Nats interested in Fukudome?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Nationals Have Discussed A Trade For A Rightfielder

By Mike Axisa [April 3 at 9:14pm CST]

In the wake of losing an everyday outfielder when they released Elijah Dukes, the Nationals have had discussions with several teams about a trade for a rightfielder according to MASNSports.com's Ben Goessling. Among the targets: Corey Hart, Kosuke Fukudome, and B.J. Upton.

 

Goessling says that none of those trade talks have been particularly substantive, but it's clear the Nats aren't necessarily looking for a cheap solution. The two sides weren't able to find a common ground for Hart, and the Nats came away with the impression that the Rays won't move the elder Upton brother unless they fall out of the AL East race this summer. Fukudome still has two years and $26.5MM left on his deal, so he's unlikely to be moved unless the Cubs eat a large portion of that commitment.

 

Washington feels rightfield is a thin position around the league, so for now they'll try to get by with a combination of Willie Harris and Willy Taveras. They'll have to hope their defensive skills make up for their collective lack of offense.

 

I dont know if there any validity to this whatsoever, but its an Interesting thought. I guess the roadblock is that they would want us to pick up a big chunk of his contract, and hed only be worth moving if they were to pick up a big chunk.

 

However, if Tyler Colvin were to prove that hes the real deal in 2010, Id definitely be up for it next offseason if theyd pick up a reasonable amount of Kosukes 2011 bill.

[17 Seconds]

i dont know if i'd want to trade him if we had to eat any of the contract really

[CubbieBum]

i dont know if i'd want to trade him if we had to eat any of the contract really

 

Basically how I feel. If Nats want to take his big salary off our hands I am all for it. If we have to eat a portion of the contract just to get rid of one of our few lefty batters and our best option in RF right now then I am not for it.

[dew1679666265]

i dont know if i'd want to trade him if we had to eat any of the contract really

 

Yeah, I'd only trade him for a pretty good return. No in-house options to replace him means he'd leave a big hole if we traded him.

[CubbieBum]

If I knew that Colvin was ready or that we could get Dye or Giles for extremely cheap I would trade Fukudome and be willing to pay a small portion of the salary. But those would all most likely make us worse and judging from what the owner said last week we aren't in need of money and won't be unwilling to add salary at the trade deadline.

[dew1679666265]

If I knew that Colvin was ready or that we could get Dye or Giles for extremely cheap I would trade Fukudome and be willing to pay a small portion of the salary. But those would all most likely make us worse and judging from what the owner said last week we aren't in need of money and won't be unwilling to add salary at the trade deadline.

 

Dye OPS: .793

 

Giles OPS: .548 (61 games)

 

Kosuke OPS: .796

 

Those are last year's numbers for each player. I'd take Kosuke significantly over either of the other two even before taking defense into account (which Kosuke is way, way better than both of them). If I'm trading Kosuke and replacing him with either, I want a good return from the Nats to even consider it.

[CubbieBum]

If I knew that Colvin was ready or that we could get Dye or Giles for extremely cheap I would trade Fukudome and be willing to pay a small portion of the salary. But those would all most likely make us worse and judging from what the owner said last week we aren't in need of money and won't be unwilling to add salary at the trade deadline.

 

Dye OPS: .793

 

Giles OPS: .548 (61 games)

 

Kosuke OPS: .796

 

Those are last year's numbers for each player. I'd take Kosuke significantly over either of the other two even before taking defense into account (which Kosuke is way, way better than both of them). If I'm trading Kosuke and replacing him with either, I want a good return from the Nats to even consider it.

 

I realize all that but it would get him off the books giving us more money for the trade deadline (bring in two players perhaps) and more money in FA for next season. I am a Fukudome fan but I am not opposed to picking up say 2 million of his contract and then signing Dye or Giles for 1 million. That said I highly doubt the Nats would make that trade and I am almost certain Dye and Giles won't take a contract worth that little.

