Nats interested in Fukudome?

[NCCubFan]

Fukudome for Strasburg. Sounds fair to me. :pig:

[dew1679666265]

Fukudome for Strasburg. Sounds fair to me. :pig:

 

I could be convinced to pay a bit of Fukudome's salary in that deal. :-)

[JonJayCutler]

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.

 

Add Kubel and Cuddyer to that list.

[dew1679666265]

Add Kubel and Cuddyer to that list.

 

Ignoring defense, sure. But like Dunn and Hawpe, their defense really hurts their value and, depending on cost, are possibly less valuable than Kosuke.

 

Kubel: .907 OPS; -20 UZR/150

 

Cuddyer: .862 OPS; -10.1 UZR/150

 

Kosuke: .796 OPS; 18.2 UZR/150

(OPS is from 2009; UZR/150 is career as a right fielder)

 

If Kuble can repeat that .907 OPS, then he's definitely on the list. It's nearly 100 points better than he's ever hit before, though. If he drops back to low-.800s, high-.700s like much of his career, Kosuke is better.

[dew1679666265]

Keep this in mind on Kosuke as well - his prolonged slumps while in the majors have come from his mechanics at the plate getting out of whack. Every time his old batting coach from Japan has come to the states to work with him, he's performed much, much better.

 

Jaramillo specializes in working with the batters' mechanics. If he can keep Kosuke out of those prolonged slumps, he could really boost that OPS quite a bit.

[Backtobanks]

This discussion reminds me of the "Trade Theriot" discussion earlier. It's fun to speculate, but a team that has hopes of contending isn't going to trade their starting RF (or SS) to make room for an unproven rookie. Once Colvin and Castro prove themselves at the ML level, then Fukudome and Theriot become trade bait.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I know they are talking right now,but as far as next ofseason goes, assume Lilly is gone after this year, and we lose Aramis and/or Lee. Then, we are left rebuilding, and in which case, moving Fukudome for the right salary relief sounds like the right way to go. Lets face it, the Nats aint going to compete this year, so Fukudome makes no sense for them unless we eat more than a lions share of the contract, which makes no sense for us, unless of course Strasburg is in the equation which isnt even a remote possibility without Castro, Cashner, Vitters, Jackson and then some thrown in.

 

However, a month or so down the line, if Colvin proves that if nothing else, hes a viable 4th outfielder and the Nats still need a right fielder, Nady could be a possibility.

[CUBZ99]

This discussion reminds me of the "Trade Theriot" discussion earlier. It's fun to speculate, but a team that has hopes of contending isn't going to trade their starting RF (or SS) to make room for an unproven rookie. Once Colvin and Castro prove themselves at the ML level, then Fukudome and Theriot become trade bait.

 

I don't see why they wouldn't at least listen to offers. Fukudome is a decent RF, but is being severely overpaid. If the Cubs are going to keep a winning team on the field long term, they are going to need to do it by spending their money better than they have in the past.

 

We all know that Colvin's spring is not sustainable. But the numbers he put up last year while recovering from TJS were impressive, especially his power numbers. Add his new weight to the equation, and I believe he is a better bet to hit with power than Fukudome.

 

To me, if the coaches, scouts, and management think that he is ready to handle the majors and can put up similar OPS production to Fukudome, I'm all for it.

[Post Count Padder]

I don't see it happening. They won't eat that much salary and wouldn't get enough in return to make it worthwhile.

[CubbieBum]

This discussion reminds me of the "Trade Theriot" discussion earlier. It's fun to speculate, but a team that has hopes of contending isn't going to trade their starting RF (or SS) to make room for an unproven rookie. Once Colvin and Castro prove themselves at the ML level, then Fukudome and Theriot become trade bait.

 

I can't stand this type of crap. They can't prove themselves as long as they can't play. You can't prove yourself to be viable at the MLB level when you only play 1 out of 5 games. I don't prefer to see either prospect starting right now but at some point you have to put them in and see if they sink or swim. I think next year is that year.

[CubbieBum]

Add Kubel and Cuddyer to that list.

