thoughts on free agents

by sniddlycubbie on Dec 19, 2007 7:49 PM CST

with the signing of Kosuke Fukudome official today it got me wondering who, if anyone, is a japanese born player that is a free agent. after looking I found that indeed three are available, and two could help and the third wouldnt be bad on a minor league deal as a just in case. They are So Taguchi, Akinori Otsuka and Tomo Ohka. The only reason I suggest any of them would be to make Kosuke's transition easier by having a fellow japanese speaking teammate. so the question is do you want any of those three on the 2008 cubs team.

I think Taguchi would be a great fourth or fifth outfielder and can play all three spots and has some good speed. I think if the price is right an arm like Otsuka could be a valuable pen arm, even if he misses some early time from healing the injured elbow. And finally Ohka as a minor league arm with major league experience helps Iowa, helps Kosuke during spring training, and helps the cubs if they are faced with a major injury or huge hole in the rotation.

I would imagine that So and Tomo could be signed to deals for a combined 2 million with So getting 1.3 or 1.4 of that and Otsuka could be had for maybe 2 years 4 or 5 guarenteed with all sorts of options obtainable plateaus.

Poll

who if any do you want on the 2008 cubs? choose all that aplly

taguchi

12 votes

otsuka

41 votes

ohka

0 votes

none

23 votes

76 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Otsuka Would Be Good

If hes healthy, he was a great closer for a year in Texas, which is no small feat in that park, but theres a lot of speculation about his elbow, but he would be a huge help, particularly if some of the arms in the pen are dealt for a certain roid using second baseman

Back to Back to Back AAU National Champion

by bren on Dec 19, 2007 7:54 PM CST reply actions

I think the idea of a companion...

makes alot of sense, but that bullpen is looking mighty crowded right about now. I'd hope that Taguchi would get a look before Spring Training, but who knows.

As an aside though, I wouldn't worry too much about it. With 50 million in his pocket, Kosuke can bring his whole damn entourage over from Japan if he wants to.

by Damen Jackson on Dec 19, 2007 8:02 PM CST reply actions

Yes on talent, No on companionship

If you want to sign any of these FAs based on talent and filling a team need, fine - go for it, although I don't think we need any of them. Fuld, EPat, or even Pagan (if healthy) can probably equal anything So can do. And at this point, we have more than enough arms of Otsuka/Ohka caliber (mid-level relief, swing/long men, #4-5 starters). Obviously if a Roberts or Bedard deal goes through, some holes may open up.

But to sign them based on providing cultural companionship for Kosuke? Sorry, I just don't think it's necessary for two reasons.

First, based on today's press conference, it looks like Kosuke doesn't know English well enough to go it alone, so he will probably have his interpreter around for awhile. I saw this last year at Tampa's spring training - Akinori Iwamura had an interpreter buddy in camp. Playing catch, stretches, running, all the while engaging teammates/coaches in banter, jokes, instruction, etc. Looked like everyone got along fine.

Second, I have faith in a vast majority of the Cubs players and coaches to bridge whatever language/cultural gaps may exist and make Kosuke feel welcome. For starters, Soriano played in Japan, Lou coached Ichiro, and Lee's father and uncle played in Japan. DeRosa, Theriot, and Wood lead the team in "intangibles" and I'm sure Dempster (if he's still here) knows how to pull a prank in 42 different languages. I've heard ARam's not as quiet and moody as he seems. Really, the only position player I'd be concerned about is Pie. And that's only because I think he's going to have his hands full trying to win the CF job and will be putting a lot of pressure on himself.

As for the pitchers... hey, once they see that arm and glove, I don't think there'll be any problems getting along.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 19, 2007 9:02 PM CST reply actions

Well said.

Fukudome appeared to me, during the press conference, to have a real good understanding of his place in major league baseball, of what the Cubs are, of what expectations are for him, and though I originally thought signing a Japanese teammate for him might be a good idea, I no longer think so. Doing so just to do it is pointless. If there is an actual need for the specific player, then, sure.

That said, Otsuka might be worth investigating. The others, not so much.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 19, 2007 11:04 PM CST up reply actions

He (Kosuke) has even stated that one of the

reasons he chose the Cubs was because he'd be the first Japanese player on the team. Not sure if he wants or cares if there is another Japanese player there. Not worth making a move unless it is a good one from a team standpoint. He doesn't need a bud and I'm sure the Cubs would provide him with whomever he needs to get acclimated.

"Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?"

by Jettero2112 on Dec 20, 2007 7:20 AM CST up reply actions

Taguchi is a last ditch option

and only if Murton gets traded. The ball club does need a 4th OF and we don't have it in the minors. Hendry himself said he would prefer to have a right-handed bat that can play all OF positions. Murton can't play CF, but I think having a plan where Soriano starts in LF, Pie starts in CF against righties, Fukudome starts in center field against lefties and right field against rigties, and Murton starts in right field against lefties produces the highest OPS for the ball club.

From what I understand, Eric Patterson can only play LF and he bats left-handed. Please please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's the case and with Soriano on the team, you can't be the fourth OF if you can only play LF. Fuld can play all OF positions, but his offense is a huge question mark. He has a great eye, but I think he needs some time in Iowa. He also bats left-handed. If Hendry thought any of these lefty guys were ready to play RF, he wouldn't have signed Fukudome. Last, don't count on Pagan to do anything. He has no track record of being healthy. Think of him as a much less talented Mark Prior with a bat.

