Kosuke Fukudome

Hoffpauir undoubtedly has a future with the Cubs, and will certainly be up again when the rosters expand, but this call-up (barring further injuries or a setback to Soriano’s rehab) is likely a brief one, and doesn’t indicate much more than the Cubs’ desire to use Hoffpauir as the first guy they look to call up when filling a need for their outfield bench. With their big swap for Rich Harden already finished, there aren’t any more big trades likely down the pike for Chicago.

Continue reading "Roster Tinkering: What's it Mean?"

Finally, I can excuse Ken Griffey Jr. from a sentimentalist’s perspective, but Kosuke Fukudome? This strikes me as a clear indication of ballot-box-stuffing on the part of our good friends in the Wrigley Field bleachers and from across the pond. Fukudome, (he of the 6 HR and 34 RBI) gives it his all and plays a decent right field; admirable qualities that endear him to the large swath of baseball aficionados. But fans, let us not confuse our all-hustle team with our all-star team. Would not this position have been better suited for Carlos Lee (.278, 18, 62)?

Continue reading "All-Star foppery"

And one of the biggest names coming into MLB this season is Kosuke Fukudome, the right fielder who's at the heart of the Cubs' impressive lineup this year, and one of the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year. If he receives this award, he'd follow in the footsteps of countrymen Hideo Nomo, Ichiro Suzuki, and Kaz Sasaki (Hideki Matsui was edged out by Angel Berroa, a laughable omission in hindsight). And like all of them, Fukudome isn't "really" a rookie.

Continue reading "Japanese Rookies of the Year"

Lance Berkman

MVP

Matt Holiday or Lance Berkman

CY YOUNG WINNER

Roy Oswalt

TOP FLOPSKosuke FukudomeMiguel TejadaJohan Santana?

 COMEBACK SPECIAL

Mark Prior will regain

Continue reading "2008 Major League Baseball Preview: ..."