Fukmedome? Fukudome!
If indeed the Phillies can't or won't re-sign Aaron Rowand, we'd love to see them take a shot at this guy.
The 30-year-old Fukudome is regarded as one of the best outfielders in Japanese professional baseball. He was a key member of the Japanese team that won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March 2006.
He had surgery on his right elbow in August and sat out the Japan Series, but has 192 homers and a .305 batting average over nine seasons with the Dragons, who won their first title in 53 years on Nov. 2.
Of course, he'll probably want $10-$13 mil a season... so the Phils aren't likely to be in the bidding.
>>Fukudome files for free agency [SI.com]
I'd be the first to order a Fukudome jersey off of mlb.com if the Phils inked him.
Posted by: Mike | Monday, November 12, 2007 at 10:30 AM
There are rumours that Fukudome will put "Kosuke" on the back of an MLB jersey, a la Ichiro Suzuki
Posted by: Richie Rich | Monday, November 12, 2007 at 11:16 AM
In the '90s, wasn't the Fukudome right next to the F.U. Center, where the Sixers and Flyers played?
Posted by: will | Monday, November 12, 2007 at 03:46 PM
We better offer Rowand a contract. What the hell is going on in every Front Office in this city. The Eagles used to be a model franchise on the personnel front, now they've got two DE busts sitting on large cash who don't even play (check last game against DC) and I'm not even going to talk about the Sixers...
Posted by: Cliff | Monday, November 12, 2007 at 04:32 PM
Maybe Gillick can also coax Doug Glanville out of retirement to act as Fukudome's interpreter. I'm telling you, the quotes will be awesome.
Posted by: Baker Bowl | Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 01:15 AM