According to this article in the Chicago Sun-Times the White Sox were the high-bidder for Fukudome, but still lost out to the Cubs!

“Certainly the comfort level that the Japanese players have had with Lou played a role in Kosuke’s decision,” agent Joe Urbon said. “That was certainly in the plus column for the Cubs.”

“Economics at the end of the day did not necessarily play a role in this,” Urbon said, adding, “I think it’s unfair to characterize the other Chicago team as not putting their best foot forward. They did, as did the San Diego Padres, as did a few other clubs. But, again, economics played a big role, but the position that the player was going to play played a big role. The ability to win played a big role. The Japanese community played a big role. A lot of factors came in that pointed to the Cubs.

“The Chicago Cubs just fit more of what he needed more than any other team, and that’s how he came to his decision.”

An article from Scott Merkin says that Fukudome “simply wanted to be the first Japanese player for a particular franchise.”

Wow, I guess the mystique of Wrigleyville has made it as far as Japan.