Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs, Japanese OF Fukudome reach deal — FOXSports.com, Updated 40 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Cubs, landing their biggest off-season target, have signed Japanese free-agent outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year contract, major-league sources confirmed to FOXSports.com.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Japanese star Fukudome coming to Chicago to play for Cubs — The agent for Kosuke Fukudome said that the player would make up his mind on a major league team quickly after deciding to come to the United States. He was true to his word. — After deciding to play in the U.S. early Tuesday morning …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres lose out on Fukudome — The Padres found out tonight that they lost out in their bid for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who accepted a four-year deal from the Cubs worth nearly $50 million. — The Padres were able to come to terms with Japanese second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, who accepted a one-year deal.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs win Fukudome sweepstakes — Japanese outfielder agrees to four-year, $48 million deal — CHICAGO — The Cubs' patience paid off. Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome has agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the team, pending his passing a physical.
Discussion:
Hire Jim Essian!
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Padres lose Fukudome, add Iguchi — Outfielder says no to San Diego, agrees to deal with Cubs — SAN DIEGO — Kosuke Fukudome, the highly regarded Japanese outfielder, won't be playing in San Diego next season. — Fukudome's agent, Joe Urbon, confirmed late Tuesday that the 30-year-old decided …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs land Fukudome — The Cubs signed Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year deal late Tuesday, outbidding San Diego and the White Sox to gain the services of their primary off-season target. — Terms of the deal were not immediately known, though it's believed to be worth …
Discussion:
CubsNet.com
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Kosuke Fukudome Signs With Cubs — UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 10:43pm: MLB.com's Carrie Muskat says the deal is for four years and $48MM. — FROM 12-11-07 at 9:40pm: — Dave Kaplan of WGN Radio reports that the Cubs have signed Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year deal. Kaplan says it's for about $50MM, maybe a hair more.
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs land Fukudome — The Cubs reached agreement tonight with Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome on a four-year deal, according to sources, beating out the White Sox and San Diego Padres for Japan's top hitter. — The deal is believed to be worth $45 million to $50 million.
NY Daily News:
MLB receives Mitchell Report — Major League Baseball officials are reviewing George Mitchell's long-anticipated steroid report at the former Senate majority leader's law offices, 21 months after commissioner Bud Selig asked Mitchell to investigate the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
RELATED:
Howard Bryant / ESPN.com:
Bryant: Conflicts and missteps undermine Mitchell report — With the highly anticipated Mitchell report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball expected to be released within the coming days, scores of baseball employees who were interviewed by former Senator George Mitchell's investigators …
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:Mitchell Report Expected to Name About 50 Major Leaguers
Discussion:
SportsJustice
Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
Kuroda hasn't made mind up yet — There is a hot rumor out there on the internet tonight that Japanese free-agent Hiroki Kuroda has made his decision and that the Los Angeles Dodgers are about to announce they've signed him. — Not true. — Just spent the past half hour making a flurry …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Twins ink Monroe to one-year deal — Veteran joins outfield mix for $3.82 million plus incentives — MINNEAPOLIS — The questions surrounding Craig Monroe's future with the Twins were answered on Tuesday when the club signed the outfielder to a one-year contract worth $3.82 million plus incentives based on plate appearances.
RELATED:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:Twins, Monroe agree on 1-year, $3.82 million deal
Discussion:
Around the Majors
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rockies, Cook agree on new deal — Right-hander's contract worth $34.5 million through 2011 — DENVER — The Rockies and right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook on Tuesday signed a new contract that will pay him $34.5 million and will keep him with the club through 2011, with a mutual option for 2012.
RELATED:
Dom Amore / Hartford Courant:
Pavano Weighing His Options — Carl Pavano is still mulling a Yankees proposal to release him and then re-sign him to a minor league contract. He said Monday he is not close to a decision. — "I'd be giving up a lot of options if I signed a minor league deal," Pavano said.
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:Yankees offer Pavano a parachute
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS
Toronto Star:
Lo Duca spurns Toronto for Nats; Giants mulling Rios-for-Lincecum offer — Paul Lo Duca, the veteran catcher the Blue Jays had hoped to acquire to share duties with incumbent Gregg Zaun, has chosen instead to sign with the Washington Nationals. — The issue appears to have been one of money.
Discussion:
Only Baseball Matters
RELATED:
George King / New York Post:
YANKS WOULD DEAL MATSUI AT RIGHT PRICE — Even though Hideki Matsui is a cash cow for the Yankees thanks to lucrative marketing deals that followed him from Japan, club beancounters aren't going to get in the way of the baseball operations office and demand Matsui not be traded to keep the deep revenue streams flowing.
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs' lineup getting more dangerous — FOXSports.com, Updated 52 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — Now, imagine if the Cubs get Brian Roberts, too. — A trade for Roberts would transform an underachieving offense into one of the most potent in the National League.
East Bay Newspapers:
Local family finds 1914 Babe Ruth rookie card — Family and sports — likely in that order. Those were John Jay Barry's greatest loves. Though he passed away some 20 years ago, the den of his home on Main Street still personifies the nostalgic renaissance man who used to occupy it.
Discussion:
Sports Memorabilia News
