Fukudome not terrible??

[lumafia]

Patience and getting on base has always been a huge part of Fukudome's approach so your theory makes no sense in this situation, plus his .456 SLG in 2010, let alone 413 MLB career, would hardly be out of place at the top of the order.

 

His slugging has improved every year, which tells me that he has started to figure things out, and is better than his career .413 slugging in MLB. His .456 is good for 3rd on the current team among regulars, and would be good enough next year to be in the top 5 on the team. Not only that, but he is one of a few guys on the team over the last 3 years who consistently hits well with men on base. Just because getting on base is a stength, doesn't mean you automatically are providing the best production for your team by hitting in the leadoff spot.

 

I don't think he would be out of place there, but I do "think" he would be more comfortable down in the order and would be more valuable to his team based on his slugging and success with men on base (.842 OPS) and runners in scoring position (.865 OPS).

[jersey cubs fan]

Patience and getting on base has always been a huge part of Fukudome's approach so your theory makes no sense in this situation, plus his .456 SLG in 2010, let alone 413 MLB career, would hardly be out of place at the top of the order.

 

His slugging has improved every year, which tells me that he has started to figure things out, and is better than his career .413 slugging in MLB. His .456 is good for 3rd on the current team among regulars, and would be good enough next year to be in the top 5 on the team. Not only that, but he is one of a few guys on the team over the last 3 years who consistently hits well with men on base. Just because getting on base is a stength, doesn't mean you automatically are providing the best production for your team by hitting in the leadoff spot.

 

I don't think he would be out of place there, but I do "think" he would be more comfortable down in the order and would be more valuable to his team based on his slugging and success with men on base (.842 OPS) and runners in scoring position (.865 OPS).

 

That is terrible terrible terrible reasoning.

[dew1679666265]

His slugging has improved every year, which tells me that he has started to figure things out, and is better than his career .413 slugging in MLB. His .456 is good for 3rd on the current team among regulars, and would be good enough next year to be in the top 5 on the team. Not only that, but he is one of a few guys on the team over the last 3 years who consistently hits well with men on base. Just because getting on base is a stength, doesn't mean you automatically are providing the best production for your team by hitting in the leadoff spot.

 

I don't think he would be out of place there, but I do "think" he would be more comfortable down in the order and would be more valuable to his team based on his slugging and success with men on base (.842 OPS) and runners in scoring position (.865 OPS).

 

The point is, Kosuke wouldn't have to change his approach by moving to the top of the order. He already is a patient, selective hitter so he wouldn't have to change anything by hitting leadoff.

 

As for his slugging improving, is it because of an approach change or is he just a really good hitter who's figuring out MLB pitching? His OBP has steadily increased as well in his three seasons, leading me to think he's simply a really good hitter who's adjusting to ML pitching now.

[Little Slide Rooter]

.281/.386/.468/.854 looks like the line of a guy who wants his fulltime starting job back. Question is, if he can maintain this through the end of the season, is he more valuable as our 2011 right fielder or a sell high candidate? They could do him like they did Jacque Jones after a hot 2nd half of 2007 and ship him off for nothing, a nothing that became an all star for the Braves after we traded him for more nothing. Edited September 2, 2010 by Little Slide Rooter

[17 Seconds]

Patience and getting on base has always been a huge part of Fukudome's approach so your theory makes no sense in this situation, plus his .456 SLG in 2010, let alone 413 MLB career, would hardly be out of place at the top of the order.

 

His slugging has improved every year, which tells me that he has started to figure things out, and is better than his career .413 slugging in MLB. His .456 is good for 3rd on the current team among regulars, and would be good enough next year to be in the top 5 on the team. Not only that, but he is one of a few guys on the team over the last 3 years who consistently hits well with men on base. Just because getting on base is a stength, doesn't mean you automatically are providing the best production for your team by hitting in the leadoff spot.

 

I don't think he would be out of place there, but I do "think" he would be more comfortable down in the order and would be more valuable to his team based on his slugging and success with men on base (.842 OPS) and runners in scoring position (.865 OPS).

 

That is terrible terrible terrible reasoning.

 

i don't think it even qualifies as reasoning

[Sammy Sofa]

.281/.386/.468/.854 looks like the line of a guy who wants his fulltime starting job back. Question is, if he can maintain this through the end of the season, is he more valuable as our 2011 right fielder or a sell high candidate? They could do him like they did Jacque Jones after a hot 2nd half of 2007 and ship him off for nothing, a nothing that became an all star for the Braves after we traded him for more nothing.

 

Unless someone just blows the Cubs away with an offer for him, he's obviously more valuable to the Cubs actually as a Cub and starting next year.

