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Rafael Furcal

Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Tejada

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Ken Rosenthal did an Inside Pitch video yesterday; let’s discuss.

  • Rosenthal says Rafael Furcal and the Dodgers are open to discussing an extension during the season.  Furcal makes $13MM this year and would be a hot commodity on the free agent market.  If the Dodgers re-sign him, shortstop Chin-Lung Hu becomes valuable trade bait.
  • Rosenthal notes that the biggest downside to Miguel Tejada’s age revelation is his reduced trade value.  It’s possible the ’Stros could look to clean house in July or after the season.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Lohse, Furcal, Lofton

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FOX’s Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest buzz from Spring Training.

  • The Mets, Cardinals, and Orioles are listed as possibilities for Kyle Lohse.  However, the Mets may deem him unnecessary, reports are conflicting on the Cards’ interest, and the Orioles are wary of the price.
  • Rosenthal says Rafael Furcal’s agent met with Ned Colletti a few days ago, but the Dodgers would likely want to see Furcal return to form before entertaining an extension.  Click here to see the other shortstops eligible for free agency after the ’08 season.  The Dodgers may have a viable replacement for Furcal in defensive whiz Chin-Lung Hu.
  • Rosenthal notes that the Yankees, in search of a right-handed outfielder, considered Shannon Stewart and Mike Cameron this winter.
  • Kenny Lofton’s chances of a getting the big league deal he wants with the Reds or Twins look slim. 
  • The rumor going around for Corey Patterson is the Marlins, if the price is right.
  • Rosenthal confirms two additions for our 2008 Out Of Options list – Gabe Gross and Clint Barmes.
  • Rosenthal says the Mets need a right-handed hitter who can play left field and first base.  Here are some names I came up with: Ryan Ludwick, Xavier Nady, Matt Murton, Franklin Gutierrez, and Kevin Millar.  Granted, not all those guys know their way around first base.

Odds and Ends: Fukudome, Burrell, Furcal, Rolen

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Two of my favorite local blogs have good hot stove posts for us today as part of Odds and Ends.

Cubdom Reacts To Furcal Signing

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The Cubs’ fan base has taken a reasoned approach to the Dodgers’ signing of Rafael Furcal.  Over at The Cub Reporter, Ruz praises GM Jim Hendry for not engaging in a bidding war.  He also recommends signing lower-tier outfielders and/or seeing what the kids can do instead of getting involved with Johnny Damon.

CubDumb also doesn’t seem to mind missing out on Furcal. 

Latest Cubs Rumors – Furcal, Wood, Nixon

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As we approach the winter meetings, all kinds of crazy rumors are making the rounds.  First and foremost is a possible three-way deal between the Rangers, A’s, and Cubs as reported by Sunday’s edition of the Chicago Tribune.  WSCR, a radio station in Chicago, has cited tomorrow’s Phil Rogers column about the trade.

The details:  The Cubs send Kerry Wood and $6MM to the Rangers for Kevin Mench.  The Cubs would also surrender Todd Walker and prospects and would receive Barry Zito from Oakland.  It’s unclear what prospects would go Oakland’s way, although it’s fair to speculate Beane would ask for #1 prospect Felix Pie.  Thanks to Alex and Mike for passing it along, and you can read a message board thread on the deal here.

My opinion?  Doesn’t sound valid in the proposed form.  As mentioned on the Inside The Ivy message board, it sounds more like a Phil Rogers opinion column.  Rogers can’t be reached to confirm the rumor.  The Cubs have plenty of starting pitcher and outfielder options on the table, and can make a deal without surrendering Pie.  Given that Beane holds the cards with six starters, only the Cubs’ very best could entice him.  I don’t think this deal happens.

I’ve also been informed that George Ofman from WSCR is reporting that Rafael Furcal will make his final decision by noon CST on December 4th.  It’s still unknown which way he’s leaning.  It’s well-known that the Dodgers have put in a three-year, $39MM bid for the shortstop.  The offer is a smart one and mitigates L.A.’s risk nicely.  Given that it could bring Furcal more money in both the short and long term, the Dodgers must be a serious option.

A source in the Red Sox organization mentions that the Cubs have interest in 31 year-old right fielder Trot Nixon.  Nixon hasn’t had 500 at-bats since 2002, but he’s hit well when healthy.  Nixon mashes right-handers but struggles mightily with southpaws.  The Red Sox are rumored to have interest in Corey Patterson.

Thanks to Alex, Mike, Nick, and Cody

Cubs Rumermongering: Lowe, Lugo, and Roberts?

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I caught a well-respected source shortly before he left for the winter meetings in Dallas today. 

He didn’t have anything on which way Rafael Furcal is leaning, but he did confirm that the Cubs’ offer of five years and about $50MM is on the table.  This is nothing new, but now you have one more source authenticating the fact that the Cubs guaranteed the fifth year.  Some sources have claimed that the Cubs came out of the gate with 5/50, but in reality their initial bid was four years and $38MM.

The Cubs are still in on Juan Pierre.  You’ve surely heard mention of interest from the Yankees, White Sox, and Padres lately.  Just a reminder that the Cubs do indeed have Pierre on their radar currently.

We’ve been talking about Milton Bradley for a week now, and talks are heating up with L.A.  Another name the Cubs are seriously considering is Derek Lowe. Lowe had a resurgent year in Los Angeles, and Hendry would feel much safer being able to pencil in 32 starts from him for ’06.  You can never have too much pitching.

Here and there, you may have heard that Carlos Zambrano could be had in a trade.  That’s absurd, of course.

Will Carroll mentioned in his Mill today that the Braves will snag Julio Lugo if Furcal departs.  It works the other way too – the Cubs will be hot on his trail if Furcal re-signs with Atlanta.

Finally, the Cubs are thinking about dealing for Dave Roberts to help out as a sort of utility outfielder.  The Padres have little need for him at this point.      

Details On Cubs’ Furcal Offer Revealed

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It has been widely reported at this point that Cubs GM Jim Hendry had dinner with Rafael Furcal and his wife on Sunday and made a contract offer.  Though the link is to a Paul Sullivan column, Bruce Levine initially broke the news yesterday on ESPN Radio 1000.  (Thanks to all that passed me that info).

MLBTradeRumors.com has now uncovered the details of Hendry’s offer.  According to a source close to the proceedings, the Cubs offered a four-year deal worth $38MM to Furcal. 

Furcal was the third-best shortstop in baseball in 2005, and it will take a deal larger than Edgar Renteria’s four-year, $40MM contract for the Cubs to reel him in.  Ultimately, the Cubs will probably have to come back with a five year offer worth a little more than $50MM.

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