Report: Furcal agrees to three-year deal with Dodgers

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 4, 2005, 3:03 am

Free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal has agreed in principle to a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday morning on its Web site.
Furcal

The Times, citing an unnamed source close to the negotiations, said the deal will pay Furcal nearly $40 million. His agent, Paul Kinzer, said he could not immediately confirm that the deal was completed.

Furcal, who has played six major-league seasons for the Atlanta Braves, has a .284 career batting average. Last season, he batted .284 with, 31 doubles, 11 triples, 12 home runs and 46 stolen bases.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2246996

I wasn't expecting that--more like a return to the Braves or signing with the Cubs. The Dodgers will still suck, regardless. They have so many gaps stemming from last year's dumb-fuck quasi-firesale.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » December 4, 2005, 6:01 am

That could be one of the worst contracts ever. Furcal getting more than Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, Miguel Tejada, and the list can go on and on. Spending $13 million per year on a single player when your team has a ton of holes to fill and the owner is cutting budget? Talk about a bad first move.

With that said, I'm a little hesitant about believing the story quite yet. Every report cites this LA Times story. Not one has an independant validation. You can't even find the article on the LA Times site without doing a search for it. The original article has even been edited to say that Colletti would talk to Kent and Izturis about switching positions before signing Furcal. It seems like the writer may have gotten a bit over his head and they're trying to cover tracks now, very reminiscient of 2004 when it was all over the place that the Yankees had signed Maddux. A week later, Maddux was getting in on the tail end of spring training with the Cubs. We'll see soon enough, though.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » December 4, 2005, 12:18 pm

I'm fairly sure this is true. Even tho Furcal will be overpaid (grossly) he actually may bring the Dodgers what they need. Furcal is a leadoff guy that they need badly. I would assume Izturis will move to 2B and Kent will move to 1B. This fixes the production + error problem the Dodgers had at 1b, fixes the range problem at 2b and slightly improves SS. On top of that the duo of Furcal/Izzy will be one of the best in the league. The rotation will benefit greatly from them especially Lowe who needs a good middle IF to be effective. Plus the lineup now has opprotunity to score runs:

Furcal
Izzy
Bradley
Kent
Drew

If Gagne returns healthy, there isnt as many holes in this club as you would have thought

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 4, 2005, 1:48 pm

But still, if this story is true (ESPN is usually pretty damn accurate), one can't assume that current team members will just gel in brand new positions. Granted, Kent and Izturis are good fielders, you just can't say 'oh, hey, you be playing somewhere else now, eh?'

Then again, I got to see Kaz Matsui play both SS and 2B, so I am leery of any moves. Then again, Kaz sucks.

Back to the topic--Furcal is a quality player, but they need far more than a leadoff man. And it isn't the money, good on him for landing a big contract. If the Dodgers can get some more power and solidify their rotation, then they may have a better chance.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » December 4, 2005, 3:11 pm

Canelek wrote:Granted, Kent and Izturis are good fielders, you just can't say 'oh, hey, you be playing somewhere else now, eh?'

Rumor had it that they where asked about it before the Dodgers even persued Furcal, so I dont see it as a problem.

I also dont see that many better leadoff hitters then Furcal out there, and dont see any that would fit LA right now.

Lowe, Penny, Weaver(if he comes down in price) and Perez is a pretty solid rotation. Not the best but they give you a chance to win games.

Kent, Drew, Werth and Bradley is a decent amount of power. Playing in Chavez brings HR #'s down. If you have guys like Furcal and Izzy getting on base you really dont need much power to score.

The real question for me is who will play 3B and who can pitch between starters and Gagne without loosing the game.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 4, 2005, 3:41 pm

Well stated--it doesn't look as bad as I thought.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » December 4, 2005, 7:37 pm

That could be one of the worst contracts ever. Furcal getting more than Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, Miguel Tejada, and the list can go on and on. Spending $13 million per year on a single player when your team has a ton of holes to fill and the owner is cutting budget? Talk about a bad first move.

Could be worse. At least they only signed him for three years, so even if he doesn't earn his money they'll be rid of him quickly. Keep in mind that players like Ramirez and Lee developed into stars after signing their contracts and would absolutely fetch far more on the open market now. Furcal getting more than Tejada is puzzling, but Tejada is signed for longer, so it's a bit of a trade off.

Also, in an offseason where B.J. Ryan signed the largest contract ever given a reliever, it's tough to say that Furcal's contract is the worst.

Oh, and Esteban Loaiza and Kyle Farnsworth are both getting paid $6 million a year for 3 years. At least Furcal can play.

However, none of that is to say that he deserves $13 million a year.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 5, 2005, 12:48 pm

He has just about the best range of any shortstop in baseball. he can be erratic throwing the ball, but he has arguably the strongest throwing arm of any shortstop in baseball.

He is a quality basestealer and can hit around .300

that being said, he is vulnerable to protracted slumps when he tries to swing for the fences.

anyway, the Braves have a huge hole at the top of their lineup now. you will see an impact on the Braves.

they didnt start the offering at $13 million either. the guy is in demand and 3 teams are bidding for him. to win that bidding war, you have to pay over the market value (which is probably where the bidding STARTED).

so people always are like, this guy is overpaid, this guy is overpaid. Yeah they are, because there was a demand for them at the time the contract was signed.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » December 5, 2005, 8:29 pm

My money says the Braves trade for an outfielder to lead off and play Wilson Betemit at SS. Big possibility they trade one of their catching prospects or Estrada and someone else to get Danys Baez and Julio Lugo from Tampa.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » December 7, 2005, 9:13 pm

So the Braves throw everyone off and trade Estrada for 2 relievers and are in the middle of a deal to trade Andy Marte for Edgar Renteria. With Wilson Betemit a capable backup for Chipper, I guess Marte would be an enormous trading chip. So if they land Renteria, they need to pickup a closer and still possibly a speedy leadoff type guy for the OF. I would not doubt that Reitsma hits the door to free up money in the coming days.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » December 8, 2005, 2:51 am

Is Marte a shortstop or 3B prospect?

