Fukudome Article Translated

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2007 1:57 PM CST in Chicago Cubs News

Last Sunday, I made a post that used Google Translate to give a loose translation of an "open letter" I had written to Kosuke Fukudome; the results were at best comical, at worst potentially insulting to Japanese people -- this according to a couple of my email correspondents. For any perceived insult, I offer my sincere apologies -- none was intended.

To avoid such problems in the future, I posted this link to the Nikkansports article posted in Japan yesterday, and asked if anyone could translate it properly for me.

I have received an email from a BCB reader whose girlfriend, who speaks Japanese, offered to translate the article. Here's her translation (translated "loosely", she says), followed by my analysis:

Fukudome says no to Giants

He has decided to go abroad to MLB. After practicing at Nagoya Field he spoke to press. Candidates include Cubs, Padres, and White Sox. After he declines the Giants offer he will decide which MLB team he will play for this month.

When asked "Are you going to the Major Leagues". He said, "There are a lot of reports about me, but I can't say whether the reports are right or wrong."

After talking about his options with Joe Urbon he is leaning towards playing in the MLB.

"Which team? I can't say now but let me think about it a little bit more, and I will decide."

After the winter meetings first candidate is the Cubs so far. Manager Lou Piniella said he is like a cross between Ichiro and Hideki Matsui. According to US reports the Cubs are preparing 60 million for 5 years. West coast Padres, White Sox, Red Sox, and Royals are all interested.

"This is not only my issue, it is about my family and my environment, and also how much they desire to have me play for them." There is a Japanese community in Chicago so it seems like he will be okay with that environment.

Judgment is very close. He will talk with his family this month to help decide which team to play for.

Here's how I read it, and my thoughts echo what Josh said in the very first comment to the post below: the fact that Fukudome "can't say" whether the reports are "right or wrong" probably means that he has NOT, in fact, formally sat down with Yomiuri Giants management to decline their offer. This is confirmed, mostly, by what is said in the first paragraph of the translation ("After he declines the Giants offer"), which implies he has not yet done so, and to say anything publicly about coming to MLB without doing so would, likely, be considered rude. This is strictly my opinion.

Anyway, based on the rest of the translation, it seems as if the Cubs are indeed the front-runner. The only city mentioned is Chicago, which would probably make the White Sox the runners-up -- and I have to believe Jim Hendry would trump any offer Kenny Williams would or could make (the article says 5/60 -- that's more years than I had heard before, but the amount per year is certainly in the ballpark).

Bet you'd never thought you'd be spending a Sunday afternoon parsing the nuances of a translated article from a Japanese newspaper.

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Comments

No, but I used to do it...

...on weekdays.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 9, 2007 1:41 PM CST reply actions

FWIW....

... if you like looking at big numbers, $60 million is, at today's exchange rate, approximately 6,696,590,400 yen.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2007 1:45 PM CST reply actions

My only time in Japan

cir. 1985, there were 244yen to the Dollar!

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

by TheEman on Dec 9, 2007 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

Any insights

The eeman any insights although it was 22 years ago into some of the differences between there and here that might shed some light onto the situation?

I have gotten some from my brother and his wifes sister in law as outlined below but anything from your experiencs?

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 1:58 PM CST up reply actions

My brother

My brother lived over there for 2 1/2 years and speaks fluent Japanese.

He's given me some insight into the culture and some of the things that make a pursuit of Fukudome different from a pursuit of an american player.

I also attended a Hannukah dinner at my sister in laws fathers house last night. Her brother's wife is Japanese and everyone is huge Cub fans and she also offered some insight.

Fukudome is probably offering proper respect to the Yomuri Giants and wants to make sure all that is covered.

Respect and honor are very very important in their culture.

Not that it isn't here but it's different over there.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 1:57 PM CST reply actions

Culture

I find it refreshing that a professional athlete would pay so much attention to respect for his suitors. I know it's part of the influence of Japanese culture, but I sure wish our athletes treated ML teams, managers, opponents in this manner...

"Look, what's important is to be in first place on the last day of the season." -Lou 8/1/07

by 26.2cubfan on Dec 9, 2007 2:06 PM CST reply actions

Yes. I would agree

the honor and respect thing is huge.

The cultural dofferences are still huge. Imagine a country without GUNS?! That is just the beginning.

The summer high-school national baseball tournament is akin to March Madness here. It is HUGE!

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

by TheEman on Dec 9, 2007 2:15 PM CST reply actions

High school baseball tournament...

...sounds awesome. Probably so much fun to watch. From a marketing standpoint, however, I bet ESPN would kill all the fun outta it.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 9, 2007 3:45 PM CST up reply actions

It's interesting

that despite playing for Chunici his entire career, he is obligated to sit down and formally reject an offer from Yomiuri.

