Piniella: Fukudome Needs to Start Hitting

[UMFan83]

As I've stated before, Kosuke has gone through several ups and downs. This isn't a consistent slump. In fact, when he does slump, it has been for 1-3 weeks at a time. He has been in good streaks more often than he has been in bad, but the problem is that he doesn't have streaks where he puts up a .600 or .700 OPS. He either hits .900 or below .300. So even though his overall numbers aren't good, it's not that he doesn't have plenty of periods where he does hit very well. It's just that when he slumps, he doesn't do anything. It's rather strange.

 

Here are his breakdowns in 10 game stretches since May 1:

 

.324 .366 .459 .825

.219 .375 .250 .625

.306 .409 .444 .853

.235 .381 .412 .793

.316 .422 .474 .896

.205 .279 .308 .587

.188 .278 .250 .528

.294 .368 .500 .868

.095 .130 .143 .273 (only 6 games)

 

He really hasn't had a stretch where he really played amazingly well. The .800 OPS stretches are nice, but I would think the Cubs expected around a .820-.850 OPS out of Kosuke when they signed him. When that is considered his "good stretches", there is a problem.

[Mugged By Fluffy]

I would have preferred that Lou kept this out of the press, unless he has already talked to Kouske a few times and feels this might give him a jolt.

 

Generally speaking, I'd prefer a manager talk to the player. But all Lou did was say Kosuke needs to start hitting, and that's true. It's not like Kosuke is injured and Lou is saying he thinks he's faking, or that Lou is saying Fukudome isn't trying. He's saying he should be hitting better. I don't have a problem with that.

 

I don't have a big problem w/what Lou said but I still prefer he deal w/it behind closed doors. I think he could have said we need more offensive production out of a player or 2 and not single the guy out.

 

Its' not like Lou is throwing him under the bus or blaming him for team offensive problems, and he isn't telling us something that the fans, the press or Fukudome himself doesn't know. Really....we had enough of the protect-a-player, spin the Wheel of Excuses regime in Baker. That stuff should not fly anymore.

 

It's nice to see Lou respectfully and tactfully hold Fukudome accountable. There's a right way to do it.

[GhostRunner]

The Cubs.com article specifically states that Fukudome wasn't informed of Lou's concerns face-to-face before Piniella went to the media with it.

 

That's the kind of stuff that turns players bitter on their manager, as pampered and Dusty-esque as it might seem. I doubt anyone would want their boss to make an critique about their performance at a company meeting before they at least spoke with you about it first, right?

 

Fukudome probably isn't too upset, but you can read in his comments that he was a little annoyed by the situation. Best result would be for him to start taking some more pitches; he can't even seem to get a bunt down lately ...

[Jon]

As I've stated before, Kosuke has gone through several ups and downs. This isn't a consistent slump. In fact, when he does slump, it has been for 1-3 weeks at a time. He has been in good streaks more often than he has been in bad, but the problem is that he doesn't have streaks where he puts up a .600 or .700 OPS. He either hits .900 or below .300. So even though his overall numbers aren't good, it's not that he doesn't have plenty of periods where he does hit very well. It's just that when he slumps, he doesn't do anything. It's rather strange.

 

Here are his breakdowns in 10 game stretches since May 1:

 

.324 .366 .459 .825

.219 .375 .250 .625

.306 .409 .444 .853

.235 .381 .412 .793

.316 .422 .474 .896

.205 .279 .308 .587

.188 .278 .250 .528

.294 .368 .500 .868

.095 .130 .143 .273 (only 6 games)

 

He really hasn't had a stretch where he really played amazingly well. The .800 OPS stretches are nice, but I would think the Cubs expected around a .820-.850 OPS out of Kosuke when they signed him. When that is considered his "good stretches", there is a problem.

I personally like to look at irregular periods based on OPS trend:

 

3/31-5/1 - 121 PAs - .353/.455/.500

5/2-5/26 - 93 PAs - .218/.326/.295

5/27-6/27 - 111 PAs - .315/.423/.500

6/28-7/19 - 69 PAs - .161/.235/.226

7/20-8/2 - 50 PAs - .333/.440/.548

8/3-8/10 - 27 PAs - .080/.111/.120

 

So I did misremember a bit. I could have sworn that there was at least one more period of sub .300 OPS in there after May 1. Like the last thread, though, it's important to point out his lack of walks in this slump and his last one. In his first big slump, he still at least walked. Now, when he doesn't hit, he does nothing but make outs.

 

He has still been hitting well more often than he has been hitting poorly. When he hits poorly, though, he's really bad.

[ChiCubsfan0502]

The Cubs.com article specifically states that Fukudome wasn't informed of Lou's concerns face-to-face before Piniella went to the media with it.

 

That's the kind of stuff that turns players bitter on their manager, as pampered and Dusty-esque as it might seem. I doubt anyone would want their boss to make an critique about their performance at a company meeting before they at least spoke with you about it first, right?

 

Fukudome probably isn't too upset, but you can read in his comments that he was a little annoyed by the situation. Best result would be for him to start driving the ball and knocking in runs; he can't even seem to get a bunt down lately ...