[XZero771679666304]

.281/.386/.468/.854 looks like the line of a guy who wants his fulltime starting job back. Question is, if he can maintain this through the end of the season, is he more valuable as our 2011 right fielder or a sell high candidate? They could do him like they did Jacque Jones after a hot 2nd half of 2007 and ship him off for nothing, a nothing that became an all star for the Braves after we traded him for more nothing.

 

Unless someone just blows the Cubs away with an offer for him, he's obviously more valuable to the Cubs actually as a Cub and starting next year.

 

Yeah, unless a team wants to take on all of his salary or give a really good return, I'd just as soon keep him. If he manages to reduce the length and severity of his inexplicable slumps, he's pretty valuable. When he's good, he's really good.

 

It's too bad there isn't a RH platoon partner for him.

[JeffH]

.281/.386/.468/.854 looks like the line of a guy who wants his fulltime starting job back. Question is, if he can maintain this through the end of the season, is he more valuable as our 2011 right fielder or a sell high candidate? They could do him like they did Jacque Jones after a hot 2nd half of 2007 and ship him off for nothing, a nothing that became an all star for the Braves after we traded him for more nothing.

 

Unless someone just blows the Cubs away with an offer for him, he's obviously more valuable to the Cubs actually as a Cub and starting next year.

 

Yeah, unless a team wants to take on all of his salary or give a really good return, I'd just as soon keep him. If he manages to reduce the length and severity of his inexplicable slumps, he's pretty valuable. When he's good, he's really good.

 

It's too bad there isn't a RH platoon partner for him.

 

Jeff Baker says hi.

[fromthestretch]

 

It's too bad there isn't a RH platoon partner for him.

 

Jeff Baker says hi.

 

He's certainly hitting lefties well, but I had no idea just how bad he's been against right-handers.

 

.069/.129/.069 for a whopping .198 OPS in 62 plate appearances

 

That's ridiculously bad.

[Guest]

Fukudome leads all Cubs outfielders in OPS. And he did that last season too. But by all means, trade him for pennies on the dollar.

[soapy]

But...FUKUCOPTER!

[Z38Cubs]

Fukudome is like the 3rd most hated Cub among the meathead/sports radio guys in the city. I think only Soriano and Ramirez get more flack. He also has an unwarranted reputation for sucking after May, although I believe his best month last year was August, and this year he has been absolutely torrid since the all star break. I really hope we don't do anything stupid with this guy, because he might just be our 2nd or 3rd most valuable hitter next year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Fukudome is like the 3rd most hated Cub among the meathead/sports radio guys in the city. I think only Soriano and Ramirez get more flack. He also has an unwarranted reputation for sucking after May, although I believe his best month last year was August, and this year he has been absolutely torrid since the all star break. I really hope we don't do anything stupid with this guy, because he might just be our 2nd or 3rd most valuable hitter next year.

 

Kosukes a great guy to have at the 6 or 7 spot, or even 1 or 2, but if we expect him to be our 2nd or 3rd best hitter next year, were in trouble.

[SouthSideRyan]

Fukudome is like the 3rd most hated Cub among the meathead/sports radio guys in the city. I think only Soriano and Ramirez get more flack. He also has an unwarranted reputation for sucking after May, although I believe his best month last year was August, and this year he has been absolutely torrid since the all star break. I really hope we don't do anything stupid with this guy, because he might just be our 2nd or 3rd most valuable hitter next year.

 

Kosukes a great guy to have at the 6 or 7 spot, or even 1 or 2, but if we expect him to be our 2nd or 3rd best hitter next year, were in trouble.

 

Kosuke would be the 2nd or 3rd best hitter on half of this year's playoff teams

[Little Slide Rooter]

Fukudome is like the 3rd most hated Cub among the meathead/sports radio guys in the city. I think only Soriano and Ramirez get more flack. He also has an unwarranted reputation for sucking after May, although I believe his best month last year was August, and this year he has been absolutely torrid since the all star break. I really hope we don't do anything stupid with this guy, because he might just be our 2nd or 3rd most valuable hitter next year.

 

Kosukes a great guy to have at the 6 or 7 spot, or even 1 or 2, but if we expect him to be our 2nd or 3rd best hitter next year, were in trouble.

 

Kosuke would be the 2nd or 3rd best hitter on half of this year's playoff teams

 

Ill give you the Padres, but if we had and elite hitter like Adrian Gonzalez as your best hitter, we could afford to have Kosuke as your 2nd or 3rd best hitter. Still, I guess I should have been clearer. It wasnt a knock on Kosuke, but if he is our 2nd or 3rd best guy, it suggests that Aramis skipped town and we didnt replace him or improve at 1st base either, probably making Soto our best hitter with Castro and Kosuke as 2nd and 3rd, aside from Sorianos hot streaks.

