I wonder how the city of Chicago feels about the White Sox agreeing to terms with Kosuke Fukudome. It was huge news years back in 2008 when the former Japanese star signed with the Cubs, and not the Sox.

4 somewaht disappointing seasons later and all is forgiven between the two. Fukudome will be the backup up outfielder for center field and right field. I don’t expect him to be a star, but he should contribute. The 34-year-old posted career-lows in on-base percentage and slugging percentage while playing right and center field last year with the Cubs and Indians.

It just makes you wonder what direction the Sox are going. At one point it looked like they would blow everything up, and go young. Now it looks like they are still playing to win, this year. Why else sign a guy like Fukudome, who, by baseball standards, came cheaply, signing a one-year, $1 million contract. Fukudome will earn $500,000 in 2012; the White Sox hold a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.

I, like a lot of people, thought this guy was gonna be a star. I still remember his first game as a Cub, hitting a game tying 3-run shot against the Brewers. That may have been the highlight of his Cub career.

If nothing else, he’ll always hold a spot in the Cubs record book becoming the first Japanese player in franchise history. I believe he’ll be the third in Sox history, behind Shingo Takatsu and Tad Iguchi.

Hum, anything else. Juan Pierre signed a minor league deal with the Phillies about a week ago.

Pitchers and catchers report in one week.

They didn’t sign him for his leadership abilities, unless the players can speak Japanese.