Is it actually realistic to think Fukudome won't be back?

[Tracer Bullet]

There is no possible way for this to happen and have people save face. Huge F up by Gary Hughes and Jim Hendry, huge bed crapping by Fukudome, huge waste of money by Cubs ownership. There just isn't a way for this to work out with everybody saving face.

 

I wouldn't give up on Fukudome just yet.

 

I am a bit worried though becuase Fuk is clearly in Lou's doghouse, and I can't remember a player who has made his way out of there yet.

 

 

Fontenot? Maybe that was just SS Fontenot that was in Lou's doghouse though. But we have never seen anyone get as entrenched in Lous doghouse as Kosuke.

 

Murton waves...from the As minor league system.

[woodchip2153]

There is no possible way for this to happen and have people save face. Huge F up by Gary Hughes and Jim Hendry, huge bed crapping by Fukudome, huge waste of money by Cubs ownership. There just isn't a way for this to work out with everybody saving face.

 

I wouldn't give up on Fukudome just yet.

 

I am a bit worried though becuase Fuk is clearly in Lou's doghouse, and I can't remember a player who has made his way out of there yet.

 

 

Fontenot? Maybe that was just SS Fontenot that was in Lou's doghouse though. But we have never seen anyone get as entrenched in Lous doghouse as Kosuke.

 

Murton waves...from the As minor league system.

 

so does Eyre... it's too painful to mention where he is waving from though.

[BigbadB]

Why would the players union intervene if by chance both sides did want this to happen and it was mutual? I don't know the specifics of the union and what not. What do they stand to lose if they amicably split with a respectable buyout?

 

Once the precedent is set, there is no stopping other teams and players from making similar arrangements. The player's union will not stand for this. Opt out clauses can be found in newer contracts that protect a team or player from uncomfortable situations.

 

Contracts are meant to be honored, and the player's union will fight for the player anytime the contract is not honored, whether it's mutual or not.

[jersey cubs fan]

Why would the players union intervene if by chance both sides did want this to happen and it was mutual? I don't know the specifics of the union and what not. What do they stand to lose if they amicably split with a respectable buyout?

 

Once the precedent is set, there is no stopping other teams and players from making similar arrangements. The player's union will not stand for this. Opt out clauses can be found in newer contracts that protect a team or player from uncomfortable situations.

 

Contracts are meant to be honored, and the player's union will fight for the player anytime the contract is not honored, whether it's mutual or not.

 

Didn't they step in on the ARod situation when he was almost traded to Boston? He was allowing them to rip up the contract or something and the union wouldn't allow it.

[Tracer Bullet]

Why would the players union intervene if by chance both sides did want this to happen and it was mutual? I don't know the specifics of the union and what not. What do they stand to lose if they amicably split with a respectable buyout?

 

Once the precedent is set, there is no stopping other teams and players from making similar arrangements. The player's union will not stand for this. Opt out clauses can be found in newer contracts that protect a team or player from uncomfortable situations.

 

Contracts are meant to be honored, and the player's union will fight for the player anytime the contract is not honored, whether it's mutual or not.

 

Didn't they step in on the ARod situation when he was almost traded to Boston? He was allowing them to rip up the contract or something and the union wouldn't allow it.

 

I thought I heard that as well, but can't remember any of the details. I'm pretty sure that's how he ended up in NY rather than Boston.

 

ETA: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E7DE173FF93BA25751C1A9659C8B63

[davearm2]

Why would the players union intervene if by chance both sides did want this to happen and it was mutual? I don't know the specifics of the union and what not. What do they stand to lose if they amicably split with a respectable buyout?

 

Once the precedent is set, there is no stopping other teams and players from making similar arrangements. The player's union will not stand for this. Opt out clauses can be found in newer contracts that protect a team or player from uncomfortable situations.

 

Contracts are meant to be honored, and the player's union will fight for the player anytime the contract is not honored, whether it's mutual or not.

I don't really disagree with the notion that this won't happen.

 

But I certainly wouldn't characterize it as the player's union "fighting for the player".

 

The context is, Fukudome and the Cubs have a mutually acceptable agreement to terminate the contract, and the MLBPA would stand in the way of it, forcing *both sides* to honor a contract they both want out of.

 

The ARod/Red Sox thing is a good benchmark. ARod wanted to go to Boston, but the MLBPA wouldn't let it happen under the terms BOS, TEX, and ARod all found agreeable.

 

Isn't that kinda the opposite of fighting for a player? Fighting against him more like it.

[RedFlash]

 

But I certainly wouldn't characterize it as the player's union "fighting for the player".

 

The context is, Fukudome and the Cubs have a mutually acceptable agreement to terminate the contract, and the MLBPA would stand in the way of it, forcing *both sides* to honor a contract they both want out of.

 

The ARod/Red Sox thing is a good benchmark. ARod wanted to go to Boston, but the MLBPA wouldn't let it happen under the terms BOS, TEX, and ARod all found agreeable.

 

Isn't that kinda the opposite of fighting for a player? Fighting against him more like it.

 

If Fukudome's intent was to return to Japan and never come back to the Major League he could tell the MLBPA to "bugger off" and he could take a settlement and return to Japan. I don't think there isn't anything the MLBPA can do but "fight" to make sure Fukudome got all of what is left of his contract. But if both sides agree on a settlement and have it in writings, I don't know if the MLBPA can stop it.

 

With that said, I much rather give Fukudome another yr. I'm hoping to see some changes in his stance and I want see if he can adjust to the ML pitchers adjusting to him. If he doesn't make the adjustments then I would start talking buyout after the 09 season.