Kosuke Fukodome signs with Cubs

[AmarilloRed]

Kosuke Fukudome Signs With Cubs

Dave Kaplan of WGN Radio reports that the Cubs have signed Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year deal. Kaplan says it's for about $50MM, maybe a hair more. Fukudome will be a free agent after the fourth year; there will be no arbitration.

[Stephenk29]

A rumor that's been right from the start

[Bip Roberts]

Heres to a .700 ops for 10 million a year

[Natty Redlocks]

Heres to a .700 ops for 10 million a year

Brandon Phillips?

[Bip Roberts]

Phillips had a .815 or something OPS last year

[Bip Roberts]

make that 12.5 million :o

[Heath]

let's try again, folks.

[*BaseClogger*]

Phillips had a .815 or something OPS last year

is that a good OPS or a bad OPS? ;)

[*BaseClogger*]

let's try again, folks.

why?

[Blue]

Lee
Ramirez
Soriano
Fukudome
Soto

Zambrano, Hill, and Lily at the front of the rotation. Marmol, Wood, and Howry at the back of the bullpen. They'll be tough to beat again next season.

Cubs and Brewers, and hopefully the Reds will battle it out.

[*BaseClogger*]

Lee
Ramirez
Soriano
Fukudome
Soto

Zambrano, Hill, and Lily at the front of the rotation. Marmol, Wood, and Howry at the back of the bullpen. They'll be tough to beat again next season.

Cubs and Brewers, and hopefully the Reds will battle it out.

I agree that they are the frontrunners right now

[Handofdeath]

It was pointed out on the Royals website that he had elbow surgery in August. Too much of a question mark IMO to give that much money too. Also remember that ballparks in Japan are notorious for being small so I think that negates some of his power here in the U.S. But the Cubs can afford it so more power to them.

[mlbfan30]

Fukodome is a type of player the Cubs needed. He is basically an Abreu type. He'll take a lot of BB and hit for decent avg with below avg power. For a OBP deprived team such as the Cubs, that .380+ OBP will look very nice in the 2 spot.

[AmarilloRed]

Cubs win Fukudome sweepstakes
Japanese outfielder agrees to four-year, $48 million deal
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- The Cubs' patience paid off. Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome has agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the team, pending his passing a physical.

Sources confirmed the contract Tuesday night, which would run through 2011, and was believed to be worth $48 million. The highly sought outfielder had announced his intention to come to the U.S. and the Major Leagues early Tuesday, and had several teams to chose from, including the Cubs, San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.

Fukudome, 30, had considered multi-year deals from the Tokyo-based Yomiuri Giants and his former team, the Chunichi Dragons.

Fukudome was not expected to come to Chicago until next week to undergo a physical, a source said.

The Cubs are looking for a left-handed-hitting outfielder to take over right field and balance their right-handed lineup. Fukudome, who has averaged 29 homers between 2003-06, was limited last season because of bone chips in his right elbow.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said scouts have described the outfielder as a cross between Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki.

Fukudome has a career .305 batting average over nine seasons with the Chunichi Dragons, who won their first Japan championship in 53 years on Nov. 2.

[I(heart)Freel]

This news prompt the Reds to one-up them? I can see BCast being uber-competitive, even in the off-season.