Fukudome / Andruw

by trident on Dec 1, 2007 7:36 PM CST

If you could get each for a 4 year deal, Fukudome at 45-48 or Jones for 60-65, which one would you rather have?

Chone projects Fuk's line at 283/373/465 or 112 strikeouts, 69 walks, 38 doubles, 4 triples, 16 homers over 600 PAs

Andruw's lines over the last 3 years

222/311/413
262/363/531
263/347/575

Career: 263/342/497

Andruw is 3 days older, so age is not relevant. Andruw has won 10 straight gold gloves and regardless of what some call declining defense, still seems to rank near the top in many CF rankings and would instantly be the best defensive CF ever in a Rangers uniform. Even in 2007, his worst offensive year by far, he hit 26 home runs. He has never had a significant injury, but has obvious weight issues.

From everything ive read Fukudome is less than an average CF, but is plus in RF. Fukudome has ZERO chance of hitting 40+ HRs, something we've seen Andruw do 2 of the past 3 years and 30+ 7 of the past 10 years. He probably brings all the intangibles you see the other Japanese guys bring, hard working, fundamentally sound, good teammate, etc.

Is Jones worth the extra 4-5 million a year, knowing he could either rebound back to his career mean (while giving plus defense in CF), or is it too risky considering his atrocious year at the plate in 2007?

IMO, I wanted nothing to do with Jones heading into this offseason. However, the way everything has played out (read: the total lack of interest by anyone in Andruw Jones) I think he is a nice risk/reward play. His career line is pretty solid, and if we do come across a CF prospect in the next 3-4 years (no guarantee) his bat could move to a corner spot. Neither guy costs a draft pick or prospects, so I'd be fairly disappointed if we don't bring one of them here.

Poll

Pick your poison

Andruw Jones

11 votes

Kosuke Fukudome

22 votes

33 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

JD has made it rather clear

they don't want to sign Jones to a long term deal

"Dwyade is to basketball what the 40 is to the Rangers." -thedirkatron

by coolaid on Dec 1, 2007 7:29 PM CST reply actions

i want...

fukudome in RF and cameron in CF on a 2 year deal... I think that would be ideal, assuming JD does not make a trade for an OF.

by erikj07 on Dec 1, 2007 7:33 PM CST reply actions

Jones

but i think its an unfair comparison because I bet jones is looking at more like 80-90 million, even after the bad year. if he would have to sign for 60 i bet he would just do a 1 year deal.

obviously im just speculating, but this guy was projecting for like 7/130 before the bad year.

and i think that 4/48 is the absolute max fukudome will go for, and could be down in the 3/33 range. mlb clubs know hes not going to hit for major power.

by DShep on Dec 1, 2007 7:33 PM CST reply actions

i know

but i wasnt expecting him to reply to this thread. my main question is what the other readers/fans think

and if the price is right, i'm sure he's interested in anyone. right now i don't hear about anybody being interested in Jones for what Boras is asking, so maybe JD will be interested after the price falls a bit. either way, this is all hypothetical

by trident on Dec 1, 2007 7:34 PM CST reply actions

to be honest

I dont think his asking price is going to drop much because Boras is his agent

"Dwyade is to basketball what the 40 is to the Rangers." -thedirkatron

by coolaid on Dec 1, 2007 7:36 PM CST up reply actions

What?

Boras asked for 350 mil for the best ball player around. Jones price will fall dramatically because no one is going to give him a five year deal for 80 90 mil. Its not gonna happen. I bet he settles for a three year deal and Im all for Jones for 40 mil.

"I'd need a picture of Jamey with a shotgun saying "This is my Boomstick!" before I could see that one." DJCahill

by NYTXFAN on Dec 1, 2007 9:40 PM CST up reply actions

who said anything

about A-Rod?

"Dwyade is to basketball what the 40 is to the Rangers." -thedirkatron

by coolaid on Dec 1, 2007 9:55 PM CST up reply actions

They have the same agent

He asked for a rediculous price for ARodand that price dropped dramatically. Im sure the same will happen with Jones.

"I'd need a picture of Jamey with a shotgun saying "This is my Boomstick!" before I could see that one." DJCahill

by NYTXFAN on Dec 2, 2007 7:47 AM CST up reply actions

Dramatically to $314M

by tklawless on Dec 2, 2007 1:09 PM CST up reply actions

Fuko

by miles on Dec 1, 2007 7:38 PM CST reply actions

Both...?

So is Fuk projecting to be a Hideki Matsui type? If so, shit, we better end up with him. NO questions asked.

Why can't we go for both? 3 years/33 mil on Fuk, 5 years/85 mil on Andruw? place them in RF and CF respectively, and then if/when Andruw's defense really starts slipping, move him to RF, Fuk will either be gone or resigned and move him to LF and by then we might have another CF. We can also DH Andruw certain days...

Do this, keep a healthy pitching staff and sign a veteran bullpen guy and we've got a pretty freakin' good team for now and the future

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Dec 1, 2007 8:47 PM CST reply actions

Because...

if Andruw's performance last year really indicates that he's fallen off the cliff, it would be beyond Chan Ho stupid to commit that kind of money to him. Jones only makes sense on a 1 year make good contract.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on Dec 1, 2007 8:57 PM CST up reply actions

true

but I'm a pretty big believer that last year was the aberration...if we can get him on a 1-year deal, fine...but he won't go for a 1-year deal, and to me, he was a better player than Torii all along.

my point with Andruw is his bat should come back around...and his contract can play in RF, LF, DH if he can't hack it in CF in a couple of years. We have NO outfield right now, and haven't for a few years...and the farm system isn't looking too promising to fill a power threat we desperately need.

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Dec 1, 2007 9:11 PM CST up reply actions

We've got catchers out the ying-yang...

I have a lot more faith in our farm system providing ammo for a trade for an outfielder than in taking a flier on a long term contract for a player who's top ten comparable players by age include Ken Griffey, Juan Gone, etc...

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on Dec 1, 2007 9:19 PM CST up reply actions

For 10 years he's been light years ahead of....

Hunter. Wanna wager on who'll be worth their contract the next 5? You're comparing Andruw's worst year to Hunter's best. If he did nothing but DH, he'd be worth near what he'll get. Throw in +defense in CF, and a corner later, 4/$60M w/ an option would be a steal.

by tklawless on Dec 2, 2007 1:18 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think you get AJ

for less than 4/75 or 5/90.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 2, 2007 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

Jones

probably ends up as a Yankee if Melky gets traded as part of the Santana deal.

"Dwyade is to basketball what the 40 is to the Rangers." -thedirkatron

by coolaid on Dec 1, 2007 10:25 PM CST reply actions

yep

that's what I'm thinking... Santana to NYY for Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Ian Kennedy and Jose Tabata or something like that. Yanks then sign Andruw Jones.

by Brandon Wilson on Dec 1, 2007 10:53 PM CST up reply actions