Thanks to MLBTR-
Cubs Willing To Offer $50MM For Fukudome?
UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 10:48am: Just talked to a good source on this stuff. He told me Fukudome wants five years, despite what we've read. The Cubs don't expect he'll sign for $50MM for five years, and are offering that amount over four. They're having an internal debate about stretching it to a five-year, $65MM offer. Jim Hendry wants to stop at four years though.
FROM 12-11-07 at 10:03am:
Interesting piece of information from Tom Krasovic today - he says the Cubs are willing to offer close to $50MM for Kosuke Fukudome. They really want this guy and have built their offseason plan around him.
It's hard to believe the Cubs would offer that amount for three years; that would be $16.6MM annually to someone who's never played in the Majors. I could definitely see the Cubs putting out a four-year, $50MM offer though. Who knows how much validity there is to the idea that Fukudome wants three years and only three years.
The Padres have gone at least three years and at least $10MM annually, but it could be more on both accounts. Kevin Towers says the team's offer was final. He sees Fukudome landing in Chicago or San Diego. That might mean he considers the White Sox to be in the mix as well.
Sounds like the Cubs are doing whatever it takes to get Fukudome. I would expect Hendry to go to 5 years 70 million for the free agent slugger. The Pads seem they are firm on there offer and that's good news for Cub fans. The Giants have been rumored to make a late push but are also going after Rowand, so who knows if there serious.
It is rumored that we will hear something late tonight on Fukudomes choice, but as the previous rumors indicate, that timeline will probably fluctuate.
2 comments:
I heard on Comcast that the Pads are going up to 70 mil. I dont think the Cubs are going to beat that.
I dont think the Cubs should go 5 years on Fuku. As you know... I'm always worried about the inconsistent stats translation from Japan to the US. And the Cubs under Hendry have taken a hard line on 5 year deals. I know Fuku fills exactly what the Cubs are looking for and that there isnt much else out there on the FA market, but Fuku is still unproven and I would think it would rub guys like Rammy and D Lee the wrong way after they had to compromise to get to their current deals. Even if Fuku wants the 5th year, from the rumors out there, it looks like the Cubs total dollar amount for four years would still blow away the total dollar amount that a team like the Padres would offer on a 5 year deal.
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