Furcal Close To Deciding Between Braves, Dodgers

YEAH RAFFY!!!!

This is gonna give us the leadoff hitter we're NEEDED since he left in '05! And it'll push either KJ or Yesco (hopefully KJ) into a trade for a PITCHER!!!

Wren's doing a fine job! Let him work his magic this offseason and see what kind of trix this guy has up his sleeve...(HINT HINT: trade KJ, Frenchy, Morton & another prospect for Guillen & Grienke)

NICE MOVE!

Even being a Mets fan I like this move. Living about an hour away from Atlanta I see and go to a lot of Braves games. I always enjoyed seeing Furcal in the Brave uniform even though I wanted them to lose every game. This was the only place I thought Raffie was gonna sign with.

As an A's fan, I am happy to not see him sign with the A's. He's coming off a short season due to a bad back. A's fans know that bad backs can linger. And personally, on a team that needs to score more runs, they should be focusing on bolstering their power by looking at Dunn/Burrell etc, not a guy who manufactures runs - cause there isn't much behind him to get it done. The A's would be much better inserting and Adam Dunn in the lineup with Cust/Holliday, and praying Bobby Crosby has a good walk year, than putting Furcal at leadoff. I am also not a fan of non-power hitters moving to the AL from the NL. It's evident too that Furcal never wanted to go to Oakland and was just using them to drive up the price.
See you raffy.

Escobar to the Orioles for Jake Arrietta or Chris Tillman?

What do you guys think about having yunel at ss and furcal at 2b and move kjo to left to platoon with matt diaz? I think we still need to add another power bat to the outfield, but kelly did play quite a bit of LF earlier in his career. I'm not saying he is the fix to the OF obviously, but if Diaz can turn it around this year, that would be a viable option in LF

Atta boy Wren. Good move bringing back Furcal. Hes nasty. We finally get a leadoff hitter, with alot of speed. Now all thats left to do is get another picture, and get a power hitting outfielder, perharps try to trade for Greinke and Guillen, or maybe Dye from the whitesox. Who knows?
But I like this move, and hopefully theres more to come from Wren and the organization.

Congrats Braves on this signing.
I need to know one thing from you, is Mark Teixeira worth the price he is asking?
Thanks, interested Sox fan.

I wouldnt mind the braves resuming trade talks with the padres, of course they (pads) would have to initiate those talks. If wren could get a deal done without moving yunel I think he would have to jump at it. However, I have no problem with the braves moving on even though I have been a huge Peavy fan for years now. A rotation of Vasquez, JJ, Campillo, Perez/wolf/Garland, and Smoltzy would be a little above average for the NL. And with the offense the braves should have this year, that will be enough to make a push for the playoffs, especially with our strength in the bullpen. By the way I would be devestated if smoltz signs elsewhere. He has been my favorite brave for a long time now with the class and work ethic he bring to the table everyday.

Maybe we could pawn off a Francy+prospects package to the palesox for Dye with Kenny W hoping to get another Carlos Q in Francy. Then we could just move KJ RF/LF and have Dye (LF/RF) as our #4. With so many options right now it will be very interesting to see what the shrewd Mr. Wren has up his sleeve.

Wow! I am estastic for this signing. This is going to be a completely different team. The Braves once built around power are now built around speed and hitting with Furcal leading the path. KJ will move to LF and we actually have a solid hitting team with Kotchman, Chipper, Yunel, KJ, McCann, Frenchy (up in the air). I was kind of shocked when he left but I respect the fact that he is coming back because he enjoys playing in Atlanta. This is an old-school baseball signing. Not for money but LOYALTY!

"I need to know one thing from you, is Mark Teixeira worth the price he is asking?"

That depends on who you are talking to. Personally, it is a large sum of money for a first baseman who only hits for 1/2 season. He is a super slow starter and rarely is in form until the all-star break. I'm not sure he is worth 20 million a year for 8 - 10 years. But, he does play gold glove defense and is all-business. He is the Anti-Manny Ramirez.

Getting back to the peavy/towers debacle, One of the reasons peavy was hesitant to waive his no trade clause to the braves was because we would have been losing a top tier SS in exchange and that made him uncomfortable. However now with yunel unavailable, doesnt this make atlanta more enticing? I still don't think this deal will ever get done, but with the braves since adding furcal, vasquez, and logan (decent LH reliever) I think the braves are adding pieces that makes them more appealing than the team looked in November.

Tex was amazing for us when we got him last year. However, he was almost Andruw Jones like in his inability to get a clutch hit this past season.It seemed like he hit into a double play every other at bat. Braves fans, was it just me or did he do most of his damage in games where we were down by 10 runs ?

The lineup at the moment:

McCann C
Kotchman 1B
Furcal 2B/SS
Escobar SS/2B
Chipper 3B
Johnson/Diaz LF
Anderson/Blanco/Schafer CF
Frenchy RF

If we add that right handed power bat we will be looking very good. Actually i believe Adam Dunn would do just fine as the power bat we need even though he hits lefty.

