Japanese outfielder, Kosuke Fukudome, informed the media and the world that he will indeed sign with a team in Major League Baseball rather than continuing to play in Japan. As we've discussed in this space before, both Chicago teams as well as the San Diego Padres are interested in the 30 year old import. Fukudome has a career batting average of .308 and some pop in his bat as well.

While it's nice that the Cubs and White Sox are interested, I think it's going to be tough for them to land the coveted outfielder. ESPN reports that the Padres have extended an impressive offer which they call "one of the two or three biggest offers" in team history." When you throw in that San Diego is on the west coast and thus several hours closer to home for Fukudome, I'd be surprised to see him sign anywhere else.

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