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« Carlos Silva Wants Four Years | Main | Odds and Ends: Abreu, Beckett, Helton, Schilling »
Giants Interested In Kosuke Fukudome
According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants are "seriously interested" in Kosuke Fukudome. The Padres will be in on him as well. Shea picked up this chatter from Japanese media at the World Series.
McCovey Chronicles is cautiously intrigued, but only around a 3/24 level. Mike Plugh has speculated that Fukudome could cost $12-15MM over three or four years, but that was written in May. Fukudome saw his power production decline and finished the year with elbow surgery. Still, .294/.443/.520 is a great baseline even if it translates to 15 HR power.
This isn't the first time the Giants have been linked to Fukudome. Susan Slusser mentioned the possibility in early September. Other teams said to be in the mix: the Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, White Sox, and Padres. I'm sure that list will continue to grow. Perhaps the Yanks will exit the picture since they plan to exercise Bobby Abreu's option.
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At least on surface, this seems like a good match. Giants have a bit extra money to spend this year after getting out of Morris and Bonds contracts, and Fukudome is arguably one of the better FA position players out there. SF has good Asian population and seems like a good fit.
8 million seems a bit low though, I think he's going to cost Matsui kind of money, 10-12 at least. I get the feeling that he's pretty much what Abreu is offensively, near .300 average, 40 2B/15 HR kind of power with good plate awareness. Probably better fielder but less speed.
Posted by: zs190 | October 26, 2007 at 01:30 PM
It says the Red Sox are in the Mix, and I dont see why anyone would think that. With Ellsbury comingup, and already having Crisp, and 35mil between Drew and Manny i see know reason the Sox even ask about him
Posted by: bosox904 | October 26, 2007 at 01:32 PM
This does seem like it would make sense.
But I agree that'd be a low offer.
Posted by: djskilbr | October 26, 2007 at 01:36 PM
Fukudome isn't old enough for the Giants. They'll make a move for him after his up coming contract is up.
Posted by: Ripwa | October 26, 2007 at 01:37 PM
yeah, id take the red sox off that list, just logically. id put the mets on tho. i think theres at least a chance that they trade lastings millege for a big time starting pitcher and are looking for a right fielder. i dont know if the kaz matsui situation soured them on japanese position players tho.
Posted by: anthoneytheghost | October 26, 2007 at 01:37 PM
$10-$12m/year seems awfully steep for a guy who hasn't hit major league pitching before.
Japanese players are really a crap shoot. Some have turned out incredibly well while others have been total busts.
The Giants just don't seem to be in a position to take a huge risk on a player like this.
Posted by: bjsguess | October 26, 2007 at 02:17 PM
The Giants actually have 45-50 million to spend this season. Adding Fukudome 4/40 and either Lowell 3/30 or Hunter 5/75 would have an immediate impact on the offense. Now we just need to figure out how to get rid of Ray Durham!!
Posted by: zito4cyyoung | October 26, 2007 at 03:03 PM
If the Giants get Fukudome at under 10/yr, I'll be mad at the Padres for letting him get away. We can't depend on Milton Bradley and Adrian Gonzalez for all of our offense; Fukudome would be a great addition to the lineup and our defense, and he fits neatly in to our budget.
Posted by: AkulaMkii | October 26, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Good luck with getting rid of Durham, Giants fans. Maybe if they eat most of his contract and somebody else's second baseman goes down in winter ball after all the free agents (Iguchi, Matsui, Loretta, Castillo, et al) are gone it could happen. But remember, Dittlefield isn't around anymore to take your egregious contracts like he did with Matt Morris.
As for Fukudome, I think he'll be a solid guy in the US. That Abreu comparison seems valid as far as the power and average go, ditto less speed and better defense (though we'll see how his elbow holds up in terms of throwing). I was trying to think of some other teams that could use a good corner OF and have money to spend, and the Orioles, Rangers (if they can't get a CF), and Cardinals (if Encarnacion can't come back) spring to mind. Anyone else think there would be another team (or teams) that could get involved?
Posted by: CJax33 | October 26, 2007 at 09:23 PM
"The Giants actually have 45-50 million to spend this season. Adding Fukudome 4/40 and either Lowell 3/30 or Hunter 5/75 would have an immediate impact on the offense. Now we just need to figure out how to get rid of Ray Durham!!"
Yeah it would have an immediate impact. They would move up to 4th in the standings in 08.
Posted by: nrmax88 | October 27, 2007 at 12:26 PM
nrmax88 you must be a dodger fan....
dodger fans = no knowledge of baseball
Posted by: zito4cyyoung | October 27, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Pointing out how awful a franchise the Giants are definitely makes everyone a Dodgers fan it makes sense.
Zito didn't deserve his first Cy Young, let alone ever winning another one.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | October 27, 2007 at 02:25 PM
"nrmax88 you must be a dodger fan....
dodger fans = no knowledge of baseball"
Apparently the ZiPS Projection is a Dodger fan too: http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/2008_zips_projections_san_francisco_giants/
How about
Giants = worst team in NL right now
Posted by: JitteryMcFrog | October 27, 2007 at 02:39 PM
"nrmax88 you must be a dodger fan....
dodger fans = no knowledge of baseball"
Apparently the ZiPS Projection is a Dodger fan too: http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/2008_zips_projections_san_francisco_giants/
How about
Giants = worst team in NL right now
Posted by: JitteryMcFrog | October 27, 2007 at 02:40 PM
That should say "worst team in NL *West* right now"
Posted by: JitteryMcFrog | October 27, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Dry your eyes guys....geez!
The post was in response to a very unwitty post with no facts to back it up.
Adding Fukudome/Lowell/Torii Hunter would make ANY team better. Mix that with the Giants starting pitching which is one of the best in ALL baseball, that would easily make the Giants contenders.
Sorry if this was too far over your head. Next time bring some FACTS instead of the "Nuh-Uh" defense.
Posted by: zito4cyyoung | October 27, 2007 at 04:49 PM
BTW -
Zips is rediculous. They took this years team and call it next years...
Bonds/Klesko/Vizquel/Feliz aren't on the team anymore. Vizquel may be resigned, but is still top 3 defensively in the league. We won't be able to predict until after FA and the winter meetings...
Posted by: zito4cyyoung | October 27, 2007 at 06:24 PM