Wait until he gets here and gets shot the bird while driving down Lake Shore Drive. But since he made only about $3.5M last year, he can probably afford to tint his windows.

We don't need Matsui Kaz he ain't Fuku.

by tharr on Dec 9, 2007 2:59 PM CST reply actions

Driving?

He could always borrow Alfonso Soriano's orange Hummer. No one's going to flip the bird at THAT car.

Well, except for it being ugly and all.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2007 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

Orange Hummer?

Wow. It seems Sori prefers the low profile approach for dealing with paparazzi.

We didn't need Matsui Kaz he ain't Fuku.

by tharr on Dec 9, 2007 3:56 PM CST up reply actions

i thought the hummer was blue.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Dec 9, 2007 4:25 PM CST up reply actions

He's got both

He's got an orange one and a blue one. Exact same vehicle, even down to the "Soriano 21" emblem on the hood" just different colors. He's also got a black bentley.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Dec 9, 2007 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

Oh cool

We were on the Edens and saw a woman driving an orange hummer with Soriano 21. Probably was the Misses.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 5:56 PM CST up reply actions

A few questions...

...Anyone remember how much players like Ichiro, Matsui, or Kaz were offered for their first MLB contracts? I am having difficulty finding contract information for MLB - maybe someone can direct me. Doesn't seem to be anything official on the MLB website.

Seems like 60/5 is a lot for someone that's 31 and never played at this level. Then again, a Ichiro+Matsui comparison is quite attractive. Only a few weeks ago we were talking 3/40.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 9, 2007 3:11 PM CST reply actions

3/40...

... is actually MORE per year than 5/60.

Also, keep in mind it's not the ability of the player only that moves the market this way. Look at the Linebrink and Gagne contracts, for example. This year's market seems almost more nuts than last year's.

Thus a direct comparison with the other Japanese players' first year contracts isn't really fair, since they were signed several years ago.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2007 3:25 PM CST up reply actions

Sure...

...it is more if you're going by yearly salary (barely), but I was more concerned about the $20,000,000 million extra and the two years. And I understand that with each subsequent off-season, acquisitions become more and more outrageous. I am just trying to think of at least some baseline from which we can judge how much he "should" get paid. Quite ambiguous, I know.

Any contract sites anyone likes? I would like to reference one and bookmark it for future use. Thanks.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 9, 2007 3:44 PM CST up reply actions

MLB Contracts Website

This one is a good one - one that is often referenced.

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/

Often times they update it the days transactions happen. For instance, you will see Eric Gagne on the Brewers payroll.

This is who I think the Cubs #1 should be...

by initram on Dec 10, 2007 9:56 AM CST up reply actions

Really impossible to compare

because the sport is so awash with cash over the past three or four years. Salaries have rocketed as the cash keeps rolling in.

Also, Suzuki was posted like Matsuzaka and was limited to negotiating with the Mariners.

Matsui seems to have gotten 3 years/$21 million with the "no arbitration" clause at the end of the contract in 2003. That's the most comparable signing.

The artist formerly known as JoshinLA

by Josh Timmers on Dec 9, 2007 5:48 PM CST up reply actions

backloaded?

in today's market, 12 mil a year doesnt seem so bad, but if it is backloaded like some of our other multiyear multimillion dollar contracts what is going to happen in five years from now with our payroll?

*diehard cubs fan from northern manitoba, canada

by hoppy91 on Dec 9, 2007 6:53 PM CST up reply actions

If the Cubs...

... win the World Series between now and then, with the team they're attempting to build, I don't care.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2007 7:41 PM CST up reply actions

100 years would be...

...a GREAT marketing ploy, wouldn't it? I'm sure MLB would support this...

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 9, 2007 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

Everybody always brings this up...

...but a lot of these backloaded deals tend to be better value in their later years than you'd expect, because "baseball inflation" is much more dramatic than regular inflation.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 9, 2007 7:48 PM CST up reply actions

Perfect example of this.

Jacque Jones' deal, which seemed outrageously expensive at the time, was dealable easily this offseason because it doesn't seem that high based on the current market.

In another year the Cubs might be able to deal Jason Marquis for the same reason.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2007 8:14 PM CST up reply actions

Same here...

if they manage to build a team to win it all, I'm all for it.

Fuko's Dragons won a title for the first time in 53 yrs, he could do the same here...

You ARE freaking out MAN!

by crw89 on Dec 10, 2007 8:46 AM CST up reply actions

Cot's Baseball Contracts

Dan, here is a great reference for MLB contracts.

Cot's Baseball Contracts

Click on the team link on left side.

by flachimesa on Dec 9, 2007 8:27 PM CST up reply actions

THANK YOU

All my life's goals have now been accomplished. Sans the World Series title, of course.

