Kosuke Fukudome Rumors

Cubs Rumors: Harden, Grabow, Zambrano

It's not all about Milton Bradley. Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune has some more Cubs rumors as the GM Meetings continue... Free agent Rich Harden wants to return to the Cubs. His agent is likely to meet with Cubs GM Jim Hendry soon. The Cubs are expected to sign lefty reliever John Grabow to a two-year deal with an option for 2012. Agent Barry Praver says there's been no talk of waiving Carlos Zambrano's no-trade clause. The Cubs are likely to move Kosuke Fukudome to right, so they will be looking for a center fielder.   Continue Reading

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Discussion: Cubs Leadoff Hitter

According to Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun Times, Alfonso Soriano's days leading off firmly in the rearview, says Lou Pineilla. Who can fill his shoes? Ginnetti quotes Pineilla: "It depends on what the club does over the winter,'' Piniella said of the leadoff role. ''I like [Kosuke] Fukudome at the top of the order, but I don't know about leadoff. He and [Ryan] Theriot are our best options the way we are now. "But if we got someone who is capable of stealing 30 or 40 bases in the mix, that would change things. If you look at our...   Continue Reading

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Mariners Showed Interest In Fukudome?

According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune: A major-league source said teams approached the Cubs about trading for Kosuke Fukudome, although only in trades where GM Jim Hendry would have had to take back bad contracts. The Mariners, shopping pitchers Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard and catcher Kenji Johjima, are believed to have been among them. It seems that these conversations were in the offseason and are not active. Fukudome has $38MM coming for 2009-11. Johjima will receive $24MM over the same time period, while the pitchers are signed only for '09.   Continue Reading

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Cubs Eyeing Kadokura, Noguchi

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs are eyeing Japanese pitchers Ken Kadokura (righty) and Shigeki Noguchi (lefty) for bullpen roles. Sullivan says both were released by the Yomiuri Giants, and part of the Cubs' motivation may be to make Kosuke Fukudome feel more comfortable.   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro, Sabathia, Peavy

A look at what is being written about the hot stove in the Blogosphere... Fire Brand of the American League looks at the ramifications of the Coco Crisp trade and what could happen if the Red Sox acquire Mark Teixeira and are unable to move Mike Lowell. Baseball Opinion says the Crisp deal leaves the Royals with a crowded outfield and a depleted bullpen and wonders if Mark Teahen or David DeJesus will be the next to go. Nationals Pride sees the Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham trade as a good start towards building a team with a core of...   Continue Reading

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The Fukudome Situation

Cubs right fielder Kosuke Fukudome did a respectable job over the season's first three months, hitting .296/.404/.430. However, he plummeted to just .207/.297/.313 thereafter. His defense was acceptable - four bases saved compared to the average right fielder. The Cubs have decided to platoon Fukudome with Reed Johnson in center field, where the bar for offense is lower (though Fukudome actually hit lefties better than righties this year). Jim Hendry says he informed Fukudome that the Cubs might add an outfielder this winter. According to the Chicago Tribune's Dave van Dyck, the Cubs received multiple trade inquiries on Fukudome. Problem...   Continue Reading

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Cafardo's Latest: Contract Swap Meet

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo wonders: "I never really understood why there aren't more "swap meet" type deals in baseball. As in, 'You take what I can't use and I'll take what you can't use.'" It's a valid question if you believe a change of scenery can help a player and yet these deals rarely happen. Cafardo then goes on to list all of the players he considers "overpriced, underperforming, too old, or not useful to their present teams." Here's the list: Table 1, starting pitchers: Barry Zito (Giants); Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson (Tigers); Adam Eaton (Phillies); Carlos Silva,...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Rumors: Fukudome, Dempster, Wood

Let's check in on the Cubs' offseason plans. Cubs manager Lou Piniella says the Cubs will move Kosuke Fukudome to center field to platoon with Reed Johnson. This move implies Jim Edmonds won't be back. Technically Edmonds could play right field, but he also needs a platoon partner. The Cubs figure to be in the market for a lefthanded hitting right fielder. Piniella expects the team to fill their holes via trade. Brian Giles, Randy Winn, and Jeremy Hermida could fit the bill. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reminds fans that Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee have no-trade clauses,...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Rumors: Hendry, Payroll, Ibanez, Roberts

Let's talk Cubs. First things first - the Cubs need to lock in their GM. ESPN's Buster Olney says the Cubs are currently trying to convince Jim Hendry not to opt out of his contract in December. Olney expects a new long-term agreement. Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago-Sun Times talked to Cubs CEO Crane Kenney, who anticipates another payroll bump despite ownership uncertainty. Maybe the $140MM range? Lot of talk about the Cubs adding a left-handed hitter for balance, with Kosuke Fukudome looking like a failure. Names suggested by Olney, Wittenmeyer, and Andy Dolan of Desipio.com: Raul Ibanez, Bobby Abreu,...   Continue Reading

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Fukudome Is Just A Rookie

While Japanese players are eligible for Rookie of the Year honors, they often come with much higher expectations than rookies. As evidence, scapegoat-du-jour Kosuke Fukudome has 3 years, $38MM left on his contract. That is a large commitment to a first year player who struggled more like a traditional rookie than delivering like a high-profile Japanese import. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says what to do with Fukudome is at the top of the Cubs offseason to do list. Says Rogers, "According to scouts, Fukudome would have no value if Hendry tried to shop him. He isn't going to...   Continue Reading

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