Should the Yankees go after Kosuke Fukudome?

Jitpal · Post #1 » by **Jitpal** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:27 pm

He looks to be a pretty good major league player. I was reading up on him and while he won't hit more than 20 or so home runs here, he has strong gap power. A good arm and pretty good defense. Only 30 years old and I think he could be had for 4/40 or 4/44 type deal. Hear me out on this.

We can get rid of Abreu who many thought was putting a negative spin in the clubhouse earlier in the year with the young guys. The Yanks would save some cash this year that could be invested in Cordero or someone else to set up. With Matsui getting close to the end of his career and his contract expiring next year, we have the best player from Japan playing on the Yankees to keep the Japan revenue flowing in. He has patience and a high OBP over his career so there wouldn't be much of a drop off from Abreu, if any.

Kosuke Fukudome could be interested in the Yankees because it would be the most high profile team that has an opening in RF. The Red Sox are heavily invested in J.D. Drew for years to come and the Mariners are probably going to bring Guillen back. He has Matsui to help him get used to the American and Yankee culture.

Thoughts? -Jitpal

Post #2 » by **nykgeneralmanager** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:00 pm

I don't see the point in getting a longterm RF through free agency. With Abreu we know what we get and we know it is just a 1 year commitment. It doesn't really benefit us to throw away a sure thing for a mystery who will get a longterm contract.

The reason I feel like this is because the next wave of good prospects coming through our system are OF. That includes Jose Tabata and Austin Jackson, both will be starting the year in AA and will probably see the majors sometime in 2009. Tabata profiles as our RF of the future, with Jackson in CF. It doesn't make any sense for the Yankees to get rid of Abreu now (instead of just next year) when he is probably better than any option we can find right now, he is not a longterm commitment, and he won't be blocking Tabata come 2009 or 2010.

Jitpal · Post #3 » by **Jitpal** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:05 pm

nykgeneralmanager wrote:I don't see the point in getting a longterm RF through free agency. With Abreu we know what we get and we know it is just a 1 year commitment. It doesn't really benefit us to throw away a sure thing for a mystery who will get a longterm contract.

The reason I feel like this is because the next wave of good prospects coming through our system are OF. That includes Jose Tabata and Austin Jackson, both will be starting the year in AA and will probably see the majors sometime in 2009. Tabata profiles as our RF of the future, with Jackson in CF. It doesn't make any sense for the Yankees to get rid of Abreu now (instead of just next year) when he is probably better than any option we can find right now, he is not a longterm commitment, and he won't be blocking Tabata come 2009 or 2010.

I get that and I feel the same way if you read one of my earlier posts. This guy can be really good here. There are no guarantees with prospects.Tabata could be ready by '09 but he might not. Maybe he is ready, but he might not be ready to be here full-time. This move would give us the options and keep the foreign revenue pumping in when Matsui is gone. Plus, we will get the two draft picks this year, instead of next. I don't think 4 years is that long-term a deal, especially because if he is anything like he is in Japan then 10 or 11 million will be a steal. Worst case scenario you can move him to some team in the NL if Tabata is ready. -Jitpal

Post #4 » by **nykgeneralmanager** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:26 pm

Jitpal wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I get that and I feel the same way if you read one of my earlier posts. This guy can be really good here. There are no guarantees with prospects.Tabata could be ready by '09 but he might not. Maybe he is ready, but he might not be ready to be here full-time. This move would give us the options and keep the foreign revenue pumping in when Matsui is gone. Plus, we will get the two draft picks this year, instead of next. I don't think 4 years is that long-term a deal, especially because if he is anything like he is in Japan then 10 or 11 million will be a steal. Worst case scenario you can move him to some team in the NL if Tabata is ready. -Jitpal

I see what you're saying, I guess its just personal preference. I'd rather take a chance on a 20 year old with a ridiculous ceiling who will cost $400,000 as opposed to taking a risk on a 30 year old who could cost $10+million. To me, anything longer than 1 or 2 (maybe 3) is longterm. I feel that if we want, we can go get someone to replace Abreu after next season who will also be more of a sure thing. No reason to rush into it now considering Abreu is better and with the kids coming behind him.

Pharmcat · Post #5 » by **Pharmcat** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:31 pm

kNiCk_PriDe · Post #6 » by **kNiCk_PriDe** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:41 am

Honestly, I'm done with Japanese imports for a while.

cmaff051 · Post #7 » by **cmaff051** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:43 am

kNiCk_PriDe wrote:Honestly, I'm done with Japanese imports for a while.

I feel the same way. I'd be interested in a Japanese reliever because they are cheap, but I'm done with starting pitchers and position players from Japan.

Pharmcat · Post #8 » by **Pharmcat** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:44 am

dont forget the revenue aspect folks

cmaff051 · Post #9 » by **cmaff051** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:46 am

The Kandi Man Rocks wrote:dont forget the revenue aspect folks

Has this been proven in any way? You would think after Matsui that we tapped out that market. And besides, the Yankees make hand over first anyways because of the Yes Network.

Pharmcat · Post #10 » by **Pharmcat** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:51 am

cmaff051 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Has this been proven in any way? You would think after Matsui that we tapped out that market. And besides, the Yankees make hand over first anyways because of the Yes Network.

good question.....id have to look into this....but i see those advertisement in japanese at the stadium.....so we would need to have some japanese player to keep it up? im not sure

kNiCk_PriDe · Post #11 » by **kNiCk_PriDe** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:58 am

cmaff051 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I feel the same way. I'd be interested in a Japanese reliever because they are cheap, but I'm done with starting pitchers and position players from Japan.

That's true. They are cheap, but even Japanese relievers tend to break down in the second half of the season. The seasons are shorter in Japan, and they tend to get tired towards the end of the major league season. This happened in Boston with both their japanese imports this year. Okajima gave up two big homeruns in back to back world series games. I'm sure him breaking down towards the end has alot to do with francona overusing him in the first half, and hes just one example, but I really dont trust them over a whole season.

Post #12 » by **moocow007** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:03 am

Unless Fukudome resembles Ichiro I'll pass.

theknicks414 · Post #13 » by **theknicks414** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:05 am

his nickname will be Kos-K

Post #14 » by **moocow007** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:07 am

theknicks414 wrote:his nickname will be Kos-K

Either that or "Fuuk-U". :eyebrows: