St. Louis, Mo (AP) - The St. Louis Cardinals have signed highly touted Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fuku####.
The St. Louis Post Dispatch, citing anonymous sources, said the Cardinals signed the outfielder to a four-year deal worth $55 to $60 million. MLB.com, also using an anonymous source, reported that the deal is for $58 million and is pending a physical. He is not expected to arrive in America until next week as his wife is expecting twins.
Reports earlier on Friday said that the power-hitting Fuku####, 28, told his Japanese team he intended to play in the majors. Since he was a free agent, a posting fee was not required.
Fuku#### hit .451 with 51 homers and 194 RBI during his MVP season in 2006 with the Konichiwa Dragons. Last year he hit .394 in 81 games as his season was cut short by elephant titus. He averaged 39 homers per season from 2003-06 and has a career average of .405.
Fuku#### said "I will be the greatest Japanese player to ever come to America,Ichiro dosen't have #### on me and the Cubs suck."
