fukudome

as most of you know, i've been a die-hard chicago cubs fan all my life, so, of course, i keep track of what they're up to during the off-season. last winter the organization made a big splash with the acquisitions of all-star alfonso soriano, and pitchers ted lilly and jason marquis; they also began the process of retooling the management by hiring legendary manager lou piniella, a process that will continue this season as the ownership changes hands from the tribune co. to the highest bidder. the spending spree of last year's off-season propelled the cubs to a division title and a select status as one of the only clubs in history to go literally from last place in one season to first in the next. this off-season, while not as financially taxing as the last, is starting to pick up steam. at the winter meetings last week, cubs made very little noise with a minor trade involving the atlanta braves for a top relief prospect in jose ascanio, but the buzz among many of the representatives there was whether or not the japanese native kosuke fukudome would leave japan to become the next big-time mlb transplant (following the like of hideki matsui and ichiro suzuki, players to whom fukudome has been likened). just two days ago his agent announced that he would play in the majors, and just last night cubs report that he has agreed to a four year 48 million dollar contract with the cubs, giving them them left-handed hitting power right fielder they sorely needed. you can check out the full story and all of fukudome's stats from his nine year career in japan at cubs.com.