The Hanshin Tigers offered free agent outfielder Kosuke Fukudome roughly $18.5MM over four years. They’ve now withdrawn their offer, leaving the Yomiuri Giants as his only Japanese suitor. I’m assuming that means Fukudome’s former team, the Chunichi Dragons, is also out of the running. (By the way, the Hanshin Tigers have switched their attention to signing Lew Ford).
Fukudome should make at least $30MM over three years in the United States. The Rangers, Mets, Cubs, Giants, White Sox, and Padres may all have interest.