 

Ignoring defense, sure. But like Dunn and Hawpe, their defense really hurts their value and, depending on cost, are possibly less valuable than Kosuke.

 

Kubel: .907 OPS; -20 UZR/150

 

Cuddyer: .862 OPS; -10.1 UZR/150

 

Kosuke: .796 OPS; 18.2 UZR/150

(OPS is from 2009; UZR/150 is career as a right fielder)

 

If Kuble can repeat that .907 OPS, then he's definitely on the list. It's nearly 100 points better than he's ever hit before, though. If he drops back to low-.800s, high-.700s like much of his career, Kosuke is better.

 

If I am not mistaken Kubel's lefty vs. righty splits are atrocious. That means Kubel is best sited for splitting the starting duties for a team because when he is batting against the type of pitcher he sucks against he is completely worthless due to his defense. I am not in favor of a bad defensive OF who is worthless against one type of pitcher.

 

I will put in the disclaimer that I have never looked at Dye's nor Giles' splits. Regardless I had forgotten about Nady before so I would just stcik with Colvin for a month. Then when Nady is back if Colvin is struggling go with Nady. Again though this is only if we get to take 9-10 million of the books in a Fukudome trade.

[Rob]

Colvin cannot replace fukudome's production and the nats don't have any upgrades to offer to make it worthwhile (not realistic ones, anyways).

 

I'd consider moving him at the deadline if we are out of it. There are enough options likely to make it to market in the offseason, or Brett Jackson could be knocking on the door early next year. But trading fukudome right now is giving up on the season, which is very premature.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

but at some point you have to put them in and see if they sink or swim.

 

No, you don't. The major-league team does not have a responsibility to give them a chance. The only responsibility the Cubs have is to put the best players on the field.

[Backtobanks]

This discussion reminds me of the "Trade Theriot" discussion earlier. It's fun to speculate, but a team that has hopes of contending isn't going to trade their starting RF (or SS) to make room for an unproven rookie. Once Colvin and Castro prove themselves at the ML level, then Fukudome and Theriot become trade bait.

 

I can't stand this type of crap. They can't prove themselves as long as they can't play. You can't prove yourself to be viable at the MLB level when you only play 1 out of 5 games. I don't prefer to see either prospect starting right now but at some point you have to put them in and see if they sink or swim. I think next year is that year.

 

That's the problem when you are a "contending" team. Next year could very well be that year assuming Colvin and Castro get a decent taste of ML pitching and look like they can handle it.

It could be an interesting year with 2010 results, possible FAs leaving, and the advancement of young prospects (Caridad, Berg, Wallace, Castro, Colvin, Cashner, etc.).

[Outshined_One]

I'd consider moving him at the deadline if we are out of it. There are enough options likely to make it to market in the offseason, or Brett Jackson could be knocking on the door early next year. But trading fukudome right now is giving up on the season, which is very premature.

 

That's pretty much my feeling. I think Fukudome helps this team quite a bit with his OBP and defense. They're not ideal for a RF, but I think there's a steep drop off from Fukudome to Colvin/Nady/Hoffpauir as things stand right now. Even if Colvin manages to become a better hitter than Fukudome OPS-wise, his arm and his range are decided downgrades from Fukudome in RF. I don't think the tradeoff would be worth it right now.

 

Moreover, even if Brett Jackson is banging down the door, there might be a better argument for trading Byrd than trading Fukudome come next offseason. Jackson could be a plus defender in CF, which would mean trading Fukudome and shifting Byrd to RF or just trading Byrd.

[Rob]

I'd consider moving him at the deadline if we are out of it. There are enough options likely to make it to market in the offseason, or Brett Jackson could be knocking on the door early next year. But trading fukudome right now is giving up on the season, which is very premature.

 

That's pretty much my feeling. I think Fukudome helps this team quite a bit with his OBP and defense. They're not ideal for a RF, but I think there's a steep drop off from Fukudome to Colvin/Nady/Hoffpauir as things stand right now. Even if Colvin manages to become a better hitter than Fukudome OPS-wise, his arm and his range are decided downgrades from Fukudome in RF. I don't think the tradeoff would be worth it right now.