 

I can see it now:

 

2B DeWitt

SS Castro

RF Kosuke

C Soto

CF Byrd

LF Soriano

1B Colvin

3B Baker

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

He's the most underrated player on the team. Solid all around player who knows how to last...plus there's still upside.

 

Trade Byrd, keep Kosuke unless a good offer is actually made.

[jersey cubs fan]

He's the most underrated player on the team. Solid all around player who knows how to last...plus there's still upside.

 

Trade Byrd, keep Kosuke unless a good offer is actually made.

 

I don't know about upside, unless you're talking about bringing up his MLB career averages. I'm pretty sure he's at his MLB best right now, which is quite good of course. But I don't see it getting much better.

 

I do like the idea of dealing Marlon, he seems to be an asset about as high as it can get while justifying a trade.

[javy knows my name]

I'll never understand the casual/uninformed sports fan's hate for Kosuke. He has a funny name, he plays great defense, he hustles and he maintains a high BA. He's a David Eckstein/Aaron Miles lover's wet dream. Only he's good

 

EDIT: He is an amateur scout's favorite whipping boy, though. I can't tell you how many times I've heard some [expletive] say he pulls away from the ball or some [expletive]. Dude closes his stance as quickly as anyone in the majors. Even if they were right (and they're not), it wouldn't matter at all.

[KingCubsFan]

...he maintains a high BA. .

He really doesn't though, and that's probably why casual fans may not like him.

[Guest]

Casual fans hate Kosuke because he was billed as being awesome and he's merely good, and he looks stupid when he strikes out.

[sneakypower]

i'm a big KF fan, but i think it also has to be considered that he's been shielded from quite a few of the better lefties we've faced this year

[CubColtPacer]

I'll never understand the casual/uninformed sports fan's hate for Kosuke. He has a funny name, he plays great defense, he hustles and he maintains a high BA. He's a David Eckstein/Aaron Miles lover's wet dream. Only he's good

 

EDIT: He is an amateur scout's favorite whipping boy, though. I can't tell you how many times I've heard some [expletive] say he pulls away from the ball or some [expletive]. Dude closes his stance as quickly as anyone in the majors. Even if they were right (and they're not), it wouldn't matter at all.

 

I think it's pretty easy to see why Kosuke is hated.

 

1) In 2008 when most fans were paying more attention then they have the last two years, Fukudome had a huge collapse for an entire half of the year. That also being his first season made a really bad first impression.

 

2) People believe corner OF's should hit 20-25 home runs and Kosuke doesn't hit nearly that many.

 

3) Kosuke his first two yeas did not maintain a high BA. His BA was below league average both overall and for RF's.

 

4) Kosuke has an unusual swing that leads him to look worse than he actually is overall.

 

5) The huge contract (and the fact that fans never saw his production beforehand that led to that contract) doesn't help.

 

6) Kosuke is extremely streaky and people aren't big fans of streaky players in general.

 

The hustling and defense doesn't matter so much for a high contract player where people are looking for production.

 

People want a high average high power guy in a corner OF. They don't care as much about defense or walks in that position and those are the two things Fukudome provides. That combined with his struggles at bad times and his unusual swing and it's easy to see why he's so underappreciated.

[KaiserCesar]

Could we attribute the recent uptick in performance partially to having time off due to Colvin's playing time? There's a lot of focus on who will be the starting 3 outfielders, but aside from injury protection, I think having 4 outfielders who can produce could help increase the production of everybody.

[muntjack]

it suggests that Aramis skipped town and we didnt replace him or improve at 1st base either, probably making Soto our best hitter with Castro and Kosuke as 2nd and 3rd, aside from Sorianos hot streaks.

 

 

 

Soto is already our best hitter.

 

He's the most underrated player on the team.

 

Soto. Though Fuku is close.

 

 

If you use wOBA to determine production at the plate (and there's no reason you shouldn't) Geovany Soto has been the 13th best hitter in baseball (min 330 PA). And he hits 8th on one of the worst teams in the league.

[jersey cubs fan]

Could we attribute the recent uptick in performance partially to having time off due to Colvin's playing time? There's a lot of focus on who will be the starting 3 outfielders, but aside from injury protection, I think having 4 outfielders who can produce could help increase the production of everybody.

 

I think platooning has played a part, but I wouldn't attribute it all to that. He's done this before. He's produced great late in the season despite ignorance of that fact that pervades the general consensus. I also think 4 has and can work. None of these guys are 162 game irreplacables.