 

Fixed. If he produces, it's a non issue. When you are making 12M a year and came with the fan fare he did, you had better produce.

[ChiCubsfan0502]

I especially like Fukudome's comment saying: "Gerald hasn't seen me when I'm really hitting bad". Umm, yes, we all have for well over 2 months now, Kosuke.

[SouthSideRyan]

I especially like Fukudome's comment saying: "Gerald hasn't seen me when I'm really hitting bad". Umm, yes, we all have for well over 2 months now, Kosuke.

 

Maybe that's his surprise he talked about earlier in the year.

[Choonch]

I especially like Fukudome's comment saying: "Gerald hasn't seen me when I'm really hitting bad". Umm, yes, we all have for well over 2 months now, Kosuke.

 

LOL, that stood out to me as well. If he hasn't hit a bad stretch yet...yikes.

 

I'm somewhat shocked that he hasn't heard any boos whatsoever yet. Jacque would be absolutely hated if he were hitting like Kosuke is right now.

[Electron Blue]

I especially like Fukudome's comment saying: "Gerald hasn't seen me when I'm really hitting bad". Umm, yes, we all have for well over 2 months now, Kosuke.

 

LOL, that stood out to me as well. If he hasn't hit a bad stretch yet...yikes.

 

I'm somewhat shocked that he hasn't heard any boos whatsoever yet. Jacque would be absolutely hated if he were hitting like Kosuke is right now.

 

I honestly believe that his opening day performance is a huge factor still, in his treatment by the fans.

[BigSlick]

As I've stated before, Kosuke has gone through several ups and downs. This isn't a consistent slump. In fact, when he does slump, it has been for 1-3 weeks at a time. He has been in good streaks more often than he has been in bad, but the problem is that he doesn't have streaks where he puts up a .600 or .700 OPS. He either hits .900 or below .300. So even though his overall numbers aren't good, it's not that he doesn't have plenty of periods where he does hit very well. It's just that when he slumps, he doesn't do anything. It's rather strange.

I'd love to see his fantastic eye return, he was laying off EVERYTHING away and inside when he came in for the first 2 months, now he's flailing away.

 

It may be fatigue and he's pressing, I really hope it is.

[MasterBlaster]

I especially like Fukudome's comment saying: "Gerald hasn't seen me when I'm really hitting bad". Umm, yes, we all have for well over 2 months now, Kosuke.

 

LOL, that stood out to me as well. If he hasn't hit a bad stretch yet...yikes.

 

I'm somewhat shocked that he hasn't heard any boos whatsoever yet. Jacque would be absolutely hated if he were hitting like Kosuke is right now.

I've heard boos in the last few weeks while listening to gameday audio. You can hear the crowd quite well from where Pat and Ron call the game. I distinctly heard this from a fan after a whirly K: "YOU SUUUUCK" with scattered boos elsewhere at the same time.

[ConstableRabbit]

Nice to see Soriano saying good things about his teammate:

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080811-soriano-kosuke-fukudome-chicago-cubs,1,1880934.story

 

"It's tough, because mentally you get tired," Soriano said. "You don't see your family. You don't see your friends, and you're in a different country with a new language. It's tough, but I'm proud of how he's handled it, especially the first year."

 

Although I'm sure Soriano trying to speak Japanese would just further piss of Kosuke

[fromthestretch]

Nice to see Soriano saying good things about his teammate:

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080811-soriano-kosuke-fukudome-chicago-cubs,1,1880934.story

 

"It's tough, because mentally you get tired," Soriano said. "You don't see your family. You don't see your friends, and you're in a different country with a new language. It's tough, but I'm proud of how he's handled it, especially the first year."

 

Although I'm sure Soriano trying to speak Japanese would just further piss of Kosuke

 

IIRC, Soriano does speak it a little. I remember reading somewhere that he learned some Japanese when he played over there.

[ConstableRabbit]

Nice to see Soriano saying good things about his teammate:

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080811-soriano-kosuke-fukudome-chicago-cubs,1,1880934.story

 

"It's tough, because mentally you get tired," Soriano said. "You don't see your family. You don't see your friends, and you're in a different country with a new language. It's tough, but I'm proud of how he's handled it, especially the first year."

 

Although I'm sure Soriano trying to speak Japanese would just further piss of Kosuke

 

IIRC, Soriano does speak it a little. I remember reading somewhere that he learned some Japanese when he played over there.

Oh he definitely speaks a little. The article calls him "semi-fluent". Do they call his English "semi-fluent"? :lol:

[fromthestretch]

Nice to see Soriano saying good things about his teammate:

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080811-soriano-kosuke-fukudome-chicago-cubs,1,1880934.story

 

"It's tough, because mentally you get tired," Soriano said. "You don't see your family. You don't see your friends, and you're in a different country with a new language. It's tough, but I'm proud of how he's handled it, especially the first year."

 

Although I'm sure Soriano trying to speak Japanese would just further piss of Kosuke

 

IIRC, Soriano does speak it a little. I remember reading somewhere that he learned some Japanese when he played over there.

