Furcal Prefers To Re-Sign With Dodgers
Rafael Furcal‘s agent, Paul Kinzer, says the Dodgers are his client’s first choice and he hopes to re-sign before the free agent signing period begins.
Furcal was off to an incredible start this year until a back injury sidelined him in May. Before the injury, I was predicting $75MM over five years. Now we’re probably looking at $12MM per year for two or three years, maybe with incentives involved. It only takes one maverick team to defy expectations, though. Magglio Ordonez got five guaranteed years following experimental knee surgery, though the Tigers received an opt-out clause in case that injury re-occurred.
If Furcal re-signs, the free agent shortstop market will be bleak. Orlando Cabrera will be the top guy.
More Rosenthal: Furcal, Dunn, Yankees, Mets
And more from Ken Rosenthal, this time his Full Count video:
- The Dodgers will have an opening at shortstop in the offseason and could re-sign Rafael Furcal. They like his work ethic and what he’s brought their team, offensively and defensively, during his stay.
- The bigger the contract for Mark Teixeira, the pricier Adam Dunn becomes. Yet, Dunn will cost less and may just be more appealing than Teixeira.
- The Yankees and Mets will be looking to solve roster holes by promoting prospects. Carl Pavano, on a rehab assignment, is not being counted on.
Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Kotsay, Street
Time to round up today’s links.
- Hank Steinbrenner admits Barry Bonds‘ name will be mentioned at today’s meeting of Yankees execs.
- Mark Cuban is a finalist to buy the Cubs.
- Pirates president Frank Coonelly expressed frustration with the Pedro Alvarez negotiations, in the first public comments on those talks.
- Dejan Kovacevic’s source says the Pirates aren’t requiring two prospects for Xavier Nady or Damaso Marte. One elite prospect would work.
- Mark Kotsay wonders if he’ll be traded this year. As with Mark Teixeira, it’ll depend heavily on the next week.
- Richard Justice takes Drayton McLane to task.
- DRays Bay relays a Peter Gammons report that the A’s are shopping Huston Street to the Red Sox, Rays, and White Sox.
- David Weathers doesn’t remember which teams are on his limited no-trade clause.
- Tom Henke’s Army is back, with reinforcements.
- Sam Mellinger thinks the Royals should sign Rafael Furcal this winter. I concur.
- Joe Posnanski believes that the Royals should try Tony Pena Jr. as a pticher, all kidding aside. He bemoans the lack of "outside the box" thinking in baseball.
Dodgers Interested In Jack Wilson, C.C. Sabathia
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers have jumped into the fray for C.C. Sabathia. They don’t have a Matt LaPorta-caliber prospect, but they could make a substantial three-player offer. The Dodgers, being a big market club, could try to sign Sabathia before he hits free agency.
Rosenthal says the Dodgers are simultaneously pursuing Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. He might require some of the same prospects, so L.A. probably can’t get both Wilson and Sabathia. Since Wilson is signed for ’09, such an acquisition might allow the Dodgers to let Rafael Furcal walk as a free agent. Based on Ned Colletti’s comments to MLB.com, he seems willing to let some talent go to get a regular shortstop.
On the Brewers-Sabathia front – LaPorta is in play, but if he’s included Alcides Escobar is out. The Brewers do not plan on offering up J.J. Hardy (Tom Haudricourt agrees). Rosenthal talked to some baseball people who believe Sabathia will be traded before his Tuesday start.
Dodgers Need A Shortstop
Rafael Furcal‘s contract year is not going as planned. It started out well, but now back surgery will sideline him at least two more months. Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News expects Dodgers GM Ned Colletti to survey the market for shortstops, even though he has no leverage.
Back on May 26th, we rattled off some possibly available shortstops. We can cross Alex Gonzalez off the list, and it sounds like the Nationals intend to keep Cristian Guzman. One available player omitted from the list is Juan Uribe.
