Multiple sources tell Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com that the Cubs recently approached the Red Sox to "gauge their interest" in Kosuke Fukudome. McAdam writes that the Red Sox have walked away from talks, at least for now, because the Cubs have refused to take on a significant part of Fukudome's remaining salary. Fukudome, 33, will earn $13 million this season and another $13.5 million in 2011. The Red Sox have a clear need for an outfielder right now, but that is a significant price to pay for a player who has batted just .261 with a 776 OPS in the major leagues. No-trade clause aside, the Cubs will have a very difficult time trading him to any team.
