Japanese slugger Kosuke Fukudome announced his free agency Monday, becoming the latest Japanese player to fuel speculation of a move to the US Major Leagues. "I've had a growing desire to hear how other people evaluate my performance. I had no choice but to announce" free agency, said the outfielder with the Chunichi Dragons, which just won the Japan Series title. "I want to hear from everyone who might have positive views about my performance," he said.