Fukudome leaving Japan, but is it for the Cubs?
If this is Wednesday in Chicago, it must be the day after tomorrow in Japan.
Or something like that.
The Cubs were playing a waiting game Tuesday in their determined pursuit of Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.
Overnight Monday into Tuesday Chicago time, Fukudome announced he is leaving the Chunichi Dragons, his longtime club in the Japanese Central League, to play in the United States.
"I won't be playing for a Japanese club next season; I'll play in the majors," Fukudome said. "I appreciate the fans who supported me for nine years. I hope that the fans continue to root for me when they see me playing in the United States."
The Cubs, the San Diego Padres and the White Sox were considered the top three candidates to land the left-handed hitting right fielder.
"He's had an ample amount of time to examine the offers so far," said Joe Urbon, Fukudome's U.S.-based agent. "I'm supposed to talk to him this evening (Tuesday), and an answer may come, or it may not. He may have additional questions.
"If this doesn't come to a resolution, I can see it coming into place the following day. I don't know what your definition of quick is, but I would say within 48 hours."
With Japan being 15 hours ahead of Chicago time, the Cubs hunkered down in their Wrigley Field offices. General manager Jim Hendry did not wish to comment, saying only that he was waiting respectfully Tuesday night.
It's pretty clear to all but the most naive that even though major-league clubs haven't talked about their offers to Fukudome, those offers have been on the table for some time. The market for quality outfielders got more expensive this winter with the Los Angeles Angels signing Torii Hunter to a five-year, $90 million contract and the rival Dodgers signing Andruw Jones to a two-year, $36.2 million deal.
Fukudome could command anywhere from $12 million to $15 million per year for 3-5 years. The Cubs, who raised eyebrows last off-season by giving Alfonso Soriano an eight-year, $136 million contract, will have the financial wherewithal to blow their competitors out of the water.
If the Cubs fail, they'll have to resort to Plan B, which will consist of trying to make a trade for a left-handed hitting right fielder.
The Cubs had been largely absent from the Far East market since parting company with scout Leon Lee a few years ago. Lee helped the Cubs secure Korean phenom Hee Seop Choi in the late '90s. Choi turned out to be a big-league bust.
Last year, the Cubs hired former pitcher Steve Wilson to be their Pacific Rim scout. Wilson and several members of the Cubs' front office watched Fukudome play many times this season, and they came away impressed enough to make the 30-year-old star the Cubs' No. 1 off-season target.
Surgery to remove fragments from his right elbow limited Fukudome to 81 games this year. He batted .294 with 13 homers, 48 RBI, a .443 on-base percentage and a .520 slugging percentage.
For his career, he has a .397 on-base percentage, putting up OBP figures of .438 in 2006 and .430 in 2005.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella likened Fukudome to a combination of Japanese stars Ichiro Suzuki and Kaz Matsui, both of whom play in the big leagues, with Ichiro having attained superstardom.
"He's a very talented young man, really good player," Piniella said of Fukudome during last week's winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn. "He would make a fine addition on many major-league teams, including ours. You know, if he decides to come here, we would really welcome his services."
On-base percentage has not been a strong point with the Cubs in recent years, and management just now seems to be appreciating its value to an offense. Hendry also has entertained talks with the Baltimore Orioles for second baseman Brian Roberts, another high-OBP player.
If the Cubs land Roberts and Fukudome, they could field a batting order that begins with Soriano and follows with Roberts, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Fukudome.
Many Japanese players choose to stay with their teams despite having the option to leave. Although acknowledging the difficulty of his client's decision, Urbon said Fukudome is excited about coming to the United States.
"Without question," the agent said. "My sense is that he's excited. He's prepared, and he's looking forward to the next exciting chapter in his life."