Ok, folks, so we can all catch our breaths. Unless the Nationals sign that hit-and-run guy booted out of the NPB, all the big name Japanese players headed for the majors next season have been inked to contracts. Now it’s your turn to tell us, do the Dodgers have a bonafide No. 3 in Kuroda Hiroki? Will Fukudome Kosuke be worth the nearly $50MM price tag he comes with? Or is it possible that one of the less expensive signings – Fukumori Kazuo, Yabuta Yasuhiko, or Kobayashi Masa — will become the Okajima of 2008?
Please join us in the comments section where we’ll be sharing our thoughts on what has been a very intriguing go-round.
[poll=2]
8 responses so far ↓
1 A.S. // Dec 17, 2007 at 9:14 am
I have to go with Kuroda here. He’s expensive, had a down year in 2007, but I think moving from a stadium that’s 300 ft. down the left and right field lines, to a stadium that’s 330 ft. down the lines, will make a big difference. I think he can win 15 games for a Dodger team that I expect will challenge for the division (despite themsevles).
I like the Kobayashi signing as well. He’s going to a good team that already has a solid bullpen. He’ll be slipped into games in the 6th or 7th prior to Betnacourt and Perez…not much pressure there, unless Borowski implodes, which is always possible.
I think Fukudome will eventually succeed in MLB but probably not this year and maybe not even next year. And when he does succeed he’ll be more of a role player, a tough out in the No. 2 or 6 hole. I don’t think he can ever justify that price tag. Just at Kevin Towers said, he’s a Brian Giles type of player. A nice piece if your team wins. But at 50mil, it’s a huge risk.
2 Jon // Dec 17, 2007 at 10:53 am
I’m no expert on things like this, but I’d have to say that with the neat protction clause the Rangers worked into their contract with Kaz Fukumori, (which will reduce their commitment to 1 year deal if he spends more than 30 days on the DL next year), their’s is the lowest risk/highest reward signing of the bunch. I do think the Kosuke Fukudome signing should be good for the Cubs, but it has the potential to turn into a huge bust if he’s not worth all $50 Million Dollars.
3 Brian Kringle // Dec 17, 2007 at 11:35 am
Thats a good point about the Fukumori deal. I didn’t know that. That’s almost risk-free.
I went ahead and voted for Fukudome. Biggest risk, most money, but he’s clearly the best player. Kuroda’s 2007 throws up a big red flag for me. His deal isn’t cheap either, esp in the post-Igawa era.
4 John Brooks // Dec 17, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I voted for Kuroda as well. Moving from the bandbox of a stadium in Hiroshima to a pitchers park such as Dodger Stadium can only help Kuroda even more.
As for Fukudome, I like him to as a player and think he’ll do very well. Though I don’t expect him to play like a hybrid of Ichiro and Godzilla. Sorry. If Cubs fans expect him to be on those levels, I’m afraid there in for a disappointment. I expect him to be more around the .300 average, .380 OBP range, with doubles power, and good speed.
I like the chances of Kobayashi and Yabuta, but overall I don’t see them making a big impact as Kuroda and Fukudome. They’ll help strengthen both bullpens, but won’t make as big impact as the two I mentioned.
5 armz dealer // Dec 18, 2007 at 6:35 am
What? No Yabu on the list? My Giants are not going to like this!! :b
6 John Brooks // Dec 18, 2007 at 6:52 am
Yeah, what gives with no Yabu on this list? I mean Brian Sabean should be commended for his ineptness right?
7 jackson // Dec 18, 2007 at 6:39 pm
I went with Kuroda myself. Any time you land a pitcher of that caliber you have to be giddy.
8 IronChef // Dec 19, 2007 at 1:43 am
I’m going with Yabuta. It’s a cheap deal, he doesn’t have a history of Kobayashi theatre.
Leave a Comment