Oh he definitely speaks a little. The article calls him "semi-fluent". Do they call his English "semi-fluent"? :lol:

 

Guess it would have helped if I read the article. "Semi-fluent" can certainly be open to a wide range of interpretations.

[badnews]

And now Fukudome has a worse OPS than Burnitz in 2005 or Jacque Jones with the Twins in 2005.

[Laura]

Sounds like Fukudome is running out of chances to turn it around.

 

Bruce Miles / The Daily Herald[/url]"] [Y]ou didn't have to read too much between the lines to see where Piniella was directing his tight-lipped anger.

 

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on singles by Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa, with those hits composing two-thirds of the team's hit total for the game.

 

But what happened in the fourth galled Piniella.

 

Jim Edmonds led off with a walk, and DeRosa singled. But Kosuke Fukudome lifted a weak flyball to shallow center, and Edmonds had to hold. Geovany Soto then grounded into a double play, and that was that.

 

"First and third with no outs, put the ball in play on the ground somewhere, and you get a run," Piniella said, referring to the at-bat by Fukudome, who batted seventh in the order and who may be headed for a seat on the bench.

[Sammy Sofa]

Seems kind of odd to pin that game on Fukudome or single him out when really nobody did anything outside of DeRosa.

 

Fuku's production is obviously way below what you want for a corner outfielder, but I don't see why Lou is mad at anyone but himself for not batting Kosuke lower in the lineup these days.

Edited August 21, 2008 by Sammy Sofa

[El Rojito]

Bruce Miles / The Daily Herald[/url]"]"First and third with no outs, put the ball in play on the ground somewhere, and you get a run," Piniella said, referring to the at-bat by Fukudome, who batted seventh in the order and who may be headed for a seat on the bench.

So if Fukudome's on the bench, what's the lineup? DeRosa in right, Fontentot/Cedeno platoon at 2nd? And what's the plan for next year? Hope Fukudome improves?

[Tracer Bullet]

Sounds like Fukudome is running out of chances to turn it around.

 

Bruce Miles / The Daily Herald[/url]"] [Y]ou didn't have to read too much between the lines to see where Piniella was directing his tight-lipped anger.

 

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on singles by Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa, with those hits composing two-thirds of the team's hit total for the game.

 

But what happened in the fourth galled Piniella.

 

Jim Edmonds led off with a walk, and DeRosa singled. But Kosuke Fukudome lifted a weak flyball to shallow center, and Edmonds had to hold. Geovany Soto then grounded into a double play, and that was that.

 

"First and third with no outs, put the ball in play on the ground somewhere, and you get a run," Piniella said, referring to the at-bat by Fukudome, who batted seventh in the order and who may be headed for a seat on the bench.

 

That's stupid (not you, Lou's comment). 1 and 3 w/ 0 out, I'd much rather have a decent fly ball than a grounder. Hit it to the pitcher or either corner and you have 1 and 3 with 1 out (or maybe the runner at 3rd gets thrown out a home). Maybe if you hit it up the middle you get a run, but you clear the bases with the DP. Runner on 3rd with < 2 out in a 1-run game, everyone's trying to hit it in the air.

 

As Mojo said, the whole offense sucked in that game. Fukudome's struggling, but he's hardly alone in the blame for that one. Soto's GIDP was worse, imo.

[soapy]

Soriano: 0 for 3, BB

Theriot: 0 for 4

Lee: 0 for 3, BB

Ramirez: 1 for 4, GIDP

Edmonds: 0 for 3, BB

Fukudome: 0 for 3

Soto: 0 for 1, 2BB, GIDP

 

Damnit, Kosuke!!

 

Lou's comment seems pretty stupid. Not all PA's are equal, but I have a hard time singling out Kosuke here. Having said that, Fukudome now has a lower OPS than Theriot and that is a little troubling. Just bat him in the eight spot and lets move on. I wouldn't replace him.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I think it takes quite a bit of extrapolation to say that Lou is pinning the loss or the lack of offense last night on Kosuke.

[Choonch]

I think Lou's comments are just a sign of continued frustration with Kosuke. He's getting paid to be a top player on this team, yet he is one of the worst hitters on the club...and he's showing no signs of turning things around. I don't think it's going to cost us the division, but I don't have any confidence in him getting the job done in the the playoffs.

 

That said, who do you replace him with? You will gain something offensively with Derosa in RF and Fontenot at 2b, but there will also be a dropoff on defense.

 

The problem is that we have him for 3 more years. Ugh.

Edited August 21, 2008 by Choonch

[Tracer Bullet]

I think it takes quite a bit of extrapolation to say that Lou is pinning the loss or the lack of offense last night on Kosuke.

 

No one is saying Lou is blaming Fukudome for the entire lack of offense. But we lost by 1 and he clearly called out Fukudome's AB for not picking up the RBI with a guy on 3rd and less than 2 outs. It's not a stretch to say he's putting a hefty amount of blame for the loss on Fukudome.

[UMFan83]

Of come on, Lou is picking on Kosuke because he's not having a good season at all, not because of one bad game.