Comments on: Getting to Know You: Kosuke Fukudome

By: What They Need: Colorado Rockies - More Stewart, Less Atkins | umpbump.com

What They Need: Colorado Rockies - More Stewart, Less Atkins | umpbump.com — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:57:05 +0000

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By: melissa

melissa — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:25:05 +0000

Sarah,
I definitely don’t think Fukudome’s salary will be a problem for the Cubs if he wants to come to Chicago. They definitely need a left-handed bat in the outfield more than another right handed power hitter. After over-spending for Soriano last year and the pending change in ownership A-Rod is probably not a consideration for them.

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By: Sarah Green

Sarah Green — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:46:35 +0000

Melissa, I don’t think the Cubs would be as hesitant to spend $40 mill as they would be to sign A-Rod and drop $300 mill. It’s true that the uncertainty about the club’s future ownership affects them, but I don’t think it would be a deal-breaker in this case.

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By: melissa

melissa — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:04:05 +0000

I heard Steve Stone talking about this guy yesterday, he echoed a great deal of what you have here. He seems to feel the guy will be an above average corner outfielder with decent power and he bats from the left side of the plate. He would definitely fit in perfectly in right for the Cubs and it sounds like they are interested. They can afford him and are always looking for new avenues to market their team. The only problem for them is the fact that ownership is preparing to sell the club.

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By: Paul Moro

Paul Moro — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:37:58 +0000

Coley, I think that Eric Byrnes himself is “a poor man’s Eric Byrnes”. The perception of his value doesn’t compare to his on-field production over his career. If I had to create a list of guys who will regress considerably in 2008, Byrnes is definitely in the top 5.

With that said, I think Fukudome could very well match what Byrnes did this year (minus the SBs). Depending upon where he goes, he might be even better.

If what Nick said about him possibly going to Petco, his offensive value obviously goes down. But if the scouting report on his range prove correct, his defensive value should be boosted.

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By: Coley Ward

Coley Ward — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:20:21 +0000

$40 million over four years for a poor man’s Eric Byrnes? It’s clear that teams no longer value players in terms of their on-field production, but in terms of marketing potential. Fukudome and Dice-K are valuable because they will allow the teams that sign them to sell caps and jerseys in Japan. A-Rod is valuable not for his homers, but because more people will pay to watch him, both in person and on TV.

Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this. I just feel bad for the Lyle Overbays of the world. That guy’s got about as much market appeal as a Sunday afternoon hockey game.

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By: Nick Kapur

Nick Kapur — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:10:25 +0000

Great post, Paul!

I was thinking of doing a post on Fukudome myself in the next few days, but you’ve done a much more thorough post than I was planning to.

All the reports I’ve read have Fukudome going to the Padres. They seem to have some sort of preexisting relationship with him which makes them the frontrunners…

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By: Dk

Dk — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:39:15 +0000

Yes the Rockies run can only be explained as help from a higher power because it certainly is not skill after last nites a$$ whopping. LOL

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