Good sign by the Braves if they are attempting to get back into the Peavy sweepstakes and Wren has not wasted too much time and Towers has really stopped all negotiations regarding him.

Braves pick up Peavy, add another decent hitter to protect Jones and the Braves may be able to contend in 2009.

I agree with the comments on the clutch, or lack there of from Teixeira. However, we have a small sample ( one full season) of his career. Having not seen many rangers games, I cant say whether or not he was clutch because that team was always terrible.

What do you guys think about jordan schafer? I was incredibly disappointed when he was busted with HGH. I hate cheaters and I lost all respect for him. We need to get rid of him and get something in return for him before he becomes the next Felix Pie, you know what I'm talking about cub fans.

Frank Wren is starting to shine! I hate to say it, but I told you so!!!! Furcal back in a Braves uniform!!!

So now what to do, I used to think that Peavy would be a good idea, but the more I think about Greinke or Maholm both which could be excellent pitchers if they were actually on a good team might just be a better option.

This is my projected starting rotation.

Smoltz
Greinke/Maholm
Jurrjens
Vasquez
Campillo/Glavine

My gut feeling is that Greinke is worth more than Escobar, but Greinke's only under KC's control for 2 more years, right? He's going to get $4-5M this year, and more next year. That might make it fair.

Maybe Escobar and Morton/Reyes, but not Hanson.

KJ is way more valuable than he gets credit for. Seems like trading Escobar is the right move.

Then again, the OF is so bad, moving KJ there is an option too. No idea where they're going to get more power though.

As far as Adam Dunn goes...the only way he needs to be in a Braves uniform would be at first base! So unless we can trade Kotchman I don't see that happening.

chief tomahawk, I know the braves will NOT sign tex, I was just explaining his lack of clutch.
As for scahfer, hitting .269 in AA does not show me that he is ready for a starting big league job

if the dodgers wanted a young ss over one of the available vets why not just call up lung.
i bet they revisit the jack wilson talks

Schafer will and should be playing center field in '09!

This will bring speed back to the Braves!

Schafer will and should be playing center field in '09!

This will bring speed back to the Braves!

is his HGH supplier coming with him to Atlanta?

nice job Braves fans that condone this. Deny Deny, Deny. Anything to win huh?

I'd hope that if Michael Taylor ever got caught with this stuff that I wouldn't sound so carefree about his drug use, oh I'm sorry DRUG PURCHASE, no one ever proved he used it, ya right.

Please do NOT compare Jordan Schafer to Barry Bonds. At least Jordan admitted his mistake and paid his penalty without complaint. Bonds is an arrogant jerk who will never admit to anything.

Jordan is the FUTURE of the Braves in CF. He is a slick fielder, strong arm, hits for power, hits for average, has speed. In other words, he is everything the Braves have been looking for.

At least he never beat his wife...brett myers.

philswschamps, come down off your high horse already. The kid messed up, does he have to be punished forever? And you saying the Braves pitching is mediocre makees me laugh, because you guys won the WS with mediocre pitching.

Yea theres not much worse than beating up a woman. I guess phills fans are very forgiving ?

Also, great sign phils fan on jamie moyer. he is going to be a year shy of 50 by the end of his two year deal.

"At least he never beat his wife...brett myers."

May 7, 1995, Bobby Cox arrested for beating his wife.

I don't know, I think Escobar is the better shortstop with more upside, obviously. Perhaps this allows them to re-open talks for Peavy. But I don't see them playing Furcal at second base, don't think that will happen. Which means they have to move Escobar and that's a shame, the kid is really good.

The deal's not done yet. As both an As fan and a Braves fan, I was hoping Furcal would end up with the As. I definitely thought they needed him more.
So this is pretty interesting. Hopefully the Braves can spin someone (KJ or YE) + others for pitching. What will bring Towers back to his senses?

Carolina, you're willing to offer a 24 year old who just put up a 140 ERA+ in his first full season for a good shortstop and a worthless outfielder? Hahaha, have fun!

ya i'll take another 2 years of sub 4 ERA for Moyer. YOu don't think he can continue to paint corners at age 47 and throw at least 80? You still think Morton or Jo Jo Reyes are the answer for the 4th and or 5th spot in your rotation???

I don't know where you guys are getting your information regarding Schafer. The story I've always seen is that he allegedly obtained the HGH from someone close to him, not an online pharmacy that would ship it to him, and that it was a player that had previously tested positive for banned substances that gave him up. He still denies it and there is little actual evidence that HGH helps you improve at baseball, so I'll give Jordan the benefit of the doubt. Besides he was 21 at the time...yeah no 21 year old has ever made a bad decision they regret.

Anyway, lueds20, he was coming off a 50 game suspension, getting dropped right into the middle of AA where everyone had been playing for around 2 months. Obviously it took him some time to get adjusted and get his timing back. Even though his AVG was still low throughout the season, he still posted a very good OBP because his BB rate went up significantly and he continued to show improved power. Following the All Star Break (the start of the "2nd half of the season"), he OPSed in the neighborhood of 1000. That would be impressive for anyone, let alone a great defensive CF.

