Four years later, the Chicago White Sox finally signed Kosuke Fukudome — and for a fraction of the price he cost the Chicago Cubs.
The outfielder agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract that guarantees $1 million. He will get a $500,000 salary this year, and the White Sox have a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.
Now 34, Fukudome joined the Cubs for the 2008 season with a $48 million, four-year contract.
“We were aggressive,” White Sox assistant General Manager Rick Hahn said. “For reasons that I think he fairly clearly outlined at the time, he decided to go with the opportunity on the North Side over ours.”
With the Cubs, Fukudome could remain in right field. The White Sox had Jermaine Dye in place at the time.
An All-Star in 2008, Fukudome was traded from the Cubs to the Indians on July 28 for outfielder Abner Abreu and pitcher Carlton Smith. Fukudome hit .262 with eight homers, 27 doubles and 35 RBI last season. He has a .260 average in the majors with 42 homers and 191 RBI.
Orioles, Jones set on deal
The Baltimore Orioles and center fielder Adam Jones agreed to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.
Jones hit .280 last season and set career highs in games (151), doubles (26), homers (25) and RBI (83). The 26-year-old also stole 12 bases and was voted Most Valuable Oriole by members of the media.
Brewers prevail over Veras
The Milwaukee Brewers won an arbitration case against reliever Jose Veras, giving teams a 4-2 lead over players this year. Veras was awarded a $2 million salary by a three-person panel rather than his request for $2,375,000. Veras was 2-4 with a 3.80 ERA in a career-high 79 appearances for Pittsburgh last season, when he made $1.35 million. The right-hander, who also played for the Yankees, Indians and Florida, was obtained on Dec. 12.
Royals extend Yost’s stay
The Kansas City Royals exercised their option on manager Ned Yost to keep him with the club through the 2013 season.
Yost was hired in May 2010 to replace Trey Hillman. He signed a two-year extension that July that included a club option for next season.
Yost is just 126-163 since taking over the Royals, but he’s been credited with helping to bring along one of the youngest rosters in baseball. A youthful team is expected to begin contending in the AL Central for the first time in years.
Maddon gets extension
A source familiar with the deal said that the Tampa Bay Rays and Joe Maddon agreed on a three-year contract extension after the manager led the Rays to the playoffs in three of the past four seasons.
Tribe reassigns De La Cruz
The Indians made a move Tuesday to make room for Casey Kotchman on the 40-man roster, designating pitcher Kelvin De La Cruz for assignment. Last year for the Double-A Aeros, De La Cruz was 5-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 23 games.
