Levine On Fukudome

I'm predicting KW being fired before the AS break, if not before the season. He talked the talk before the off season and just failed, miserably.

I hope he does well. I'm pretty excited about this season.

It's crazy how much people read into who's going after who. I didn't even see the Rangers mentioned as a possible team.

Strike 3 for Williams (hunter, miguel, fukudome), is he out?

I am not a big fan of KW's but it is a bit unfair to grade his offseason performance on Dec 12th. There are still many free agents out there and he does have some trading chips.

Hendry is on quite a roll - I don't always agree with who he goes after but you must admit he usually gets who he wants.

trober,

"The White Sox were not outbid - they offered about the same as the Cubs."

It doesn't sound like its a case of Hendry giving more. It sounds like he just wanted to go to the Cubs...

This guys is awesome. I love it. All I could hear all offseason was:

"getting Kaz Matsui will help the Cubs get Fukudome.."

"There are no Japanese players on the Cubs, this will hurt their chances on Fukudome"

"Chicago has a small Japanese population"

...as if Fukudome was a small child. Instead, he says "I want to be the Cubs 1st Japanese player"

one thing left off and is still a question.... he wants to be a right fielder.. it was mentioned that he would(could) fill center and DeRosa would be in right? are we still looking at the Pie/Fuld option? If the Roberts option comes true he would be 2B and where does that leave DeRosa?

Yeah, if this report is on the money, it's impressive because it kind of shows that he's confident in his skills -he doesn't mind being a first or a trend-setter of sorts. Cubs fans will embrace him for choosing the Cubs too. Pretty cool.

I think Kenny needs to start playing his cards a little closer to the vest. I don't think he's a terrible general manager (I loved the Quentin trade, for instance), but he needs to keep quiet about who he's going after, because there's no percentage in making his intentions known to anyone who's not in the business.

Look at what happened with Fukudome, for example. Do you think Rangers fans are as disappointed as Sox fans today? Probably not, because the vast majority of Rangers fans likely didn't know that the team was making a play for him. Sox fans, on the other hand, have been disappointed several times this off-season, because Kenny won't shut up about who he wants, no matter how unrealistic these prospective acquisitions may be. I mean, sure he wanted Miguel Cabrera ... who wouldn't? But why tell your fan base that you're making a play for him when you clearly don't have the prospects to get the deal done? There's no upside.

It looks like the Sox may have to swallow their pride and give Rowand five years. If they choose to go this route, that's gonna be one expensive, mediocre team.

I am reluctant to believe Roberts will be traded now that Tejada was traded to the Astros. A six for one deal, loaded with prospects for the O's. It all depends on what McPhail has planned for Baltimore. Depending on how these prospects pan out, if the Cubs get Roberts and the O's get Colvin, Gallagher, Veal....they may be looking good in a few years.

"I'm predicting KW being fired before the AS break, if not before the season. He talked the talk before the off season and just failed, miserably."

As a Cub fan looking in, I doubt Kenny will be fired. We all know Jerry is loyal to his GMs. I agree he talks too much.

No, he meant all 3. I think you replace Veal with Patterson and the deal is done.

Replace Colvin with Patterson...I think MacPhail was behind the glut of average middle infielder acquistions that the Cubs went through. But I don't see Roberts going for 3 players.

I know we've talked about it a lot, but I don't think Colvin is in that trade. Never saw his name in print, I don't think...we just substituted him for prospect for lack of a better deal. For some reason I don't think they're ready to part with him just yet.

And yes, I do realize the irony that I speak of as we discuss the Cubs acquiring another middle infielder...

Torii,

Fuld/Pie in CF. Both those guys need more time to develop, but create a nice little platoon if you look at the splits and disregard sample size while trying to translate minor league stats...phew.

Colvin had his first year in pro ball last year. He needs time to develop anyway. He's atleast 3 years away (maybe 2.5) from getting a call up. He'll be about ready by the time K-Fuk is nearing the end of his contract.

The Cubs aren't in on Bedard.

I've heard/read that E-Pat is considered the better athlete. I think even Corey admitted Eric was faster...

soxwin,
you are a glutton for punishment, arent you?

Aw, too bad Fukudome. You're going to hate the United States after you find out what hell that organization and their fanbase is.

I can't wait to hear about the first report of Cubs fans calling him a chink.

It was brought up because someone mentioned giving up 3 prospects for Roberts was too much and I said if they wanted a shot at Roberts or they got in the Bedard sweepstakes it will take 3 or possibly more.

haha, tsizzle is jealous

"Well its not too hard when you are owned by a corporation and have a seemingly unlimited payroll. Anyone can throw money at players and sign them."

hahahahahah!!!

Cubs payroll in 07 - 99 mil
Sox payroll in 07 - 108 mil!!!!

You need to figure some sh*t out!

I love this as a Cubs fan, knowing that he essentially chose the Cubs over other teams based on the organization itself, not money.

He wanted to be the first Japanese player to play for the Cubs.....what a basis to brag about! Not because he wants to break the curse, not because he loves management, but only because he wants to be the Cubs 1st Japanese player. I don't get the bashing on the Sox right now....KW hasn't done squat so far....but I don't see rings being put on the Cubs finger either.

Take this for what it's worth, but Hendry was on ESPN1000 today and stated teams ask about the availability of Sean Gallagher the most. I think the Orioles would be doing good for their organization to get Roberts with Gallagher as the centerpiece of a trade. The Cubs won't need to add Colvin to that deal, though I don't think Colvin is going to be that good of a player.

Look, I know a lot of Cubs fans on this site overvalue a lot of the Cubs young players, but Gallagher is really undervalued on here and Hendry's comments about team's inquiring about Gallagher got me really looking at his MinL numbers. He has a very high K rate, has only given up 24 Homeruns and 387 hits in 451 innings. Thats very very good. The guy is not easy to hit. The only thing I can see him improving on is his walk rate, which isn't horrendous. The guy will be entering his age 22 season and could step into a rotation right away.

Roberts for Gallagher/Murton and I think it's a deal. I'd throw in Eric Patterson too if they want, I don't see a future in Chicago with him.