Fukudome could be out the door this winter

Lou's post-game comments last night on Fukudome: "From now on, I don't want to hear about Fukudome anymore as far as whether he's going to play or not," Piniella said when a reporter asked him about Fukudome's slump. "I'm going to play [Mike] Fontenot or Reed Johnson or somebody else, and that's the end of that story. The kid is struggling, and there's no sense sending him out there anymore." I'm all for this and have been for a long time. The guy was a terrible sign and he's never going to live up to his contract. As Perkins said in the comments last night, I'd rather pay him to play for another team than pay him to play for the Cubs. He's a great defender. One of the best in the game, but so was Neifi Perez. And Perez is a better hitter and it's not even close. And he played a tougher defensive position. Fukudome is that bad. Anyway, once a player gets into Lou's doghouse, he doesn't get out of it very easily and the way in which you do get out of it (produce!) is most likely beyond Fukudom'e ability. So we have a pretty good idea that Lou is done playing Fukudome not only this year, but next year as well. I think he's finally seen enough suck. At this point I'd be surprised if he was a Cub when spring training began. The Cubs are simply a better team without him and whether or not that means you trade him, release him or deport him, you have to do it. What frustrates me is that if Lou can reach this frustrating conclusions after just 2 games in the playoffs, why did he even play him in the playoffs? The Cubs didn't lose because Fukudome was in the game an Fontenot wasn't, but it sure as hell didn't help. I think that's some pretty bad managing by Lou Piniella.