Article: Cubs out front in Fukudome chase; Japanese outfielder with Hunter- like price is No. 1 priority

Whether the White Sox are serious about Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome, the Cubs remain the team to beat for the services of Japan's top hitter.

While being careful to respect the cultural nuances of the trans- Pacific pursuit of the outfielder, the Cubs have made it clear Fukudome is their top offseason target. And indications from those close to the Japanese side of the process suggest the Cubs are at the front of a large pack of suitors.

The market for Fukudome could approach the strength of the center- field market that already yielded a five-year, $90 million deal for Torii Hunter. Enough teams -- including the Cubs -- have made preliminary offers to Fukudome that a deal isn't ...

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