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 Oh boy, here we go again. I'm not sure what the Cubs are thinking. Apparently the #1 name on GM Jim Hendry's wish list this off-season is indeed, Kosuke Fukudome....it hurts me just to write that. They'll sign this guy, have a big press conference for him, probably throw him in at the Cubs Convention and somehow convince everyone that this is a great deal for the Cubs. But it's not. So, what's the big deal you ask? He's a left handed hitting outfielder and the Cubs are saying that's what they need, right? Ugh...kind of, but not really.
I didn't want to mention Fukudome by name before because I just don't like his game and I feel that if the Cubs sign him they are making a huge mistake. First, he's 30 years old and coming off of right elbow surgery. You want to put a guy in right field that has a bad elbow? Haven't we seen enough poor throws from the outfield the past couple of seasons? Generally, 27 is the 'prime age' in MLB. Fukudome has won all kinds of awards in Japan the past couple of seasons.....since he's been in his prime. Now that he's hit the big 3-0, he's on the backside of those 'prime years'. That's if he's even still in them after an elbow surgery that knocked him out of the end of last season. Next, he's looking for a 3-year deal and it looks like right now the bidding for that is up to nearly $40 million ($13 million/year, roughly). I cringe every single time I read that. That's nearly what Carlos Beltran makes. That's far too much money for a player with so many question marks. If the Cubs had planned ahead and made sound financial decisions they would have taken care of this issue before it happened. Instead, they'll have to overpay to make up for their mistake. Third, I DON'T THINK HE'S GOING TO BE THAT GOOD. At worst he's going to be a fundamentally sound back-up outfielder. At best, he's not even Hideki Matsui. Fukudome does have the ability to get on base, but his power numbers, which aren't huge to begin with, aren't going to convert well to MLB. He might hit .300 but he's not going to hit 20 homers...and the Cubs will probably be paying $13 million for that. In other words, he's Randy Winn. Sound good to you? Not to me, not for that kind of cash. Finally, the Cubs have a kid, Tyler Colvin, who they are 'grooming' to play right field in Wrigley for years to come. He's played decently in the minors but his OB% is lacking and that scares me. He's supposed to open the season in Iowa (Triple-A) for some 'seasoning'. If...If...If...Colvin learned to take some walks and showed the ability to be an intelligent hitter, the signing of Fukudome will keep Colvin from playing at Wrigley for a couple of more seasons until the Cubs face another 'what to do with the prospect?' situation, which they thrive at.
It looks like, once again, the Cubs are trying to sign a veteran player to a horrible contract when they don't really know what they are going to get from him, while at the same time keeping a potential younger player from playing. It seems like this is happening nearly every season with the Cubs.
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2008 Cubs Preview
They always seem to put themselves in a corner. I know nothing about this guy so i can't comment on him. The one thing I do know is he hasn't played a lick of MLB so there is increased risk on his performance. Even though it won't happen, Hamilton is #1 on my wish list.
3 years, 40 mil isn't that bad if you don't want to give Roward and Jones five or six year contracts. I don't see how you hate a guy with a .400 on base percentage, who, by all accounts, is a good defensive player. Elbow surgery, schelbow surgery, is going to be real good. The Cubs and Sox both want him, and and if the Sox get him he'd hit leadoff, which would save us from Jerry Owens for 150 games.
The Cubs don't want Rowand or Jones and the 3 year/$40 million deal would just give them an excuse to not play younger players who might need to play. He has a .400 ob% in Japan, he'll be lucky to get around .350 in MLB. I've actually done too much research on this guy. I'm truly beginning to hate him before he even steps foot into the U.S. Sox can have him, please take him.
here's a bigger question/problem. How many top position prospects in the last ten years turn out well for the cubs? Go back to Kevin Orie - they all seem to fall flat on their face. Brant Brown, Robin JenningsPatterson, Kelton, Heep Sop Choi, Glanville, Kieschnick, Bobby Hill, Jason Dubois, Quincy Carter -just kidding.
How many position players on the cubs roster are even home grown? Pie was undrafted and signed but Theriot and Soto will be the only two drafted fielders to make an impact in the last seven drafts.
From Lynch - McPhail - Hendry, no one has done a good job developing position talent.
Unfortunately, I can't argue with you there. I do have hopes though that the Cubs are going in a different direction after seeing how many players they shuttled up and down from the minors last season.....that is the only way to build an organization that is consistently a contender.