Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome is coming to the Major League, signing a $48 million, four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs: Japanese star Fukudome coming to Chicago to play for Cubs. Fukudome was considered one of the best outfielders in Japanese baseball, and a key member of the Japan team that won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. He has 192 home runs and a .305 batting average over nine seasons with the Chunichi Dragons, who their first championship in 53 years last month (though Fukudome had to sit out the series due to elbow surgery). He is expected to play right field for the Cubs. More here: Cubs land Fukudome
In other baseball news, there's been talk that the New York Yankees might trade outfielder Hideki Matsui to the San Francisco Giants, who are very interested: Yanks, Giants reportedly talk Matsui. While Matsui is considered a cash cow for the Yankees, thanks to lucrative marketing deals that followed him from Japan, it looks like the team is open to the possibility: YANKS WOULD DEAL MATSUI AT RIGHT PRICE. As a lifelong Giants fan, I would very happy about this move. As many know, my team is in desperate need of some sluggers these days...
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