[dew1679666265]

I realize all that but it would get him off the books giving us more money for the trade deadline (bring in two players perhaps) and more money in FA for next season. I am a Fukudome fan but I am not opposed to picking up say 2 million of his contract and then signing Dye or Giles for 1 million. That said I highly doubt the Nats would make that trade and I am almost certain Dye and Giles won't take a contract worth that little.

 

I see where you're coming from, but without a long-term option almost ready to start in right, I don't see the benefit to significantly weakening the position - unless the Nats gave us a really good deal.

 

Here's the 2011 FA OF class per Cot's:

 

Alfredo Amezaga LAD

Pat Burrell TB

Eric Byrnes SEA

Frank Catalanotto NYM

Carl Crawford TB

Coco Crisp OAK *

Michael Cuddyer MIN *

David DeJesus KC *

Adam Dunn WAS

Jermaine Dye CWS

Jody Gerut MIL

Jose Guillen KC

Willie Harris WAS

Brad Hawpe COL *

Austin Kearns CLE

Jason Kubel MIN *

Magglio Ordonez DET *

Marcus Thames NYY

Jayson Werth PHI

 

The only players I might take over Kosuke in that group are Dunn, Hawpe, Crawford and Werth. Barring a Colvin breakout or a trade, we're looking at two years (at least) of poor right field production if we trade Kosuke.

[CubbieBum]

I realize all that but it would get him off the books giving us more money for the trade deadline (bring in two players perhaps) and more money in FA for next season. I am a Fukudome fan but I am not opposed to picking up say 2 million of his contract and then signing Dye or Giles for 1 million. That said I highly doubt the Nats would make that trade and I am almost certain Dye and Giles won't take a contract worth that little.

 

I see where you're coming from, but without a long-term option almost ready to start in right, I don't see the benefit to significantly weakening the position - unless the Nats gave us a really good deal.

 

Here's the 2011 FA OF class per Cot's:

 

Alfredo Amezaga LAD

Pat Burrell TB

Eric Byrnes SEA

Frank Catalanotto NYM

Carl Crawford TB

Coco Crisp OAK *

Michael Cuddyer MIN *

David DeJesus KC *

Adam Dunn WAS

Jermaine Dye CWS

Jody Gerut MIL

Jose Guillen KC

Willie Harris WAS

Brad Hawpe COL *

Austin Kearns CLE

Jason Kubel MIN *

Magglio Ordonez DET *

Marcus Thames NYY

Jayson Werth PHI

 

The only players I might take over Kosuke in that group are Dunn, Hawpe, Crawford and Werth. Barring a Colvin breakout or a trade, we're looking at two years (at least) of poor right field production if we trade Kosuke.

 

Agreed but I would be making that trade based on Colvin at the least getting his shot in the second year. He will be 25 at the end of the year so it is he is at the point that he needs to be given an everyday job and see if he sinks or swims. As long as Fukudome is here he will never get that shot. I prefer Fukudome this season as I think Colvin can be 4th OF for a year to get used to MLB pitching but next year Colvin needs to get his shot unless Fukudome improves off of his first two years which I think is quite possible.

[seanhopper]

According to reports, the Yanks are looking for some outfield help as well. Maybe they'll take Fukudome off the Cubs hands and not ask for his salary to be covered.

[A-Cal]

Why not get rid of him if possible?

 

Colvin can pass the time until Nady can play the field. Then we can assess the situation in the off season.

 

Colvin could stick, or Nady. If not, look somewhere else. Fukudome was over-hyped, and is not a make or break player.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I had a feeling his name may start coming up, but to me it is more likely to come up this offseason.... At that point the cubs may get solid return by eating a few million. If that could happen I would let Lee walk and go for Pena or Dunn.

[A-Cal]

Oh god, if we go after Pena I will cry.