Taguchi would not be a terrible one year signing if Murton is traded because Tyler Colvin might be ready by 2009 or Fuld and Patterson may surprise. Overall you are right though, it would not be bright to have 4% of the roster mainly dedicated to making Fukudome feel comfortable.

by IllinoisCubs on Dec 19, 2007 11:36 PM CST up reply actions

re: Yes on talent, No on companionship

I agree. Another danger to signing a Japanese player only to serve as a "companion" for Fukudome (besides more than likely wasting a roster spot, of course) is it might inadvertantly lead Kosuke and this, uh, significant other to socially isolate themselves from the rest of the team. I have to believe that most, if not all, current Cubs players are thrilled to have him on the team and will do whatever it takes to make him feel comfortable. This is made even more likely by the fact that, when it comes to playing right field, he really has no competition.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Dec 20, 2007 10:17 AM CST up reply actions

fukudome said he liked

the idea of being the first japenese player on the cubs. we dont want to take that away from him.

PIE!!!

by LilLPLancer23 on Dec 19, 2007 9:50 PM CST reply actions

In Retrospect...

... thank goodness we "struck out" on Kazuo Matsui.

This may also explain why we didn't press Kuroda any more? It may have had something to do with it, but I would imagine that he got too expensive for his age and his 3-4 starter stuff.

This is the Cubs new #1!

by initram on Dec 19, 2007 10:47 PM CST up reply actions

This

"but I would imagine that he got too expensive for his age and his 3-4 starter stuff."

This

by IllinoisCubs on Dec 19, 2007 11:37 PM CST up reply actions

Someone else pointed out that it could have been

a polite way for Fukudome to say he didn't want to play for losing teams (Rangers and White Sox) and the Padres didn't offer enough money.

I pointed out that the Cubs had already signed Mac Suzuki in 2006 and he never made it to the majors.

In addition, the poster pointed out the Cubs signed Nomo to a minor league contract in 99 I believe but it was very short and he didn't play for the major league team.

by IllinoisCubs on Dec 19, 2007 11:14 PM CST up reply actions

i know hed still be the first,

but i dont think he wants to share it. thats what i meant to say.

PIE!!!

by LilLPLancer23 on Dec 19, 2007 9:58 PM CST reply actions

He has a Japanese speaking teammate

Soriano speaks Japanese. It's probably a little rusty, but he was reportedly fluent in Japanese when he left Hiroshima for the Yankees in 1997.

Derrek Lee knows a little from when he lived in Japan as a kid. But from his own admission, he doesn't remember much.

The artist formerly known as JoshinLA

by Josh Timmers on Dec 20, 2007 2:51 AM CST reply actions

So Taguchi

is pretty solid defensively, and had a pretty nice year in 2007.

He is going to be 39 in July, and even though it is a nice thought to pay for a buddy for FUKU, unless there is not a better option, I would be hard-pressed to imagine Hendry pulling the trigger on this guy.

If the Cubs do not trade for Brian Roberts, perhaps there would be a slim chance. But, I'd still rather have Kenny Lofton on the bench than So Taguchi if I HAD to choose to spend another $Mil or two.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Dec 20, 2007 8:23 AM CST reply actions

Wow

I had no idea Taguchi was that old. He's always looked about 14 to me. And it looks like he'll be 38 in July, not 39. But still, if we're going to sign an older guy, we might as well give Finley a look.

(That's a joke.)

by JodyDavis on Dec 20, 2007 12:13 PM CST up reply actions

Otsuka

has always been interesting to me. Seems like he could help if he's healthy, no matter how crowded our bullpen is. He's a guy that I would take a chance on.

Not so much with Taguchi or Ohka, though to be honest I'd rather have Ohka slotted as our #5 than Dempster. Seriously, I was a lot more comfortable with Dempster as closer than as a starter. Closing is overrated and consists of throwing much fewer innings, I don't care how highly leveraged the situation is. Would you rather have a pitcher that puts up a 4.70 era in 60 innings or a pitcher that puts up a 4.70 in 180 innings? Of course Ohka might not even be able to keep his era under 5.00 anymore but you get my point, I'm not comfortable with Dempster in the rotation.

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Dec 20, 2007 10:50 AM CST reply actions

Sign Clemens

(P.S. JUST JOKING!)

I'd take Roberts over any of those Japanese players or, for that matter, probably any other infielder right now. I think he'd fit in perfectly.

"Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?"

by Jettero2112 on Dec 20, 2007 12:11 PM CST reply actions

Cameron better option as 3rd-4th OF'er

Mlbtrade rumors are saying Taguchi is being considered from ESPN radio.

This insinuates that Murton is moving to the fire sale part of the trading block. Who needs a LF filler who might hit 300 and hit 15 HR's?

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Dec 20, 2007 12:56 PM CST reply actions

I would think someone may want him

the problem is this; he is a below average fielder and baserunner, which offsets some of his potential offense.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Dec 20, 2007 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

re: Cameron better option as 3rd-4th OF'er

How committed are the Padres to Scott Hairston? I'm not overly familiar with the guy, but it seems like Murton would be an upgrade. I'm not sure who the Cubs would ask for. I hear they may sign this young phenom named Prior. (I keed, I keed!)

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Dec 20, 2007 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

Get him a puppy or kitten

If he needs a companion.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Dec 20, 2007 4:17 PM CST reply actions

Otsuka

Could be the designated rehabber, travel with the team, not count as being the Cubs' first Japanese player because he's not on the active roster, and perhaps be available when one of the arms who breaks camps melts down later in the season.

Why not?

by Seamer on Dec 20, 2007 10:46 PM CST reply actions

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thoughts on free agents

who if any do you want on the 2008 cubs? choose all that aplly

taguchi

otsuka

ohka

none

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