouts expect, another Raul Ibanez, the Cubs' lineup would feature four impact hitters: Fukudome, Soriano Lee and Ramirez, whose contracts will average — ahem — nearly $60 million per season.

 

Am I nitpicking, or is that just a poorly written, very confusing phrase? Their contracts will average $60 per season suggests to me that there are 4 guys whose individuals contracts will be $60m per year on average. Or that combined they will cost $240 million per year.

 

Perhaps he should have said, their contracts will combine to cost the Cubs $60 per year, on average over the course of the respective deals.

 

 

Nitpicking a bit. I don't have a problem the way it's written. When he says average I assume he means the average of the 4 players.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7553926?MSNHPHMA

 

But if Fukudome becomes, as scouts expect, another Raul Ibanez, the Cubs' lineup would feature four impact hitters: Fukudome, Soriano Lee and Ramirez, whose contracts will average — ahem — nearly $60 million per season.

 

Am I nitpicking, or is that just a poorly written, very confusing phrase? Their contracts will average $60 per season suggests to me that there are 4 guys whose individuals contracts will be $60m per year on average. Or that combined they will cost $240 million per year.

 

Perhaps he should have said, their contracts will combine to cost the Cubs $60 per year, on average over the course of the respective deals.

wow, I just now realized that Giambi and Jeter combined to make $45M last season

[C.C.]

Levine On Fukudome

 

Interesting stuff from ESPN 1000's Bruce Levine this morning regarding Kosuke Fukudome.

 

* The Rangers offered the most money.

* The White Sox were not outbid - they offered about the same as the Cubs. However, Fukudome did not want to displace Jermaine Dye from right field.

* Fukudome was just intrigued by the Cubs, and liked the idea of being their first Japanese player.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

[CuseCubFan69]

I don't want Soriano in leadoff, but I can live with it. I still feel it's far less important than just getting the right guys in the lineup in the first place.

 

The thing I'm curious about is if Pie is really going to be traded and if he is, who plays right if DeRosa is the supersub? If DeRosa is the RF than the Cubs need to upgrade SS. It just doesn't quite fit yet.

[Sterling30]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7553926?MSNHPHMA

 

But if Fukudome becomes, as scouts expect, another Raul Ibanez, the Cubs' lineup would feature four impact hitters: Fukudome, Soriano Lee and Ramirez, whose contracts will average — ahem — nearly $60 million per season.

 

Am I nitpicking, or is that just a poorly written, very confusing phrase? Their contracts will average $60 per season suggests to me that there are 4 guys whose individuals contracts will be $60m per year on average. Or that combined they will cost $240 million per year.

 

Perhaps he should have said, their contracts will combine to cost the Cubs $60 per year, on average over the course of the respective deals.

wow, I just now realized that Giambi and Jeter combined to make $45M last season

 

Don't you mean "...combined to make - ahem - $45M..."?

[jersey cubs fan]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7553926?MSNHPHMA

 

But if Fukudome becomes, as scouts expect, another Raul Ibanez, the Cubs' lineup would feature four impact hitters: Fukudome, Soriano Lee and Ramirez, whose contracts will average — ahem — nearly $60 million per season.

 

Am I nitpicking, or is that just a poorly written, very confusing phrase? Their contracts will average $60 per season suggests to me that there are 4 guys whose individuals contracts will be $60m per year on average. Or that combined they will cost $240 million per year.

 

Perhaps he should have said, their contracts will combine to cost the Cubs $60 per year, on average over the course of the respective deals.

 

 

Nitpicking a bit. I don't have a problem the way it's written. When he says average I assume he means the average of the 4 players.

 

Yes, you can assume that. Anybody with a sense of baseball's salary structure will understand that. But the way it's written, it suggests the 4 of them average $60m per year, individually, as opposed to the sum of their 4 contracts averageing $60m per year.

[RynoRules]

I don't want Soriano in leadoff, but I can live with it. I still feel it's far less important than just getting the right guys in the lineup in the first place.

 

I agree, but it sure would be nice to drop Soriano in the order to the 5th or 6th spot where he belongs.

[Post Count Padder]

Levine On Fukudome

 

Interesting stuff from ESPN 1000's Bruce Levine this morning regarding Kosuke Fukudome.

 

* The Rangers offered the most money.

* The White Sox were not outbid - they offered about the same as the Cubs. However, Fukudome did not want to displace Jermaine Dye from right field.

* Fukudome was just intrigued by the Cubs, and liked the idea of being their first Japanese player.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Interesting.

[RynoRules]

HOOORAY!!! Well done Jim!

 

\:D/