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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7537414

It's official: Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will play in the majors next season.

Fukudome, 30, is set to announce that he is leaving Japan, the first step toward him signing a free-agent contract with a major-league club.

His decision on whether to join the Cubs, Padres or an unidentified third finalist might come as soon as late Friday night or early Saturday, sources say.

The Rangers, White Sox and Giants are among the other teams that have shown interest in Fukudome, a player whom major-league scouts frequently compare to Raul Ibanez.

What will be his nickname? This guy is going to be the center of attention in the bleachers.

Ibanez is not a good comparison.

Nickname has to be The Dome or something to that effect.

GYBE wrote:Ibanez is not a good comparison.

Nickname has to be The Dome or something to that effect.

What about **** you, do me?

I don't know about his nickname, but the fans will be saying the first part of his name quite a bit if he makes a lot of errors, strikes out, or is a bust.

if you guys do get fukudome
from an astros fan, congrats

Cubs won't get him now that everyone is already making up nicknames for the guy.

Seriously though, the Cubs need this guy. It seems like Hendry is waiting out his other options until Fuku signs. I think it'll be the first domino to drop and we'll really start to see what this team is going to shape up like.

Rotowire:

Agent Joe Urbon said there was no truth to the report that Kosuke Fukudome was set to announce his intention to play in the U.S.
That was reported by FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal earlier in the day. It's still expected that Fukudome will play in the U.S., but Urbon indicated that he's a few days away from choosing his new team.

Ruben Douglas wrote:Cubs won't get him now that everyone is already making up nicknames for the guy.

Seriously though, the Cubs need this guy. It seems like Hendry is waiting out his other options until Fuku signs. I think it'll be the first domino to drop and we'll really start to see what this team is going to shape up like.

I don't think there's going to be much of a turnover from last year to be honest.

We have enough pitchers for both the pen and rotation. I guess we could see a blockbuster for an ace, but it's unlikely.

If we get Fukudome, every position but SS will be set. So any changes will really be minor. I have no problem with taking last years team and just adding Fukudome. It took us some time to get in a rhythm with all the new guys, but from June on we were one of the best teams in baseball. The offense underachieved and will surely be better with Fukudome (if we get him). Soriano will be better, free agents almost always play better the 2nd year after they're more comfortable with the team. The pitching will stay the same, which was Top 5 in baseball. That will all be good enough to win the division (sorry trwi7).

Cubs not disappointed key deals remain elusive
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=90989

The pursuit of Fukudome will be costly in terms of dollars, especially in light of the free-agent contracts given to Andruw Jones by the Dodgers and Torii Hunter by the Angels. It could end up costing the winning bidder up to $75 million over five years for Fukudome.

I really don't care how much it costs. He's our only free agent target. If we lose him we're badly hurt as a team, he's just such a neccessity.

I doubt it comes to that unless other teams are involved. I don't believe the Padres will go anywhere near that much.

Fukudome knows what he's doing..

He has sit down with Triple Chinned Jim and knows he's a moron.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jimbo throw 80-85 @ him.

treyZz wrote:Fukudome knows what he's doing..

He has sit down with Triple Chinned Jim and knows he's a moron.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jimbo throw 80-85 @ him.

eh I would have rather payed A-Rod 700 million to play SS.

And I would have rather traded everyone for Cabrera and signed him for a 1.1 billion extension. Oh well.

****...sold

Raul Ibanez? sweeeeeeeet

Report: Fukudome Will Not Stay In Japan, Will Sign With MLB Team
http://www.realgmbaseball.com/src_wiret ... _mlb_team/

AP - Japanese free-agent Kosuke Fukudome has decided not to move to the Yomiuri Giants and will sign with a major league team instead, the Nikkansports newspaper reported Sunday.

Fukudome had previously indicated the Giants would be the only Japanese team he would consider playing for next season, but has now ruled them out, opening the way for a move to the major leagues. Fukudome has drawn interest from the Chicago Cubs, the San Diego Padres and the Chicago White Sox.

Not any surprises there. Hopefully this doesn't turn into 3CJ vs Furcal Part II.

Fukudome has a gun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPPZjtu-eIA

Steroid check?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYllEVLk ... re=related

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/deluca/6 ... 09.article
Scouting report from former Japanese manager Trey Hillman:

"He's got great balance. He stays inside the ball. He's got more balance than most left-handed hitters that are Japanese-style hitters with a leg lift. He's athletic defensively. A lot of people don't know his high school background. He was originally a shortstop in high school. That gives you a little bit of your idea with athleticism and lateral movement. His routes are very pure in the outfield. I've been asked the question from people from the United States when I was still in Japan as to whether or not I felt like he could play center field if there was a need in the right ballpark. I have no reservations with that. I'm not sure it's a long-term fix in center, but I wouldn't have any reservations of putting him in a center field that was not something that was a huge gap-coverage outfield.''

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/12/ ... ut-f-ks-k/

i sorta want this guy, but i'd rather get some legit pitching. are we getting him?