 

Moreover, even if Brett Jackson is banging down the door, there might be a better argument for trading Byrd than trading Fukudome come next offseason. Jackson could be a plus defender in CF, which would mean trading Fukudome and shifting Byrd to RF or just trading Byrd.

 

It'll be interesting to see what Hendry does this coming offseason. Lee and Lilly's contracts are running out, and Aramis has that opt-out clause. The only one of the bunch who might nab a substantial pay raise is Lilly, but trading Fukudome may be the only way that Hendry can afford to retain some of those guys... what with all of our heavily backloaded contracts and arbitration raises coming.

[CubbieBum]

but at some point you have to put them in and see if they sink or swim.

 

No, you don't. The major-league team does not have a responsibility to give them a chance. The only responsibility the Cubs have is to put the best players on the field.

 

I'm talking about if you ever want them to fully develop into starters. At some point you are going to have to start them without really knowing what to expect because they never have started before. If you never start them and just want to wait until they hit .350 as a reserve then you may wait forever. I'm not saying now is the time. I have already said next year is the time for Colvin (and likely Castro as well).

 

I agree that the responsibility is to play the best possible players. The best maybe to trade Fukudome in return for some bullpen help and put Colvin in until Nady is back.

[Guest]

but at some point you have to put them in and see if they sink or swim.

 

No, you don't. The major-league team does not have a responsibility to give them a chance. The only responsibility the Cubs have is to put the best players on the field.

If you've got a kid you believe in, at some point you have to give him a shot in order to benefit from his cheap production down the line. Who you play today doesn't only impact today's game. It also sets up what you can do in the future.

[Eric Clipperton]

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.

 

Fukudome is really the only premium defender in the starting lineup, it would be quite a terrible decision to trade him just to dump salary. Last year he was worth his salary even though BABIP/LD% shows bad luck on balls in play.

 

I think that Colvin will quickly be exposed as his ridiculous luck on balls in play in ST (70 AB tells us basically nothing new about a player) cannot last for long, and if he runs a bit unlucky for any period of time people will be screaming that he was rushed and the Cubs messed up another star prospect. Colvin has not done anything to make me believe that he will be more than a 4th/5th OF, and telling him that his lucky performance in ST means anything more than it does is certainly not going to help him when his luck inevitably runs out. Add a few walks and play decent D, then perhaps I would get excited about seeing him on the roster- but until then, hopefully Fuld stays ready for a call-up once the AVG-based hype runs out for Colvin.

[soapy]

Are there really people willing to hand Tyler a starting corner OF spot? Wow.

[davell]

Are there really people willing to hand Tyler a starting corner OF spot? Wow.

 

I wouldn't go that far personally, but since we have Nady as well, I'd look into trading Fukudome if someone was actually willing to eat his contract. It'd certainly take away our depth though, so I doubt we'd entertain anything until mideason or so as it is. Find out what you have in Colvin and see if you can count on Nady to be healthy.

 

This upcoming offseason will be extremely interesting most likely. Although, if we're out of it at the deadline, it wouldn't shock me to see us attempt to deal away Lee, Aramis, and/or Lilly. Even with the NTC's, if they knew we weren't going to re-sign them, they would probably waive the clause at that point, to get dealt to a contender. It'd be a chance for us to get younger at some key positions and I'd think it's at least on the front office's mind......This being said though, I think we'll be in it, so it's probably a moot point.......

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If we dump Fukudome and his contract, what are we going to spend the money on that helps the team more?

[CubbieBum]

If we dump Fukudome and his contract, what are we going to spend the money on that helps the team more?

 

Bullpen.

[Rob]

If we dump Fukudome and his contract, what are we going to spend the money on that helps the team more?

 

Bullpen.

 

who?

[dew1679666265]

If we dump Fukudome and his contract, what are we going to spend the money on that helps the team more?

 

Bullpen.

 

For me to trade Kosuke and rely on a Colvin/Nady duo, it'd have to be a really good reliever (Rafael Soriano, Heath Bell, etc) plus maybe a mid-level prospect or two for me to consider it. Fukudome is far more valuable - especially to us - than relievers.