"The answer was so stunning and out of character that the first thought on everyone's mind was there must have been some problem with the translation.

Before leaving for Japan, Kosuke Fukudome spoke with reporters Tuesday at Wrigley Field and was asked how he would feel if he went into spring training next year without assurances of a starting job.

"I could not care less," he said through a translator.

The man who signed for $48 million over four years would not care if he wasn't starting? Fukudome then was asked to clarify.

"If it means that there will be competition in right field, all I have to do is win that competition," he replied.

Fukudome's confidence in himself has obviously never wavered. But rest assured there will be competition for him in right next year. The Cubs are planning on pursuing another left-handed-hitting outfielder because of concerns over Fukudome's productivity.

General manager Jim Hendry was not totally disappointed with Fukudome's season, which consisted of two solid months in April and May before a significant drop-off in the final three months. But can the team risk the chance Fukudome will not come back strong after spending his off-season in Japan? Expect the Cubs to have viable options.

"By spring training we certainly hope he will be the All-Star-caliber player he was the first couple of months," Hendry said. "But we'll be prepared if he doesn't."

As Jacque Jones discovered, it's hard to get back in the good graces of Cubs fans after they've written you off. Fukudome hit .217 after the All-Star break and heard boos while going 0-for-8 with four strikeouts during the Cubs' first two playoff games.

Fukudome said he was "sorry I disappointed some of the fans who have really high regard for me." He later added he felt no pressure from the weight of his $48 million deal, and gave the simple answer "no" when asked if he had any regrets about leaving Japan to play in the majors.

Fukudome had right elbow surgery in August 2007 that he believes "may have contributed" to his failure to hit as well as he would have liked, though it did not affect his throwing. A two-time batting champion in Japan, Fukudome finished with a .257 average, well below his .305 career average in Japan."