Fukudome Set for major Payday

Fukudome Set for
Major Pay Day
Staff Writer Matt Sanders
Kosuke Fukudome, a former Japanese baseball star, is set for a major payday this winter.
Several teams, mainly the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians, are offering big bucks for the rookie outfielder.
“I already think I am a WS contender. I do think [the potential addition of Fukudome] will help though.” Boston General Manager Chris Senatra said.
Fukudome has offers in the eight million range as of now, a step up from Cleveland’s three million dollar offer only a few days ago.
The Cubs appear to be in the greatest need of an outfielder out of the three potential homes for Fukudome, with Jeremy Hermida, Josh Willingham, and Shane Victorino playing the outfield. The Cubs GM refused to comment.
Chicago, with its cap room and need of outfielders, appears to be the front runner for now, even though Boston has the largest offer on the table, 8.1 million dollars.
But should I a player who hasn’t played an Inning in the Untied States receive so much cash?
“I think the [teams bidding for him] are jumping on the [Japanese player] bandwagon late and are more likely to get the next Irabu rather than the next Ichiro.” Houston GM Brad Atkinson said.
As Atkinson said, the chances of Fukudome spawning the next Ichiro is slim, but big market teams such as Boston and Chicago have room for the risk.