Fukudome commits to playing in U.S.; Cubs preparing offer
With Japanese star Kosuke Fukudome stating his intention to leave his home country and play in the major leagues, the Cubs shifted into passing gear Tuesday morning in efforts to land their No. 1 target.
General manager Jim Hendry and his lieutenants were expected to meet this morning to finalize and perhaps even sweeten a multiyear offer for the left-handed hitting Fukudome.
Overnight, Fukudome told media members in Japan that he is leaving his club, the Chunichi Dragons, 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."
Reports from Japan over the weekend said the 30-year-old Fukudome would not sign with the Yomiuri Giants, his main suitor in the Japanese leagues. Following protocol, Fukudome first announced to his former team that he would not be coming back, thus opening the way for his coming overseas.
The Cubs, White Sox and San Diego Padres are expected to be the main bidders for Fukudome. The Padres can offer a pleasant climate in Southern California, but the Cubs are expected to top all teams when it comes to money. Last off-season, Hendry gave free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano an eight-year, $136 million contract.
Fukudome may garner up to $15 million per year for up to five years.
The White Sox were shut out in their attempts to land outfielder Torii Hunter and third baseman Miguel Cabrera, but it's not known how much they'll bid for Fukudome.
Since the Cubs were eliminated from the 2007 playoffs by Arizona, Hendry has made no secret of his desire to add a left-handed hitting right fielder. With the major-league market for such hitters unattractive to the Cubs, Hendry targeted Fukudome from the get-go.
The Cubs last year hired former pitcher Steve Wilson to be their Pacific Rim scout, and other members of the front-office staff watched Fukudome play in 2007.
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 has likened Fukudome to a combination of Japanese stars Ichiro Suzuki and Kaz Matsui, both of whom play in the big leagues, with Ichiro becoming a superstar.
"He's a very talented young man, really good player," Piniella said of Fukudome during last week's winter meetings in Nashville. "He would make a fine addition on many major-league teams, including ours."
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 could land Roberts and Fukudome, they could field a batting order that begins with Soriano and follows with Roberts, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Fukudome.