Cubs play respectful waiting game for Fukudome

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With the Cubs' trade of reliever Will Ohman to the Braves, the centerpiece of general manager Jim Hendry's session with the media Tuesday did not center on Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

That doesn't mean the Cubs still aren't pursuing Fukudome. They are, but they're also waiting for him to declare he's leaving Japan and coming to North America.

Hendry said he had not talked with Fukudome's agent Tuesday as the Cubs try to be respectful of customs in Japan.

In the likely event Fukudome says he's coming over here, the Cubs figure to come out blazing with a big offer, much as they did last off-season when they landed Alfonso Soriano.

Barring that, Hendry is still listening to other GMs about possible trades for a left-handed hitting right fielder. Those players are not easy to obtain.

"'Available' is a tough word," Hendry said. "You're always optimistic if you got in that position that you might have enough ammunition to trade for somebody that certainly isn't being shopped. You could go a lot of different ways when you have somebody as versatile as (infielder-outfielder Mark) DeRosa."

The Cubs missed out on second baseman Kaz Matsui, who signed with Houston this week. If they had gotten Matsui, DeRosa would have shifted to a "super-utility" role.

Shooting them down: The Cubs say they've not talked about trading pitcher Ryan Dempster to the Toronto Blue Jays. Dempster will attempt to go from closer to starter next spring.

Although manager Lou Piniella would love to have Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, Cubs insiders insist they've not had talks about Hamilton.

Baseball people from Kansas City also shot down rumors that the Cubs were going to trade outfielder Matt Murton to the Royals for outfielder-infielder Mark Teahen.

Prior doings: Jim Hendry has talked with John Boggs, the agent for pitcher Mark Prior. The Cubs have until Dec. 12 to tender Prior or let him go.

Several teams, most notably the San Diego Padres, have expressed interest in Prior, who missed the 2007 season because of shoulder surgery.

The Cubs could trade him or try to work out a lesser deal for Prior, who is eligible for salary arbitration and can become a free agent next fall with a full season on a big-league roster.

Big honors: Outfielder Sam Fuld received his MVP award for his play this fall in the Arizona Fall League. Fuld will go to spring training and push Felix Pie for the center-field job. Fuld also could stick as a backup.

Cubs scouting guru Gary Hughes received a lifetime achievement award from Baseball America. Hughes brought Jim Hendry into pro ball with the Florida Marlins, so Tuesday was a highly emotional day for Hendry.

"He's about as good as it gets," Hendry said. "He's a real difference maker in the scouting profession. He made a huge difference to the profession, not just in the acquisition department, but how scouts are treated, how scouts have been paid better over the years, getting the respect they deserve over the years. The things he has done for the game behind the scenes, you can't put into words. He should have been a general manager a long time ago."

Hendry said there was "no way" he'd be in the game without the highly respected Hughes.

"If there's a scouting Hall of Fame, he'd be in -- the first ballot," Hendry said.

Hughes seemed touched by the award and said he had no regrets about not becoming a GM.

"Just in that I think I would have been pretty good at it," he said. "If I've got any ability, it's the ability to bring people together. I would have liked to have done that, but I don't wake up every morning kicking myself."