This site should prove helpful in future bar arguments with my friends.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 9, 2007 10:11 PM CST up reply actions

I'm going to post this link...

... under "General Baseball Links" on the left sidebar. Thanks!

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2007 4:12 AM CST up reply actions

Yomiuri Giants withdrew their offer

This article at Japanball.com makes it sound as if the Yomiuri Giants have withdrawn their offer to Fukudome, perhaps even before the player was able to make his honorable, respectful "no thanks" visit.

http://www.japanball.com/news.phtml?id=11313

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Dec 9, 2007 4:23 PM CST reply actions

What Does This Mean?

Is this a customary thing to withdraw and offer?

A better question is whether or not Fukudome had a chance to talk with the Giants formally or not.

FWIW, often times verb tenses can be "lost in translation". Hard to tell from the translation above if he did talk with them vs. planning to talk with them.

This is who I think the Cubs #1 should be...

by initram on Dec 10, 2007 10:01 AM CST up reply actions

I've been thinking

...which can be a really dangerous thing sometimes. I digress already.

Here's a reckless theory and any thoughts you have on it are welcome: The White Sox and (especially) the Padres know they're not going to land Fukudome, so what they're really doing is driving up the price and tightening the Cubs' payroll. This wouldn't make much tactical sense as far as the Sox go, but since the Padres and Cubs are both potential post-season contenders, the Padres would have a reason to screw our beloved Cubbies over.

Do you all think there's any validity to this wild speculation?

by Rev Gunia on Dec 9, 2007 4:51 PM CST reply actions

I'm sure

that the Padres and White Sox has no intention of letting the Cubs get Fukudome at any sort of discount.

But they honestly want him to play for them too. I don't think they believe there is no chance that they can land Fukudome.

The artist formerly known as JoshinLA

by Josh Timmers on Dec 9, 2007 5:38 PM CST up reply actions

Wouldn't

such a maneuver on the part of the Padres and Sox create more contract inflation for all and actually hurt the Cubs less? The idea being that 5/60 today would be considered a pretty reasonable price 2-3 years down the road assuming current salary trends continue.

And so it goes.

by Luigi on Dec 9, 2007 6:00 PM CST up reply actions

I hate the

White Sux. I hope Jim blows KW out of the water big time. Go get him Jim!!!!

"But being a nasty hateful person she can't help herself." KOW

by sue369 on Dec 9, 2007 5:06 PM CST reply actions

I never thought any team other

than a coastal city had a chance to land a Japanese star, so I for one, will be happy when this whole Fukudome sweepstakes will be over with.

I never thought our Cubs had a chance (when this whole thing started), but the fact that we are still in the hunt thrills me. I just hope Fukudome turns out to be the stud he appears to be on paper and on video tapes. We need the bat and speed! This sure could help get us to 90+ wins in 2008.

I could use some positive dreamin as I am delayed at LAX...

I can't wait for 2008!

by LAcarl519 on Dec 9, 2007 6:47 PM CST reply actions

Irony

This will be the first foray into the Japanese market for the Cubs.

But they were among the first to tap into the Korean market when they signed Hee Sop Choi.

In a coinkidink the scout who found Choi is Leon Lee, Derrek's father. And of course Choi was traded for Derrek.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 7:34 PM CST reply actions

Dugg...

...for "coinkidink".

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Dec 9, 2007 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

Perotto at BP

says Fukudome prefers the Cubs to the White Sox and that the Cubs are the frontrunner. As backup options, he mentions two names we have heard before - Hamilton and Jenkins - and one I have not heard before - Jason Bay.

All I am saying is give Pie a chance!

by DGU on Dec 9, 2007 9:26 PM CST reply actions

Link, please

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

by TheEman on Dec 9, 2007 9:44 PM CST up reply actions

It's behind

Baseball Prospectus' pay wall. But I can confirm that it does say that Fukudome prefers the Cubs to the White Sox and that the Cubs are the frontrunners.

The artist formerly known as JoshinLA

by Josh Timmers on Dec 9, 2007 10:08 PM CST up reply actions

I just want this to be over

I just want this to be over either way. I really want this to be over with him a Cub but I want it to be over soon.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 10:51 PM CST reply actions

Between your online studder...

and your repetitve nature, I think you have said this A LOT today.

Doesn't this get annoying for you?

MMMMM...Golden shrimp and chicken combo from Ron of Japan!

by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2007 10:52 PM CST up reply actions

Don't know if anyone saw but...

LaTrine is about to become a Yankee. Farns and LaTrine? Yanks like our old scraps huh?

Although, Hawkins wasn't horrible last season.

MMMMM...Golden shrimp and chicken combo from Ron of Japan!

by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2007 10:51 PM CST reply actions

Yeah I saw this...

YAWN.