 

I just read a proposal of Guzman for Fukudome. That is a beautiful, and fair trade. We get a back-up short stop. We also get insurance for our questionable second base platoon. Guzman could start at short and then Theriot could slide over to second, or I guess Guzman could play second.

 

I would do it.

[Guest]

Oh god, if we go after Pena I will cry.

 

I just read a proposal of Guzman for Fukudome. That is a beautiful, and fair trade. We get a back-up short stop. We also get insurance for our questionable second base platoon. Guzman could start at short and then Theriot could slide over to second, or I guess Guzman could play second.

 

I would do it.

 

You know, Kosuke is good at baseball, real good actually.

[A-Cal]

Oh god, if we go after Pena I will cry.

 

I just read a proposal of Guzman for Fukudome. That is a beautiful, and fair trade. We get a back-up short stop. We also get insurance for our questionable second base platoon. Guzman could start at short and then Theriot could slide over to second, or I guess Guzman could play second.

 

I would do it.

 

You know, Kosuke is good at baseball, real good actually.

 

Right, I will give you the good. I am not buying, and I haven't seen anything to classify him as real good.

[Eephus Speed]

Dye OPS: .793

 

Giles OPS: .548 (61 games)

 

Kosuke OPS: .796

 

Those are last year's numbers for each player. I'd take Kosuke significantly over either of the other two even before taking defense into account (which Kosuke is way, way better than both of them). If I'm trading Kosuke and replacing him with either, I want a good return from the Nats to even consider it.

 

Yeah, the difference in defensive value can't be overstated. Dye's career UZR/150 in RF is -15.1 and he's been -21 or worse each of the last 4 years (-24.5 last season). Fukudome's career UZR/150 in RF is 18.2. Dye had a negative WAR in 2009, whereas Fukudome was worth 2.3 wins.

[dew1679666265]

Agreed but I would be making that trade based on Colvin at the least getting his shot in the second year. He will be 25 at the end of the year so it is he is at the point that he needs to be given an everyday job and see if he sinks or swims. As long as Fukudome is here he will never get that shot. I prefer Fukudome this season as I think Colvin can be 4th OF for a year to get used to MLB pitching but next year Colvin needs to get his shot unless Fukudome improves off of his first two years which I think is quite possible.

 

Why rush Colvin though? He was a raw player coming into pro baseball and 25 isn't an age where you either make it or you wash out. If he was forcing his way into the lineup, I could understand aggressively trying to get him into the lineup, but last year between A+ and AA, he hit .812. He still has options, is only 25 and hasn't torn up professional pitching to this point. Patience is the best strategy with him right now, I think.

 

If he shows improvement this season, then I might consider dealing Kosuke in the offseason, but I don't see the positive in making the team significantly worse if we don't get a good deal in return.

[CubbieBum]

Oh god, if we go after Pena I will cry.

 

I just read a proposal of Guzman for Fukudome. That is a beautiful, and fair trade. We get a back-up short stop. We also get insurance for our questionable second base platoon. Guzman could start at short and then Theriot could slide over to second, or I guess Guzman could play second.

 

I would do it.

 

Really? If both Fontenot and Baker fail we will move Theriot over and call up Castro. Plus Guzman is pretty bad at the plate. He has a decent average but everything else is crap. His career OBP is .307 and career OPS is below .700. I'm pretty sure Castro is OPS .650-.700 at worst right now so why pay millions to have a guy do it and lose Fukudome in the process?

[dew1679666265]

Why not get rid of him if possible?

 

Colvin can pass the time until Nady can play the field. Then we can assess the situation in the off season.

 

Colvin could stick, or Nady. If not, look somewhere else. Fukudome was over-hyped, and is not a make or break player.

 

I like Colvin more than most on this board, but I simply don't see him being ready to be a full-time, productive ML outfielder at this point. Nady has some health questions still lingering and won't be fully ready to go for a while now.

 

If we trade Kosuke now, there's no way we improve as a team. Without getting a good deal from the Nats (or whoever), I don't see the benefit in it.

