I love listening to the scouting reports of this guy, because almost nobody in this country has seen him play. Yet he's being hailed as a major coup.
And maybe he is. Several players from Japan have made big impacts in the majors, so there is reason to believe Fukudome is as good as advertised.
I think he will be. I know he had surgery and missed quite a few games last season, but that's not expected to slow him down.
Most commentators wont even attempt to say his name...let alone know anything about him. You know the most Ive heard so far!!
Not sure but what do the Cubs do if they have an opportunity next year to pick up a stud named "John Dome"...do they make this guy change the name on the back of his jersey?
Romo - Michell report due out tomorrow...shall we have a contest on who can name the most players in there (supposedly 60-80 names)?
also..wasnt his name a line in "Full Metal Jacket" too?
Can anyone really say? Who has seen him play outside of scouts? I will say that I'm glad that there is some attention being given to acquiring fundamentally sound players. It's usually been an afterthought in the Hendry era.
I'm just hoping there isn't a metric conversion for his stats in the Japanese League to the MLB. Does a .330 batter in Japan convert to a .240 hitter here (against better pitching)? Do 30+ HRs in Japan = more or less than 15 HRs in the MLB?
I guess we'll find out.
At least he shouldn't be a defensive liability.
Hopefully we have the next Ichiro with more power.
Thats too much Typing...Tommy
It will be worth it not to have to watch Jacque Jones beat the ball into the dirt in front of the mound every time he was at bat. Be nice to have someone that can hit it out of the infield once in awhile and isn't a liability when on base.
If he can throw the ball to the cutoff man more than once or twice a season it will also be an improvement. I just hope they don't start eating sushi in the bleachers, don't want people snacking on the ivy out there.
I'll miss J.J., but hope the F man is a smash hit and that Pie or Pagan can handle center. I have some questions about his power numbers, but the RBI's look good. I'm not sure about batting him fourth or fifth though. What about Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano, all with better power numbers?
I've heard people trying to come up with a nickname for Fukudome. With his last name (a sports anchor's nightmare) and the reports that he has power, how about F-Bomb.
Let's hope it works out and that he hits not just for power, but in the clutch. Lou should bat him in the 6th or 7th spot to start out and keep the pressure off him. Let him get familiar with the pitchers and move him up the order as he begins to produce. Still, I got to wonder about the Cubs bullpen. I don't see a real closer yet, unless they keep Dempster in the pen -- and he can be a nightmare on managers. Kerry Wood? I just don't see him lasting a whole season as the "go to" closer.
He's gonna love Wrigley in April.
4 years $50M? That's Rowand money.
So why not get Rowand? CF is a way bigger need for the Cubs right now. Pie won't cut it unless he really breaks out this year, something that has like a 15% chance of happening or so. Not good on a win-now roster.
Man, if he can do acupuncture on Prior's shoulder...wow
Mad Max's Fukudome in right field...he hits a home run...we throw rice at each other
We need Pie heads (ie..like the cheeseheads..I get Rhubarb)
and grills...that look like Soriano's teeth...
If Pie Fukudome....haha Pie Sorianoooo
Man, If I get up...you'll all get up, huh?...It'll be anarchy..
Just point at me when Security comes...it's a dream of mine to outrun the Frain boys..
Wrigley is gonna be fun this year..
Go Cubbies!!!
How do you pronounce "Fukudome" anyway? Surely it's not how it looks. And if it is, it won't be that way on TV. I just heard a guy on SportsCenter say "Foo-Koo-Doh-May." That can't be right.
Kenny - do something to make me feel better...
Pitching, Pitching, Relief Pitching. We have offense, we have defense but no pitching. All the power means nothing if you can't hold leads.
Ya Ya Ya> Heard the same thing about JJ and he's gone now
I saw Ichiro play in Seattle last season. I was impressed with how he could put the ball in play. I remeber saying how good it would be to see players more like him. I'm not saying that Fukudome is the same caliber player, but having a hitter with his capabilities and approach can be a huge plus.
If he's as good as they say, then he should help. He sounds like a guy who knows the fundamentals of the game, unlike Soriano. Which brings me to my next point, signing Fukedome gives them more outfield depth, which might allow them to dump Soriano for some pitching help. I know that is probably a dream because Soriano's contract will be difficult to get rid of and Hendry loves him, but I am allowed to dream.
If only I could hear ole Harry Caray announce his name on opening day, well everyday really. I miss that dude.
If he can catch, run, and hit (the ball) all will be well.
GO CUBS!
PSA-Don't throw rice it kills the local birds. I do like the Pie idea.
Santa, some pitching for Christmas please?
At least they are trying, I don't think it's going to hurt the Team. It would really suck if they didn't get him and he turned out to be great. Another "Big Fish" lost by Kenny "Babe Winkleman" Williams.
Mmmmm...Lessee...$50 mil for a dude I never heard of 'til recently, and whose name could get me fired if I ever mispronounce it at work (my boss hates swearing)...I like it!
Is anyone concerned about the fact that one of the many criteria used in perusing Fukudome was that it would increase revenue by being able to target the Japanese markets? That seemed as important as the potential of his game. I have no way of knowing if he will be as good as advertised until he does it (or not) on the field. But it seems like this was as much a business decision (selling ad space to Japanese audiences, Cubs merchandising in Japen etc...) as a baseball decision (find a left handed power hitting right fielder to bolster the middle of the lineup and play good defense.) For a team that hasn't seen a championship in 100 years, it strikes me odd that baseball decisions aren't the priority. I mean, "Hendry is confident that Fukudome can adjust???" For real? You better be more than just "confident" when you commit $50 million to one player...
Don't get me wrong, it sounds like he is going to be a good player. But if he is as going to be as good as people say he is, how come the Cubs ended up signing him? I mean for real, how many times have the Cubs whiffed on making a big splash in free agency? Losing the top prize because someone else beat them to the punch. Furcal was a priority and was "stolen" by the Dodgers. Beltran would have looked good a couple of years ago and was never really pursued. Pudge Rodriguez would have looked better than Michael Barrett. Remember LaTroy Hawkins? Mike Remlinger? etc... We did sign Soriano last year, but many people think the Cubs might have overpaid for a guy who hits 30+ homers with only 60+ RBIs, strikes out a lot, doesn't take a lot of walks and can't hit other than lead off? I don't remember the last time a free agent signing really worked out for the Cubs. This one seems no different.
If he was as good as the Cubs think he is, someone else would have paid more and signed him instead. Until I see him perform at Wrigley in a Cub uniform, I'll be skeptical.
I am real sorry that Harry Carey is not around. I would love to hear him say this guy's name.
Roman responds: That actually made me laugh.
Fukudome (FUU KUU Dough May)is perfect for the 2 hole. He could drive in the lead off man with his slashing doubles style, get on with 397 on base %, and set the table for the big guys. Now get Roberts and Bedard for prospects and we have a shot. I also like Pagan in center. Any thoughts?
Maunakea Rick
Kenny, JUST QUIT!!!
October headline: National League Central Champs Pittsburgh Pirates. It's a possiblilty.
Might not pay off right away. Remember all the talk about Daisuke and the shorter season. He may be good the first couple of games, but he may have to get used to the heat of the summer.
Noles, Rowand wouldn't accept anything less than 5 years. Pecota has them ranked pretty evenly if you throw out Rowands career year. The Cubs needed a left handed bat and a good right fielder. They also need to find out about Pie and Fuld. And japanese advertizing will almost pay for Fukudome's contract. So Rowand for $60 million or Fukudome for almost nothing, is a no brainer.
So if the AZ boys could put together a package to land Haren, why can't Hendry pull off a similar deal?