The best attainable shortstop is probably Jack Wilson. Wilson, 30, is hitting .316/.357/.368 in 148 plate appearances since coming back from a strained calf. He has no-trade protection for six teams, and is signed through ’09 with a ’10 option. Chin-lung Hu would be a strong offer. The Wilson idea is pure speculation on my part; any Dodgers or Pirates fans want to weigh in?
Odds and Ends: Lane, Dodgers, Huntington
A collection of links to browse on this fine Monday.
- Jason Lane can exercise an out clause if he’s not promoted to the bigs today. The 31 year-old outfielder is hitting .248/.340/.485 with 11 home runs in 202 Triple A at-bats.
- The Dodgers hope to acquire a veteran utility infielder as an insurance policy for Rafael Furcal. Any suggestions?
- The Hardball Times’ Mike Lee did an enjoyable interview with Pirates GM Neal Huntington. I have a feeling we’ll get a better grasp on Huntington’s trading abilities within the next few months.
- CBSSports.com added Danny Knobler to their team. He’s always been a good source for inside info on the Tigers.
- RotoAuthority has waiver wire advice at every position.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Blanton, Furcal, Penny, Burnett, Greinke
The latest from Ken Rosenthal’s Full Count video:
- The Braves called the A’s about Joe Blanton but did not even come close to meeting Billy Beane’s price.
- The Dodgers may not want to lock up Rafael Furcal, the oft-injured shortstop, to a long term contract. Also, with Brad Penny‘s struggles, they may pass on his 2009 club option and trade him this season. They’d get something in return rather than pay his $2MM buyout in the offseason.
- The only way the Jays will trade A.J. Burnett is if they fall completely out of contention. Otherwise, he is a cornerstone to their only chance: "pitching teams into the ground."
- The Royals could field offers for Zack Greinke. Their farm system has thinned and they could replace Greinke in the rotation with Joakim Soria.
By Nat Boyle
Dodgers Looking For Emergency Shortstop
The Dodgers placed shortstop Rafael Furcal on the DL today, and MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick says they’re trying to acquire an emergency replacement. Furcal will be eligible to return on May 21st. He’s been perhaps the game’s best hitting shortstop to date.
Perhaps the Rays’ Andy Cannizaro would make sense? The Dodgers have been using Chin-lung Hu at short; despite his lack of offense it may be best to just stick with him.
Odds and Ends: Doue, Furcal, Kuroda
Here are today’s links.
- Dave Cameron notes Nelson Cruz‘s video game numbers in Triple A and suggests he deserves another shot.
- Japanese catcher Hayato Doue was expected to join the Red Sox organization, but visa problems have gotten in the way.
- Buster Olney notes that Rafael Furcal will test free agency if he can’t hammer out an extension with the Dodgers by midseason.
- Shigetoshi Hasegawa denies the notion that he pushed Hiroki Kuroda toward the Dodgers.
- Athletics Nation sees Billy Beane targeting pitcher Tanner Scheppers if he’s available with the 12th pick. Also, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has an overall look at the ’08 draft class.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Rafael Furcal
Indicators predicting a big year for Rafael Furcal included his impending free agency, a return to health, and a strong Spring Training performance. After 28 games, he sits at .371/.459/.586 (tops among shortstops).
When Furcal first reached free agency after the 2005 season, he was only 28 and was coming off a .284/.348/.429 season. He chose to maximize his yearly salary rather than take a four or five-year deal. The three-year, $39MM contract Furcal signed with the Dodgers allows him to re-enter free agency at age 31.
Furcal is in line for a monster contract even if he can’t maintain his MVP performance. Jimmy Rollins is signed at a well below-market price, so he’s a poor comparable. The high-end comp is Derek Jeter, who gave up nine free agent years for a bit less than $20MM per season. Furcal’s agent, Paul Kinzer, could reasonably ask for $75MM over five years.
Furcal and the Dodgers are open to a midseason extension, according to Ken Rosenthal. That’d make Chin-Lung Hu a valuable trade chip. Back in ’05, the Cubs and Braves competed with the Dodgers for Furcal. The White Sox, Blue Jays, Nationals, and Cardinals could enter the mix next winter if Furcal reaches free agency.