What brought me a chuckle was reading in MLBTR how the writer called him a "stellar" reliever for the Cubs.

One more reason that site blows chunks...

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

by TheEman on Dec 9, 2007 11:54 PM CST up reply actions

I saw that "stellar" comment, too...

I just figured that it had to be a typo, surely they meant to say cellar season. LOL

by billybuck on Dec 10, 2007 8:00 AM CST up reply actions

Yes!

"Cellar" season. That had to be it. LOL

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

by TheEman on Dec 10, 2007 8:39 AM CST up reply actions

good call

who can forgot Felix Heredia, who eventually convinced the yankees he could still pitch. Oddest looking character, with those pants hiked up, the yellow teeth, slinging the ball who knows where. If there was ever a reliever I had absolutely zero confidence in, it was Felix Heredia.

Kevin Hart Watch: IP: 11 K: 13 ERA: 0.82 WHIP: 1.00 K/BB: 3.25 a productive farm system is a wonderful thing.

by kylejo on Dec 10, 2007 8:22 AM CST up reply actions

Another nightmare

First Al talks about general managers with legal backgrounds which makes me think of Lynch.

Now you bring up Horridia. AAAAHHHH! NOOOO!!!

On the yellow teeth thing it's always amazed me how poor the teeth are of a lot of major leaguers. They make millions why not spend some on some choppers?

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 10, 2007 8:55 AM CST up reply actions

Good point

Even the uber-annoying Ronnie Woo has a new set.

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 10, 2007 9:48 AM CST up reply actions

Which...

... he got for free, in part for BEING annoying.

What a world.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2007 10:02 AM CST up reply actions

Indeed!

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 10, 2007 10:14 AM CST up reply actions

AL

Don't you see my whole point of being a twit here is hoping you'll all get together and pay for my dental work.

Had a major infection that damaged my teeth badly and while they're fixed still paying off that bill ....

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 10, 2007 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

The Yanks and the...

... Padres!

Although Maddux is not scrap...

... but, Barrett, Rusch (although I really liked him, too), Estes... the list goes on and on and...

This is who I think the Cubs #1 should be...

by initram on Dec 10, 2007 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

Pads to know today?

According to the SD paper:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20071210-9999-1s10padres.html

Guess Fukudome's agent must know the general parameters of a Cubs' offer at a minimum to be able to tell the Pads something today.

Our grandparents used to say, "I hope the Cubs win the Series before I die". Now the teenagers are saying it.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 10, 2007 10:12 AM CST reply actions

That article says...

Towers rated the Cubs serious bidders for Fukudome, and Urbon said the dollar figures need to be close no matter the bidder.

"The only way that geography is a factor is if on the contract side, everything is fairly even," Urbon said.

Which says to me, that if the Cubs blow everyone else out of the water money-wise, Fukudome will sign with them.

I didn't read that article as saying the Padres will know anything, necessarily, before any other team. But we MAY know something later today.

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2007 10:46 AM CST up reply actions

Lets geter done!

DOME-AY, DOME-AY, DOME-AY, DOME-AY!

"DOME-AY, DOME-AY, DOME-AY, DOME-AY!"

by IowaCubs- on Dec 10, 2007 11:38 AM CST reply actions

Anyone hear Derosa's interview on ESPN 1000?

"In all the categories that you pay the most attention to, except the loss column, we're doing very well" - Jim Hendry

by Jayo525 on Dec 10, 2007 12:06 PM CST reply actions

No.

Want to summarize?

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

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2007 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

From what I can remember...

I believe the link for today's show is currently broken but in case you don't like my review or it works later, here it is (It's from the Monday Dec. 10 show):

http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/espnradio1000/sectional?id=wspodcasts

They asked him what he made of the Cubs pursuing the likes of an Omar Infante (before Braves deal), Kaz Matsui (before Astros deal) & Brian Roberts (who he claims to be good friends with). He said he is all for making the team better in any way, but also thinks he played an all around solid 2B last year. As far as his knowledge of any imminent deals, he said that he knows as much or as little as we do and that he stays updated by going online everyday and reading articles (hopefully here on BCB!). He thinks our biggest void or least most vulnerable position right now is pitching ("you can never enough"). And finally, he also claimed that if the Cubs do in fact sign Roberts AND Fukodome, that it would be hard not to feel personal about it, as he then would have to accept the much talked about 'SuperSub' role. All in all, I thought it was a pretty intriguing and candid interview. Oh yeah, he's also a Cowboys fan and has a Man-crush on Troy Aikman.

Sorry if my recap was all over the place, I am supposed to be 'working' right now. It's a lot better when Al does it.

"In all the categories that you pay the most attention to, except the loss column, we're doing very well" - Jim Hendry

by Jayo525 on Dec 10, 2007 2:10 PM CST up reply actions