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Kosuke Fukudome was introduced on Wednesday afternoon and finalized his 4-year, $48 million dollar deal. Fukudome was added to the Cubs 40-man roster and contrary to published reports, "Fukudome" donned the back of his Cubs jersey....along with the number "1". Fukudome has been on the Cubs radar for the last 3 years and made him their only off-season target to fill their need for a right fielder. Fukudome said during his press conference that the Cubs were one of the teams that promised him he could play right field.
Dennis FitzSimons resigned from his post with the Tribune Company on Wednesday and "will step down as chairman and chief executive officer immediately after the company completes its going-private transaction. FitzSimons will leave the company at the end of the year."
Here is the latest from the mill on Brian Roberts and Erik Bedard, more on Fukudome and is Joe Blanton on the Cubs shopping list?
Kosuke Fukudome
Fukudome said during his press conference, through an interpreter, that he expects to be fully recovered from the elbow surgery he had last season in time for Spring Training.
"My rehab and my elbow are coming along very well. I think I can be able to perform as well as I did before my surgery."
Will Carroll spoke about Fukudome in video on Baseball Prospectus.com....the video does not include any additional highlights of Kosuke, but it is worth viewing.
There was a very good report by Mike Spellman in the Daily Herald on Wednesday morning about Fukudome. Spellman spoke with Naoko Sato of Nikkan Sports News about Kosuke. She talked about Fukudome and compared him to Aaron Rowand. Sato said there will be between 10-20 Japanese journalists covering Fukudome on a daily basis in 2008.
Fukudome stated "he probably hits best" in the number three spot in the lineup but said he was not "that familiar with the Cubs lineup." Kosuke said he is looking forward to playing for Lou Piniella and that he is a "famous manager" in Japan because he managed Ichiro.
Fukudome said all of the "right things" during his press conference. He even mentioned he would like to "help the Cubs end their long championship drought." Fukudome was asked about Sammy Sosa and he said he grew up watching Sosa and it will be an honor playing the same position on the same field as Sosa.
Brian Roberts
Peter Angelos supported Roberts' decision to admit using steroids after he was included in the Mitchell Report. Roberts said he made the decision to make the announcement for himself and no other reason. Greg Couch thinks the "Cubs should say no to Roberts." In his report in the Sun-Times, Couch stated the Cubs "should not be signing anyone named in the Mitchell Report."
Dave Kaplan mentioned on two different occasions on Wednesday night that he was told the Brian Roberts deal will get done and is very close. Roberts wants to be a Cub according to Kaplan.
Internet rumors circulated on Wednesday night stating a deal with Roberts was close to being completed and the Tribune reported Roberts is still on the Cubs radar.
Jayson Stark reported the Cubs have talked to the Orioles about Roberts and Erik Bedard, but, according to Stark, the Cubs do not have "what it takes to trade for both."
Speaking of Erik Bedard, the Reds are still trying to trade for the southpaw according to a report in the Cincinnati Enquirer....but do not appear "on the brink of a trade." The Orioles want Jay Bruce and the Reds are not willing to part with their top prospect and Baseball America's 2007 Minor League Player of the Year.
Joe Blanton
Are the Cubs interested in Joe Blanton? According to Dave Kaplan they are.... XM Radio has talked about Blanton quite a bit over the past few days and they speculated Billy Beane will be looking for a similar deal to the one he just received from the Diamondbacks for Dan Haren. Blanton had a good season for the A's last year and could be a good addition to the Cubs staff, but he will come with a huge price tag of prospects.
From Around the League
Steve Stone will be back in the booth doing play-by-play in Chicago....but on the South Side. Stone will be in the White Sox radio booth for Friday games only next season.
Michael Barrett agreed to a 1-year, $3.5 million dollar deal with the Padres on Wednesday and avoided arbitration.
Curt Schilling suggested Roger Clemens should give back the Cy Young Awards he won since 1997....if the Rocket cannot clear his name from the allegations made in the Mitchell Report.
Trips to the Northside
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Blanton seems like a very good plan B if we cannot get Bedard. Actually Blanton is a better fit if Marquis goes because he is a righty and we allready have LHP's Lilly/Hill/Marshall and RHP's Zambrano/Hart?/Marquis...
God, I hate Schilling. For once he is right though. Clemens is an arse!
Billy Bean will want the farm for Blanton...I prefer to give it up for Bedard and skip "one time user" Roberts. If we get both I won't complain.
**Steve Stone should be in the booth @ Wrigley every day**
Wouldn't mind seeing Blanton in the rotation.
It really saddens me to see Stone will be annoucing for the White Sux.
I agree with you fellas. The broadcasts were getting really good the last year Chip and Stoney were around. I don't expect a reconciliation any time soon, but who knows what new ownership will bring.
I would however settle for Mark Grace in the booth, he does a nice job.
agustin, I completely agree with you!
What does everyone think of the So Taguchi rumor to the Cubs?
It is an admirable person who has nothing to say--and doesn't say anything. Nobody's perfect, so some thoughts for a slow news day thus far. Blanton would probably take Marshall or Gallagher, Petrick or equivalent and one of our mid-level A prospects. He is a notch below Haren on the value scale--something like the difference in their ERA's last year (H--.302 and B--.395.
The Reds have the tradeable pieces to get Bedard. They could trade Gonzales (ss--.272-16-55) and still have Keppinger. They could trade Hopper (cf--.329) and still have Hamilton or the opposite and they could trade stud AA propect Cueto (rhp) and still have Bailey.
