Snobs vs. Slobs

ESPN’s rumor page says that the Cubs are showing interest in the Chunchin Dragons’ Kosuke Fukudome (pronounced foo-koo-doh-may, not (unfortunately) foo-koo-dohm).

Fukudome has posted great numbers in the Japanese league – .305/.397/.543 in nine years with the Dragons. His on-base percentages have increased steadily throughout his career, and in the last three seasons have been above .430(!). It should be noted, however, that his 2007 season was cut short by elbow surgery.

Baseball Prospectus’ Japanese League correspondent Mike Plugh did an interesting writeup on Japanese free agents recently (BP Premium required), and among other things, here’s what he says about Fukudome:

The selling point of Fukudome, when compared to his peers, is his habitual .400+ OBP. He won’t beat himself at the plate often, and he’ll make you make your pitch. If you miss, he hits it hard. His rifle arm in the outfield will also be a blessing for the lucky team to acquire his services as teams around the league will learn not to run on him very early on in the season. There is almost no downside to adding this player.

Holy mackerel! “Almost no downside” from a BP author is a pretty hearty endorsement. Could this possibly be true? Are the Cubs really going after a left-handed bat with good, if not excellent plate discipline? This has to be good to be true. They just traded for Omar Infante, for Chrissakes.