Kosuke Fukudome Rumors

Odds and Ends: White Sox, Mackowiak, Garcia, Rays

A gathering of Sunday afternoon links... From the What Might've Been File - Phil Rogers reminds us that the White Sox offered more than the Cubs did for Kosuke Fukudome. The White Sox seem content with the current roster. River Ave. Blues doesn't expect Brian Cashman and the Yankees to pursue an impact player at the trade deadline. The Reds signed Rob Mackowiak to a minor league deal. Free agent Freddy Garcia is looking to sign before the trade deadline. Garcia says he feels like he has a new shoulder. For the first time in their history, the Rays will...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Burrell, Pedro, Fukudome

Today's link collection. Jon Heyman notes that Pat Burrell only wanted to go to the Yankees or Red Sox when the Phillies tried to trade him a few years ago. They're not great fits, but perhaps Burrell will have those two clubs at the top of his list when he hits free agency. Ross Newhan looks at the Dodgers' trade of Pedro Martinez for Delino DeShields. He rates it the worst in franchise history. He also names the Brad Penny acquisition as the fourth-worst. Josh Kalk takes a look at Kosuke Fukudome's hot start for RotoAuthority. The Dodgers and Juan...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Garland, Linden, A-Rod

Time to round up various tidbits and rumors. Jon Garland says that unless his agent kept him in the dark, a long-term deal was never discussed with the White Sox. But in the unlikely event the Sox pursue Garland this winter, he'll listen. Here's a look others who will be free agents after this season and under 30 years old for '09. We've heard the Brandon Inge/Joe Crede rumors regarding the Dodgers. Tony Jackson speculates that Wes Helms or Jeff Cirillo could also be options. Paul Sullivan says Aaron Rowand was the Cubs' Plan B to Kosuke Fukudome. ShysterBall can't...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Eyeing Coco

Last Sunday, I discussed how either Chicago ballclub were good suitors for Coco Crisp. Today, Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun Times is reporting the Cubs interest do indeed lie with the web gem specialist, Crisp. "With only one other lefty bat in the lineup (right fielder Kosuke Fukudome), the Cubs hoped to get a secondary lefty near the bottom of the order while assuring a good glove in center from their top two near-ready outfield prospects. While Hendry's attempt to trade for Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd was meant to provide a right-handed complement to the center-field winner, the focus...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest

Hey everybody, I'm back from my trip. I hope you enjoyed the posts from Tom and Jeff in the meantime. California was actually colder than Chicago is right now, go figure. Jayson Stark had a new column up at ESPN.com yesterday; let's dissect the trade rumors. Stark quotes scouts doubting whether Miguel Tejada's power will ever return. Over the last year and a half or so, the Orioles had all sorts of young players they could've acquired for Tejada. Names like Felix Pie, Rich Hill, Brandon McCarthy, Ryan Sweeney, Ervin Santana, Erick Aybar have surfaced before. Tejada earns $12MM this..   Continue Reading

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Cubs Trade Speculation

What are those crazy Cubs up to now? They've got some surprising plans regarding their pitching staff. Here's the rundown: Ryan Dempster may switch back to starting, after he mentors the future closer. Dempster made six starts for the Cubs to begin 2005, four of which were quality efforts. Apparently the Cubs think his repertoire is better suited as a starter. He's due $10.5MM for 2007-08, and if he can emerge as a quality #4 type starter the contract won't look so bad. Dempster's best season came in 2000 with the Marlins, when he made the All-Star team and won..   Continue Reading

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Mike Plugh On Kosuke Fukudome

Mike Plugh is a Japanese baseball guru, and he's writing quite a bit these days. I first caught on to his reading with the Matsuzaka Watch. He also has a Yankees blog called Canyon of Heroes, and has been featured at Baseball Prospectus regularly. Following my April 29th post on Japanese right fielder Kosuke Fukudome, I asked Mike whether he thought Fukudome could play third base or center field capably. Not only did Mike answer that question, but he gave some interesting background on Fukudome in general. His thoughts are below. On which positions Fukudome could play: Fukudome would be..   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Eyeing Kosuke Fukudome?

Kosume Fukudome is a 30 year-old outfielder currently playing for the Chunichi Dragons. Mike Plugh praises his doubles power and has described him as an on-base machine with a rifle arm on defense. He may compare to Hideki Matsui in some ways. Should Fukudome come over to the Majors after this season, it won't involve the posting process. He'll be a free agent. According to injury guru and occasional rumormonger Will Carroll (subscription required), the Red Sox already have their eye on Fukudome. Carroll doesn't expect the Sox to acquire a long-term outfielder like Rocco Baldelli this summer because of..   Continue Reading

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