Japanese Free Agents

[splitterpfj]

I don't know if the Brewers will target a starting pitcher this winter or not, but here's one who may be headed to the states as a free agent, meaning no posting fee is necessary. Kuroda is 32-years-old.

 

The Cubs were rumored to be interested in Kuroda at this time last year, but he chose to stay in Japan for the 2007 season.

 

Kuroda

[dadofandrew]

If the Crew were to pick him up, which I doubt, I'd feel pretty good if it were as a reliever, or as the 6th starter. His inning totals indicate he'd struggle late in the year like Dice K did.

[splitterpfj]

FYI, Kuroda had an elbow examination in LA this week, no surgery, but I wonder what's up?

This site does not name all of the Japanese free agents yet, but it does list the total number of them. I would imagine this will be a good resource through the winter.

 

link

[homer]

One word: FUKUDOME

 

I imagine he'll be too pricey but he's a perfect fit for the Brewers.

[splitterpfj]

Fukudome had his season cut short for elbow surgery this year, but still projects as a MLB right fielder. I think he'll easily get 10 million per year, even coming off the injury. Given the number of big markets that are looking at him, I could see the bidding getting way out of hand.

 

Fukudome page

[dpapo]

Don't know if this link has already been posted, but I'll post it in a couple different threads. Basically it's a section from the MLB Trade Rumors Web site that is dedicated to rumors and information about Kosuke Fukudome.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/kosume_fukudome/index.html

[billyhallfan]

homer, would you put him in right, move hart to center, hall to third, and braun to left. That is what I would do if the Brewers were able to get him, just wondering what you would do with the "moving around"

[homer]

I think you have to factor LaPorta into any positional moves. What you propose makes a lot of sense short term but the Brewers have given no inclination that they'll move Braun just yet. One other possibility is trade Hall, move Hart to CF, put Fukudome in RF and LaPorta in LF.

[colbyjack]

A link from the webpage that is linked just above with the details about Fukudome reveals that the Yankees are leaning towards picking up Bobby Abreu's $16M option for 2008:

 

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10262007/sports/yankees/see_you_next_year.htm

 

Yeah, I know, it's the NY Post, but I have heard this before.

 

I commented in another thread that it may be a good year to get involved in a free agent like Fukudome because the Yankees (Matsui, Damon, Abreu left to right with Duncan and Cabrera as reserves) and Red Sox (Ramirez, Ellsbury/Crisp and Drew left to right) don't seem to have a need for him. Toss in the Ms as well if they're able to re-sign Jose Guillen to an extension to go with Ichiro, Ibanez and Adam Jones.

 

The Cubs and Giants would probably be the two teams I would be the most concerned with.

[JohnBriggs12]

"Yankees are leaning towards picking up Bobby Abreu's $16M option for 2008"

 

Why not? They just freed up a lot of cash and they don't have to bid for Abreu.

 

Fukudome does appear to be a good fit, but SF has the resources to go hard after him.

[areacodes]

Fukudome does appear to be a good fit, but SF has the resources to go hard after him.

 

 

What if they end up with A-Rod, would they still be looking to add Fukudome based on what it would take to get A-Rod finacially?

[splitterpfj]

If the Brewers did sign Fukudome, I can't imagine him not playing RF, he's got an outstanding arm.

[davemakovec]

If Fukudome ended up in right field, it'd be nice to have Corey Hart in left - having plus defenders on the corners never hurts, especially since left field usually has dead weight like Adam Dunn and 40's Barry Bonds. This is, of course, assuming that the Brewers keep Braun at third, which they've stated that they'll do.

[homer]

Splitter,

I think Fukudome had surgery on his elbow - not sure if it was his throwing arm or not - but I'd take him in either position.

[aracko]

Does Yi YianJian increase Milwaukess chances of landing a Asian Free Agent? Could Milwaukee become a hotbed for Asian Talent? Is this Dumb?

[homer]

" Is this Dumb?"

 

Not to be rude, but yes I think it is. Japanese and Chinese hate each other historically.

[erockdahizzo]

homer wrote:

I think Fukudome had surgery on his elbow - not sure if it was his throwing arm or not - but I'd take him in either position.

According to the link above...he had bone spurs removed from his right elbow. His bio says he throws right-handed. Not sure how much this would affect his arm strength this year.

[splitterpfj]

Nice overview of Fukudome on this page.

 

Free Agents

[madtowndrunkard]

You know guys there are kids on this board from time to time. Lets clean up the language...jeesh.

[pogokat]

ugh...

 

i have a fukudome jersey a friedn brought me from japan a few years agao and i can't wear it without someone making a dumb comment...

 

it's not all that appropriate to comment on the spelling of his last name...

 

it's jus a coincidence that his name could be used in a dirty manner in english...i can't wait till he's here so i don't have to hear that anymore

[wallus]

I was looking over that page splitter and the guy predicted NONE of those free agents to sign with the Crew. I also highly disagree with his rankings, Andruw Jones #2?

[splitterpfj]

I can see how that might happen, Wallus, this franchise doesn't sign the big money guys too often. I think the Brewers might spend on one free agent, as they did last year with Suppan, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if the most expensive addition comes via trade.

 

Fukudome is a great fit for what the team needs, but I have no idea if they even plan to pursue him.

[wallus]

I would assume they would at least give a call to see if there is any interest there. I think he would be an excellent addition where we could let LaPorta develop this next year and if all goes well, trade Bill Hall and put Corey Hart in center.

[splitterpfj]

Comments from Doug Melvin near the end of this article....not at all encouraging.

 

Bummer

[colbyjack]

Just to clarify, Doug Melvin is stating that the Brewers aren't likely to compete for a player via the posting process, which is something Mark Attanasio has claimed via Madtown Bomber IIRC.

 

I would agree that the Brewers are unlikely to get involved with Fukudome or some of the other Japanese FAs that have been mentioned. I have read so many times that Japanese players often sign with the teams they are most familiar with through the scouts that cover them (a theme that isn't foreign to any scout, home or abroad, although this statement may be an unfounded stereotype, but Japanese baseball players allegedly show more loyalty to the people that are most loyal to them). Since the Brewers don't even have a full-time scout in Japan (which is a mistake IMO), they certainly don't have any kind of edge in the familiarity dep't.

 

Fukudome still is a perfect fit http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif. Go get him Doug.