The more I think about it the more I think Jim Hendry is going very hard after Fukudome and Kuroda. Something tells me the Cubs will get Kosuke Fukudome. And it looks like he has the potential to be a signfiicant breath of fresh air to the Cub lineup. A disciplined hitter who does all the little things with the bat. Of course he needs to make the daunting transition to the majors. Can he do it? Ichiro and Hideki Matsui did. Even Kaz Matsui has made a nice transition, though it took him a couple years. Considering the other options available via trade or free agency, Fukudome would be a real coup for the Cubs. I think his choice will come down to Seattle (who just got rid of Jose Guillen to make room for him???) and the Cubs.

Kuroda is going to ignite a bidding war given the dearth of good pitching around baseball. Therefore I don't know how good of a chance the Cubs have of getting him.

I agree that Hendry is going to go after these two. I keep going back and forth on both of them. My guess is if we get one of them we have a good chance at the other. Depending on the possible money issues. Based on the Daily Herald article today it sounds like our offseason upgrades may come via the trade market.