"Hahaha, Dodgers fans I hope you like you some Jack Wilson :-)"

"if the dodgers wanted a young ss over one of the available vets why not just call up lung.
i bet they revisit the jack wilson talks"

I'm going to go with, "No." As much as the Pirate fan base wants to try to push Wilson on the Dodgers, Colletti has repeatedly said he's not interested in Wilson since the trade deadline. The Dodgers aren't going to add $7M for Wilson when they have Hu, possibly Berroa for $2M and Ivan DeJesus Jr. in the minors.
But keep dreaming Bucs fans.

Tomahawk, tell ya what, the Phillies wouldn't trade their rings for all the minor league talent in the world. Stop being stupid.

If the Royals send over Greinke they will alienate a substantial part of their fan base. Whoever would get Greinke in that deal would be getting the best available pitcher on the market this winter....Sabathia included. Greinke is a serious Cy Young candidate from here on out.

I have to agree, I think Escobar would be a good starting point for Greinke. Not saying that gets it done alone obviously, but Greinke's eventual package won't top Peavy's unless he goes out and dominates again this year and gets traded next offseason instead.

Great signing by the Braves, absolutely love this move. I still think they could have an outside shot at the East next year if they can find another starter.

Let's hope Furcal doesn't get injured like the last season.

I didn't say that was all I wanted, I just said that was a starting point.

Personally, I think Escobar, Francouer, Heyward, and Locke would be what it would take for me to pull the trigger.
I know Volquez had a 140 ERA+, but I look at his splits and his command issues and see a one or two year wonder.

The Phillies WS win was a fluke. Shane Victorino is not a great player. Ryan Howard is great...I think Chase Utely is even greater. Hamels is really a beast. Beyond that...the Phillies aren't that great. They don't know how to play small ball... Power hitting only comes in streaks and their's is coming to an end.

If Furcal signs with the Braves, you will see an increase in 1-run games that the Braves pull out of. We struggled there last year.

Furcal opens up the lineup. The Braves have some great hitters with Chipper, BMac, and yes even Frenchy sometimes...but they won't produce unless there is a decent catalyst to give that boost at the top of the lineup. It's not a coincidence that the Braves haven't made the playoffs since his departure.

Small ball is slowly coming back. The Rays showed last year with a good mix of power and small ball...you can do damage with players that don't have much experience. I see the Braves being competitive with just one more above average pitcher.

DodgersBruins, Furcal does NOT have a better arm than Escobar. Yunel has one of the strongest arms in the game. Furcal does have slightly better range. The Braves would play Furcal at 2B to lessen the wear and tear on his back.

DodgersBruin,

I know that you are on the other side of the world and may not get the chance to watch the Braves, but I would say the arm strength of Escobar compared to Furcal would be quite close if not better.

Carolina, that might be the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Escobar,Francour,Heyward,and Locke???? Are you insane, we better get half of the Royals roster for that deal!

The Atlanta Braves have reached preliminary agreement on a multiyear contract with free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, a baseball source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The deal is pending completion of a physical exam. The source said the agreement was finalized in a phone call from Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, to Atlanta general manager Frank Wren on Tuesday morning. A club spokesman said an announcement has yet to be scheduled.

Carolina, you have Escobar and Frenchie as a starting point and throw in Heyward as a filler??? You're a little backwards on what a start point is.

Fine, if you say Escobar has the better arm, then he does. Still doesn't change the fact that Furcal doesn't want to play 2B and is the veteran. Either Escobar is traded or he's the 2B. It won't be Furcal.

I hope the Braves keep Escobar. I'm not sure if a package built around Johnson could get us the true Ace we need. That still leaves us with a few options. 1)Take a chance and sign Sheets to a two year deal with a vesting option based on innings pitched for the third year. 2)After signing Sheets, we should wait the market out and try to bring a guy in like the Cardinals did last year with Kyle Lohse on a one year deal. Candidates: Daniel Cabrera, Randy Johnson, raden Looper, or even possibly John Garland. Depending on what the Braves would spend on Sheets, they might could still sign Kawakami. If the Braves are only able to sign one pitcher, they could even take a chance on an injured player, preferebly a younger one like Mark Prior, Brad Penny, or Carl Pavano. 3) Then you could build a package around Johnson for the much needed outfielder.

Crasnick says it's official now: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3772806&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

? Furcal has a better arm than Escobar but Yunel is the better defender.

Furcal has one of the best arms in baseball, perhaps the best among infielders. I realize Yunel is a stud but he's a better defender than Furcal because of range, certainly not arm strength.

Gotta say Braves, I like Furcal a lot, and he addresses the leadoff woes, but... I don't like this deal.

Unless Furcal was signed to play 2B, you will lose Escobar, who is signed for cheap, is better defensively, and improving quickly with the bat. You need a righty outfielder and a top flight starter, not another strong SS. Unless Wren has some deal in place to fleece someone with Escobar, something doesn't add up.