Kosuke Fukudome in 2008?

[jacksonianmarch]

If a trade of Manny Ramirez and the addition of Fukudome makes the Red Sox a better overall team, why is it a ridiculous option?

 

I'm not saying trade Manny. But if we do, and upgrade in other areas, and then go after a guy like Fukudome, why is that an awful thing? The guy puts up a .900 OPS!

 

No one can replace Mann'ys production. No one. But Manny won't be a Red Sox forever.

 

people have trouble with this realization.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

The guy puts up a .900 OPS!

 

...in Japan...

[jacksonianmarch]

which still makes him an .800+OPS guy in the MLB most likely.

[riverside sluggers]

When his oblique heals' date=' I suggest anyone who thinks these guys can't contribute watch Akinori Iwamura on the DRays. From what I've read, Kosuke has his type of game, and Iwamura is solid ball player. I'd love to have that guy on the team.[/quote']

 

Agreed, I was yearning for the Sox to win the rights to talk to Iwamura. The D-Rays won it for just like $3.5 million I believe.

[jacksonianmarch]

Iwamura swings like Ichiro and is a goddamn pest. He is already a yankee killer and will be a nice trading chip come the deadline. Kid can rake and play one hell of a 3b.

[ORS]

Why would the DRays trade him? He can play and he's cheap, which is exactly what they need.

[jacksonianmarch]

Why would the DRays trade him? He can play and he's cheap' date=' which is exactly what they need.[/quote']

 

he is an offensive piece who could be very highly sought after. Especially if pitching went the other way. The Rays offense is good enough.

[TheKilo]

One of the B's/Lowell for Iwamura?

 

[jacksonianmarch]

One of the B's/Lowell for Iwamura?

 

 

Lowell is more powerful than Iwamura. And one of the B's has fallen on some serious hard times. Daniel Bard is showing that ceiling is only useful if it is attainable.

[ORS]

I doubt they have any interest in Lowell. Especially with Longoria waiting in the wings. He's putting up a .299/.421/.532 line in AA right now. Tampa needs pitching and pitching only. Look at the ridiculousness of the young lineup they could field next year, even if they trade Iwamura:

 

CF - Baldelli

SS - Brignac

LF - Crawford

RF - Young

DH - Dukes

3B - Longoria

C - Navarro

2B - Upton

 

All that's missing is a mashing 1B, and Wiggington ain't it. That's the only position they need help at, IMO.

[CrespoBlows]

I doubt they have any interest in Lowell. Especially with Longoria waiting in the wings. He's putting up a .299/.421/.532 line in AA right now. Tampa needs pitching and pitching only. Look at the ridiculousness of the young lineup they could field next year, even if they trade Iwamura:

 

CF - Baldelli

SS - Brignac

LF - Crawford

RF - Young

DH - Dukes

3B - Longoria

C - Navarro

2B - Upton

 

All that's missing is a mashing 1B, and Wiggington ain't it. That's the only position they need help at, IMO.

 

Guzman could probably play 1st, or they could shift Longoria over from 3B. Bankston could probably help as well.

[riverside sluggers]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com

Mike Plugh On Kosuke Fukudome

Mike Plugh is a Japanese baseball guru, and he's writing quite a bit these days. I first caught on to his reading with the Matsuzaka Watch. He also has a Yankees blog called Canyon of Heroes, and has been featured at Baseball Prospectus regularly.

 

Following my April 29th post on Japanese right fielder Kosuke Fukudome, I asked Mike whether he thought Fukudome could play third base or center field capably. Not only did Mike answer that question, but he gave some interesting background on Fukudome in general. His thoughts are below.

 

On which positions Fukudome could play:

 

Fukudome would be an excellent Red Sox outfielder, and he'd hit a million doubles in that park. His days as an infielder are finished, but I think he could play any of the outfield positions. He's best in right though. Center would be an option, but not the most attractive one from a defensive standpoint.

 

What we can expect offensively:

 

He is an on base machine with power to the gaps. He won't be a home run slugger, but he'll be standing on first or second base after about 40% of his plate appearances.

 

On Fukudome's personality and attitude:

 

He's a competitor too. Kind of a throwback guy. No dyed hair, jewelry, image enhancements. Buzz cut, square jaw, intense eyes. Not that those things make you a good or bad player, but fans will be turned on by his serious approach.

 

On possible interested teams:

 

I think it's premature to say who is or who isn't interested in Fukudome. I happened to know that several MLB clubs are going to make a serious run at him. I can't say who those teams are for confidentiality reasons, but it will be a multi-team battle for his services. He should command in the $12-15 million range over 3 or 4 years. It will be a very good buy for whichever team he chooses. The Red Sox would benefit from the additional TV coverage they'd receive, but a lot of clubs would like to break into the Japanese market and have scouts over here on a permanent basis.

[example1]

Nice. Sounds similar to JD Drew in the "power but not too much power, high OBP, good fielder" mold.

[ANiMAL]

Lets just make the Red Sox team Japan. Lets go after Ichiro next year, trade for Jojima, and pick up Igawa on waivers in 2 months.

[jacksonianmarch]

 

take a look at this homerun. This guy has some serious power.

[SCM33]

 

take a look at this homerun. This guy has some serious power.

 

You should know first hand that power wont translate. Just look at your very own Godzilla. 50 HR a year over there = 25 a year here.

[BSN07]

Nice shot, but that pitcher was crap. The Japan players loose alot of power when they come here. So I don't think he will be putting up the same numbers here. He still might be a 20-25 HR guy which isnt bad, but hes not a 35-40 threat.

[jacksonianmarch]

You should know first hand that power wont translate. Just look at your very own Godzilla. 50 HR a year over there = 25 a year here.

 

Oh I know that. I think Fukudome will be a 20HR hitter kind of guy with tons of doubles.

[schillingouttheks]

Okay okay. If you want to continue this "initiation" of Khan, please continue it in Fights and Crap. Thanks.

 

Back to Fukurmama or whatever his name is.

[BSN07]

Thanks Schill, Was hoping one of you guys would do that.

 

I think Fukudome will be another Matsui. Which might not be to bad at the right price. But we have a loaded OF depth wise and don't need another. The whole trading Manny will come up again, but I don't thtink you replace Manny with Fukudome. He might be good if the Sox get another good bat to go along with him. Taking to good hitters and replace 1 really good one wouldn't be that bad to the lineup. I'm not advocating we trade Manny, just putting out scenarios.

[Cocos Disciples]

Fukudome is having elbow surgery.

 

http://www.japanball.com/news.phtml?id=10268

[jacksonianmarch]

Fukudome is having elbow surgery.

 

http://www.japanball.com/news.phtml?id=10268

 

he'll be fine for the 08 season.

[TheKilo]

Bump.

 

BoSox34 was a goddamned moron.