[CubbieBum]

Agreed but I would be making that trade based on Colvin at the least getting his shot in the second year. He will be 25 at the end of the year so it is he is at the point that he needs to be given an everyday job and see if he sinks or swims. As long as Fukudome is here he will never get that shot. I prefer Fukudome this season as I think Colvin can be 4th OF for a year to get used to MLB pitching but next year Colvin needs to get his shot unless Fukudome improves off of his first two years which I think is quite possible.

 

Why rush Colvin though? He was a raw player coming into pro baseball and 25 isn't an age where you either make it or you wash out. If he was forcing his way into the lineup, I could understand aggressively trying to get him into the lineup, but last year between A+ and AA, he hit .812. He still has options, is only 25 and hasn't torn up professional pitching to this point. Patience is the best strategy with him right now, I think.

 

If he shows improvement this season, then I might consider dealing Kosuke in the offseason, but I don't see the positive in making the team significantly worse if we don't get a good deal in return.

 

Next year is Colvin's make or break year to me. However if we can shed Fukudome's large contract I wouldn't be opposed to seeing what he can do. If he proves too raw Nady will be back soon enough. I wouldn't trade Fukudome unless we eat less than 2-3 million of the contract which means he would be very unlikely to be traded if I was the GM. I wouldn't be shopping him but I wouldn't not listen to offers either.

 

Like I said I like Fukudome and think he is undervalued by many because they expected .300+ and 20+ HR's but he is still vastly over payed and I would consider any trade that allows us to shed that contract.

[dew1679666265]

Next year is Colvin's make or break year to me. However if we can shed Fukudome's large contract I wouldn't be opposed to seeing what he can do. If he proves too raw Nady will be back soon enough.

 

I still don't see why a player's 26 year old season when he still has options left is a make or break year for him. If he was out of options, I could understand, but there's no reason why we should rush him at this point.

 

I wouldn't trade Fukudome unless we eat less than 2-3 million of the contract which means he would be very unlikely to be traded if I was the GM. I wouldn't be shopping him but I wouldn't not listen to offers either.

 

Like I said I like Fukudome and think he is undervalued by many because they expected .300+ and 20+ HR's but he is still vastly over payed and I would consider any trade that allows us to shed that contract.

 

I'd definitely listen to offers, but I wouldn't ship him out if I'm paying much - if any salary - and if I don't get good (maybe B+ or better) prospects. We have little incentive to trade him as his contract isn't particularly restrictive. It's not an 8 year deal or even a 5 year deal. He's only under contract for two more seasons and there are very few OF options better than him on the market in that timespan.

 

And I definitely don't think he's vastly overpaid. Overpaid a bit maybe, but when defense is taken into consideration, he's pretty close to worth what he's being paid, I think.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

In this scenario, we're trading the guy who put up a .375 OBP in the majors last season to clear a spot for the guy who has never come within 40 points of that in the minors.

=D>

[Guest]

In this scenario, we're trading the guy who put up a .375 OBP in the majors last season to clear a spot for the guy who has never come within 40 points of that in the minors.

=D>

 

Don't forget they'd be dumping the defensive wizard in RF for the guy who's a true LF.

[Sammy Sofa]

In this scenario, we're trading the guy who put up a .375 OBP in the majors last season to clear a spot for the guy who has never come within 40 points of that in the minors.

=D>

 

Don't forget they'd be dumping the defensive wizard in RF for the guy who's a true LF.

 

In short, NSBB's best and brightest are all over this.

[A-Cal]

In this scenario, we're trading the guy who put up a .375 OBP in the majors last season to clear a spot for the guy who has never come within 40 points of that in the minors.

=D>

 

Don't forget they'd be dumping the defensive wizard in RF for the guy who's a true LF.

 

In short, NSBB's best and brightest are all over this.

 

Why, thank you.

 

:thumbsup: