Jul
13
Yankees sign Kosuke Fukudome to minor league deal
ByVia Marc Carig, the Yankees have signed outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a minor league contract. He’ll report to the traveling circus inTriple-A Empire State.
Fukudome, 35, posted a measly 33 wRC+ in a whopping 55 plate appearances for the White Sox earlier this season. He’s been essentially a league average hitter during his five-year MLB career (98 wRC+), with most of his offensive value coming from his walk rate (13.5%) and on-base ability (.359 OBP). Fukudome, a lefty hitter, is a capable corner outfielder defensively and is a decent piece to have stashed away in Triple-A in case Brett Gardner has another setback or something.
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Damn, he’s 35? Wow.
Seems like just yesterday he hit that 9th inning homer off Gagne in his first game.
Fuk u, Do me.
Can’t help it -.-
LOL that didnt take long.
I’m not complaining because there isn’t really any downside, but doesn’t it feel like the Yankees are grabbing every veteran that’s not nailed down?
Consider it a good thing. Cashman has been at this for a long time and he knows depth is a good thing, having been in situations where he was left scrambling for back-up players when someone on the main squad goes down. Not a surprise over the past few years he focuses heavily on catchers, OFer and back-end starters. They are needed over the course of the season.
It might be a simple game of chess, too, where he’s looking one move ahead, preparing for the potential loss of DeWayne Wise when they have to put him on waivers when Gardner returns. If they lose him, they will still have two MLB-ready 4th OFers down in AAA in Fukudome and Dickerson.
Not promoting Melky Mesa and Abe Almonte (when he comes off the DL) is a downside, especially Mesa since he’s on the 40-man roster.
So… There isn’t really any downside…
Melky Mesa is 25 years old and is hitting 276/350/460 against kids generally 3-5 years his junior.
Facing MLB pitching, I’m guessing he would make Darnell McDonald look like Mickey Mantle.
Considering the average age of AA players is actually 24, not the 20-23 you indicated, I think you’re underselling Melky a bit. Considering MM’s defensive abilities I don’t think it’s a stretch to think that if called on he could contribute as much or more than the completely washed Fukudome.
There’s nothing wrong with taking a flier on guys like this, but if it turns out that Gardner won’t be available this season, they probably need to trade for an OFer. They’ll need one anyway with Swisher likely going after the season.
That’s a funny way to spell Justin Upton. I was also pretty sure we were trading for him not signing him.
Get your crap together Axisa.
I think Mike is just trying to sell more “Save the Big Three” t-shirts in Japan. This blog was so much better before they cared about making big money. Such a shame.
Wait, which Dome?
Trying to keep it on topic by talking MiL depth. How would this team compare with let’s say this years Mariners…
Starting Line-up:
Eduardo Nunez SS
Ronnie Mustelier 2B
Steve Pearce 1B
Russell Branyan DH
Brandon Laird 3B
Gary Sanchez C
Mason Williams CF
Zoilo Almonte LF
Melky Mesa RF
Rotation:
David Phelps
Vidal Nuno
Ramon Ortiz
Nelson Figueroa
D.J. Mitchell
Bullpen:
Mikey O’Brien
Dellin Betances
DJ Mitchell
Manny Delcarmen
Chase Whitley
Juan Cedeno
Bench:
Ramiro Pena SS
Jack Cust 1B/DH
Frankie Cervelli C
Colin Curtis OF
Fukudome OF
Thoughts?
This team would get absolutely slaughtered by this year’s Mariners.
This team would get slaughtered by the Padres of this year, as well.
How’s 130 losses sound?
I guess Mustelier is never going to get a chance.
Fukudome is what I yell every time the Yankees play at Tropicana Field.
Between innings one game, maybe they can have a cage match between Wise, McDonald and Fukudome for the final roster spot
Or the hotdog race, winner gets dibs on Gardners vaccated spot when he suffers another set-back.