I'm hoping the Twins trade Santana to someone other than the Red Sox--because Coco Crisp likely would be part of the package (to replace Hunter). I've said Crisp could be our cf in a Red Sox trade, and I think that would be good for us. JimK
thinking....... not sure, not against it, but not for it. He always seemed to have the Cubs number, but so did John Mabry and we know how that worked out.
SO NO!!!!! All he'd do is occupy Matt Murton's roster spot w/ half the production and none of the potential. I'd much rather have Pagan & Murton than Pagan & Taguchi on the bench. Hire a 2nd interpreter if you have to, they don't need to be on the 40 man roster... this has got to be a joke. Unless.... the Roberts deal (with or without Bedard) is going to take 3 guys off the 40 man roster. Then you now have 2 open spots on there.. just a thought. However, I still vote HELL NO~! on So. I've had the "opportunity" to see him for the last 10 seasons (j/k, not that long) in STL & he is really below avg defensively, below avg hitting, and avg on the bases. Why spend the money? Fuk is already signed, we don't need to pay a "buddy" to be on the team.
Spiral out.... Don't jack this up Jim H.
I thought that Kosuke would be on the back of Fukudome's jersey? Thats what all the reports last week had said.
I thought that Kosuke would be on the back of Fukudome's jersey? Thats what all the reports last week had said.
Tks Roland! Do you also hate Schilling>?
Despite the fact that ideally we could use another high end starting pitcher, I really think that the only remaining significant acquisition we will make is Roberts. Hendry seems to really want him and recently has been doing what is takes to bring in the players he really wants. I expect the cost to be pretty significant in prospects though ... maybe 3-4. Hendry and Pinella must be concerned that Pie won't work out and want to be able to put DeRosa in right and Fuku in center if needed.
As for pitching, I think Bedard and Burnett will be too expensive in terms of prospects for Hendry's taste and while Blanton will be cheaper than the other two, Beane will still want 3-4 decent prospects for him and I don't think Blanton is worth it.
That said, if we pull in Roberts ... adding Fuku and Roberts and resigning Wood would have to be considered a successful offseason.
Fukudome mentioned one of the big reasons he came to the Cubs was that they guaranteed him right field (his position). From that comment, i don't see him as a center fielder.
augustin, I don't hate Schilling. It doesn't bother me how much has to talk. Spices things up on slow news days.
Yeah, KButler...several reports last week stated 'Kosuke' would be on the back of his jersey....Wrigleyville Sports was even selling them that way online but when he was introduced yesterday 'Fukudome' was on the back of the jersey...
Steve Stone was just on XM and he said Roberts will be a Cub and they are really looking at Joe Blanton.
Posted by: Lew | December 20, 2007 8:29 AM
Mark Grace is the worst announcer, color or play-by-play in the big leagues. Even worse than the old dude in Seattle. Grace is horrible. He and Santo are about the same.
Cle21
Clemente21-
Ouch, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but you just like used God's name in vain on this website.
KButler-
You don't know how to kick field goals by chance?
I think Santo has really come a long way. I really enjoy listening to his insights.
I don't know Neil, can we trust info from a member of the (it pains me to say this) whitesox organization (Steve Stone). I'm going to go puke now.
Jeff in AZ:
Take heart in the fact that Steve Stone WORKS for
the Score 670. Stone probably got a few more $$ sent his way if he complied. If Stone did it full time, then I would say something similar to what you did.
Clemente21:
Great name and great number. The most underated Hall of Famer ever! Yo si mi gusta.
David and others ...It seems clear from the "official remarks" and Fuk's remark that he will be playing RF that someone beside Fuk will be in center. I'm guessing that, if we get Roberts, DeRo will play 150 games rotating among 3rd, 1st, 2nd and the outfield or that we trade him. Rotating DeRo might be good for Lee and Aram (and the team) because they seem prone to nagging injuries. And something more serious could happen at one of the positions DeRo can play.
DeRo seems more than gracious about his possible use, but he does say his preference is to be an everyday infielder. If possible, I lean toward a Robert's type who can play center (Crisp is one of a few possibilities)and leave DeRo at second. JimK
SANTO rocks. He calls it with genuine emotion. You can hear how much it torments him when Dempster is doing his roller coaster routine and how excited he gets with every big hit.
I love listening to him.
Jeff...I know, it pains me to say Steve Stone and the South Side in the same sentence...but what can we do? Hopefully the new ownership will bring him back.
Clemente21, I agree with Jim in Tinley, great choice for screen name...but Santo, come on. He might not be the best announcer out there but he does not hide behind anything either or pretend to be something he is not. I love it when he yells at them....like we all do when they make a bonehead play. Santo is the 'voice' of the Faithful in my humble opinion.
Pat Hughes is great and I cannot wait to see them in Scottsdale in just over 2 months and to hear Pat say, "Chicago Cubs' Baseball is on the Air."
2nd that... Santo rocks!!!
What would you prefer -- Tim Mcarver?? UGHHHH... i'd toss up my lunch!!
Hey Clemente21? you should wear a Schilling shirt...I love that guy!
I second Jeff's post OUCH...
Hey Dave...Look out the window and tell me if you see Clemente21 walking around? I'm sure he is a Cardinals fan. If not I'm sure Jim can see him on the South Side.
Is it me or does Fukudome look alot like the japenese character from Mike Tyson's punchout????
Just looked up Blanton's numbers and he looks like a stud in the making. 40 more innings, reduced his walks by 18 and his ERA almost by a full point while increasing his strikeouts. Gotta love that.
I still can't stand Kasper as the play by play guy. I miss Chip, Brenneman, and of course, Haray.