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« Graziano's Latest: Andruw, Dunn, Fukudome | Main | Rosenthal's Latest: Possible Waiver Deals »
Fukudome To Have Elbow Surgery
According to JapanBall.com, Chunichi Dragons outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will have endoscopic surgery to remove bone fragments from his right elbow this week. The surgery will take place in Los Angeles, perhaps by Dr. Lewis Yocum.
It's a two-month recovery period, and originally there was a concern that the injury would prevent Fukudome accruing the service time needed to reach free agency after the season. However, a new rule will still allow free agency.
In talking to Mike Plugh in May, I learned that Fukudome is a fine right fielder with gap power. Plugh suggested Fukudome might command $12-15MM over three or four years. Fukudome's main competition among free agent right fielders will probably be Jermaine Dye. Whether Bobby Abreu will hit the market this winter is still an open question.
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I hope he'll replace Dye in the White Sox outfield next year. The few things I've read about him indicates he's a mixture of Ichiro and Matsui.
Posted by: TheSchmaranz | August 12, 2007 at 11:30 AM
I hope the Mets take a good look at him and don't shy away just because of Kaz. Both Alou and Green will be gone, leaving two open spots. Milledge is getting one, meaning the third will either be Carlos Gomez or a FA.
Posted by: JerseyMetFan | August 12, 2007 at 12:01 PM
White Sox, Mets, and Royals should have the most interest in Fukudome. I don't think he'll command $13 million a year though. Especially with the season he's having... which is somewhere near .295/.380/.465. Not all that impressive... but none the less... good. Might get $11 million a year at the most.
Posted by: Angels & Demons | August 12, 2007 at 04:25 PM
I guess I was off. .294/.443/.503. I guess with those numbers... $13 million wouldn't surprise me.
Posted by: Angels & Demons | August 12, 2007 at 04:33 PM
Can Fukudome play an OF spot like LF in Camden Yards well? How does he project, and what's his age?
Posted by: Orioles13 | August 12, 2007 at 05:35 PM
He's a solid fielder that will put up maybe 20 HRs and a crap ton of doubles. And he's old.
Posted by: oxfrat1665 | August 12, 2007 at 05:44 PM
Jersey Im not so sure that Alou will be gone. I think his option will be picked up but we will have backup plans for him incase he gets hurt. He is such a good hitter though, and when he is in the lineup they are so much better. Either way, if the Mets sign an outfielder I dont think it is going to be for a 3 or 4 year deal, probably a 1 year stopgap guy if they dont feel Gomez is ready.
Posted by: nrmax88 | August 12, 2007 at 06:41 PM
For the record, Fukudome is 30 years old.
Posted by: achilles17 | August 12, 2007 at 07:09 PM
30 doesn't sound old to me. Sounds more like he's in the midst of his prime. No?
Posted by: no funny hats | August 12, 2007 at 07:16 PM
He'll be 31 and will require a multi-year deal, so take at risk(though with that OBP he fares to translate well to the MLB). I'd like to see him on the White Sox. I think he fits on the Mets better than anywhere else for the 2 hole between Reyes and Beltran, but I think the White Sox need him more. The only problem is that adding Fukudome would make him part of a line up that has up to 6 lefties.
Posted by: buehrlebro | August 12, 2007 at 07:32 PM
Maybe he's not actually that old but he's been around a while. So I guess it seems like he's old.
Posted by: oxfrat1665 | August 12, 2007 at 08:03 PM
Milwaukee will sign Fukudome to replace G Jenkins and YI will finally decide to play for the Bucks as the move doubles Milwaukee's asian population.
Posted by: BeanoCook | August 12, 2007 at 08:22 PM
That's not saying much. Anyway, why would they sign Fukudome? They have an option on Jenkins I believe, plus Mench, and when Jenkins is gone they might just pop Hall to left field for Gwynn which would improve their outfield defense a lot. Still I think Jenkins should stay, at least for another year.
Posted by: buehrlebro | August 12, 2007 at 08:53 PM
Eh I don't know... I absolutely love Alou when he's healthy. The problem is, he can't be relied on. I think the sting of him missing most of the season will resonate with the front office and they won't keep him around. It sucks, but you can't invest that much in such a fragile player.
I do agree that if Gomez isn't starting yet, he isn't far. Signing Fuk u to a 3-4 year deal really pushes Gomez back. Although, he could be a very valuable 4th OFer, as Beltran has proven to be a bit of a soft player. How'd Fuk u's injury history?
Posted by: JerseyMetFan | August 12, 2007 at 09:01 PM
I know the Yanks are scouting him, but I can't see him ever being signed. If we pick up Abreu's option, the outfield is set with Matsui, Damon, Abreu....if not it's Matsui, Cabrera, Damon - either way, the Yankees would have to trade Damon AND decline Abreu's option for Fukudome to be a legitimate option. There's a minor leaguer named Brett Gardner - nevermind Kevin Thompson - who could serve as a fourth outfielder, so you can pretty much count the Yanks out. No doubt they're just scouting to see a player the Sox MIGHT get (although I don't see that happening either).
Posted by: YankeeFan07 | August 12, 2007 at 09:40 PM
I don't think the Cubs fit either, they're tied up with Soriano and Pie as is. Plus then they have Jacque, Murton, Colvin on the way, DeRosa, Patterson...makes no sense to pursue an outfielder for multi years.
Posted by: buehrlebro | August 12, 2007 at 10:04 PM
This guy has mid-market All-Star written all over him.
Posted by: oxfrat1665 | August 12, 2007 at 11:21 PM
I don't know much about him, but comparing his numbers in Japan to Iwamura's, if he hits like Iwamura, $13 million for 4 years is going to be a pretty lousy value.
Posted by: DentalPlan | August 13, 2007 at 05:11 AM