If he's a shortstop prospect, they'd be better off on just playing Marte and spending the $10 million for Renteria somewhere else.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » December 8, 2005, 10:09 am

Marte is a 3B prospect. With Chipper reworking his contract to help the team save money, it gave them a few more years of him being worth having at 3rd. Wilson Betemit was a SS prospect, but played 3B while Chipper was out. He played well last year and will be on the team this year as well to play SS and 3B in case of injuries or to rest someone. My guess is he will also play 2B if needed.

The Braves have the money to spend on a closer. They had Hampton insured so the money that was going to him this year is free for another player. ******This just in!!!!******** Dan Kolb has been traded for another reliever. So that frees up another $3.5 million.

Overall, the Braves have freed up $23 million that can be used to sign players for the year. They have already aquired 3 releivers and you can guarantee that Schuerholtz is not done. Lets hold off on crowning the Mets as NL East champs.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » December 8, 2005, 12:26 pm

The Braves haven't gone 14 straight years with a division title out of random chance. I am sure they will find a way to shore up the leaks. I wouldn't expect another tight race like last season overall. With Florida essentially out of the race and Washington still being the Expos, look for NY just to try and escape its second half woes.

The Braves have many rabbits left in the hat, it can be assumed, until they actually lose a title.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » December 8, 2005, 1:54 pm

ESPN has the Renteria/Marte deal as completed. If the Braves are paying all of Renteria's contract, they got ripped off. That's a lot to pay for a 0.720 OPS shortstop.

Animale · Post by **Animale** » December 8, 2005, 3:17 pm

Rent + $11 mil for Marte.

That's a lot of cash.

Animale

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » December 8, 2005, 6:05 pm

That makes it a lot more reasonable, but I'm still not sure if I would have given up Marte for Renteria. I think they could have gotten better for Marte.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 8, 2005, 6:39 pm

Renteria is a really good SS. Last year was a bad year for him, but i know at the beginning of the 2005 season, if you compared his last 3 years stats in my league's fantasy baseball scoring system, he was only behind ARod and Jeter in productivity.

No i'm not saying fantasy means shit in terms of real baseball. I'm merely using that as an indirect indicator that this guy has put up some excellent numbers in the past. His 30 errors last year is very alarming to me, but he is a great player.

he has also won a world series with a clutch hit.

<strike>i still haven't seen verification of that $11 million figure.</strike>

that is a big chunk of change. that essentially makes Renteria a $6M /yr signing, which is a very good deal.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 8, 2005, 7:33 pm

Is that Estrada guy any good from the Braves or did the D-Backs get some dead weight?

Homercles · Post by **Homercles** » December 8, 2005, 7:38 pm

All these Braves wheelings and Dealings have overshadowed the true Blockbuster deal from this week.

The Reds have traded for Tony Womak!!!

That was the missing piece!!

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 8, 2005, 8:51 pm

Winnow wrote:Is that Estrada guy any good from the Braves or did the D-Backs get some dead weight?

he made the all-star game in 2004.

he is pretty good throwing out baserunners, and he is a switch hitter, which is very rare for a catcher.

he doesn't have a lot of power, but can be a good hitter at times. For part of 2004 he led the majors in batting avg with runners in scoring position and 2 outs.

he's not going to the hall of fame, but he is probably worth more than the 2 retread relievers the braves got.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 8, 2005, 9:00 pm

He sounds boring but consistency at the plate from a catcher is a good thing.

If we deal Troy Glaus, the D-Backs won't have any big hitters left besides the aging Luis Gonzales.

It looks like the D-Backs will be bad for several more years.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 20, 2006, 3:34 am

Kilmoll the Sexy wrote:My money says the Braves trade for an outfielder to lead off and play Wilson Betemit at SS. Big possibility they trade one of their catching prospects or Estrada and someone else to get Danys Baez and Julio Lugo from Tampa.

Funny how everyone in this quote went to LA except Estrada. Who would have thought LA would have Furcal, Lugo and Betemit. Glad Baez is gone

Goooooo Dodgers!

Trek · Post by **Trek** » August 20, 2006, 3:38 am

Kilmoll the Sexy wrote:My money says the Braves trade for an outfielder to lead off and play Wilson Betemit at SS. Big possibility they trade one of their catching prospects or Estrada and someone else to get Danys Baez and Julio Lugo from Tampa.

Funny how everyone in this quote went to LA except Estrada. Who would have thought LA would have Furcal, Lugo and Betemit. Glad Baez is gone

Goooooo Dodgers!

Trek · Post by **Trek** » September 10, 2006, 7:27 pm

Time to see how Furcal faired with his huge contract

Leads LA in Runs, hits, 2b, Total bases, SB

Not to bad, not sure if its worth the money he gets, but he is producing, the biggest thing is wins. Not sure how much of that is him, but it doesnt hurt to have those numbers on the top of your lineup.