Yahoo! reports Furcal is close to returning to L.A.
UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports writes that Furcal is re-signing with the Dodgers.
Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports that Rafael Furcal is nearing a return to the Dodgers after a confusing early part of the week. How this shakes out I have no idea. Just passing along the news.
More on Furcal from Buster Olney, who notes that the price on Raffy keeps creeping down. He explores some of the reasons this whole signing thing might be getting complicated:
Now, there might be a very good explanation for all this. Here are three possibilities, not all of them good.
1. Because of Furcal's extensive injury history -- he's missed about 150 games over the past two seasons -- his representatives are assuming nothing about whether he will pass a physical examination and are working diligently to create a landing place in the event Furcal's deal with the Braves dissolves because doctors in Atlanta don't like what they see.
2. The Dodgers were under the impression Monday afternoon that the offer they had to beat was four years and $40 million from the Athletics -- which turned out to be $2 million more than what Oakland had proposed -- and they retreated from the field. L.A. might have been surprised, then, to learn Tuesday that the deal Furcal seemed to be settling on was three years and $30 million, with a vesting offer for a fourth year contingent on whether Furcal plays in 132 games the third year. This is much closer to the two years and vesting option the Dodgers had discussed and back within range of what they are willing to pay. The Dodgers might have re-engaged at that point, and indeed, Dylan Hernandez reports that they increased their offer Tuesday.
3. Furcal might be sincerely conflicted about what he wants to do. He could go back to Atlanta, where he broke into the big leagues, but as Peter Gammons reported Tuesday night, he might have to shift to second base, with Yunel Escobar remaining at shortstop. It might be that he has wanted to remain with the Dodgers all along, and now that their offer might be comparable to what the Braves have proposed, he's having second thoughts.
BK
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I'm glad to hear this, although some might not be too big on Raffy coming back due to his injury history. I think Ned is making the right move on this and they are both working to try to make this work out. 3 yrs isn't too bad and I can't believe Raffy will become that injury prone. We'll see what happens.
Posted by: Matsuda | December 17, 2008 at 01:41 PM
I think this has been some brilliant work by Raffy's agent to artificially up the price. I believe that the source without "authority" to speak is someone in the agent's office, who is putting out these rumors to spur the Dodgers into spending more.
Call me a cynic, but I think the only reason Furcal is "leaning" towards the Dodgers is because the Dodgers do in fact have deeper pockets than the Braves or As. Look at the payrolls for the last decade; it is obvious that neither Atlanta nor Oakland will ever spend as much as Los Angeles, and every agent worth his salt knows this. Fans on here can complain all they want about McCourt not spending enough--and I'm not going to say they COULDN'T spend more--but the fact is we are already in the top 5 in MLB payroll.
But if you want to get angry here and rally against the Blue front office, you can certainly do so on the grounds that Colletti is allowing himself to be talked into spending much, much more than he should on a HUGE injury risk. Fair market value for a guy who played in 36 games this year is NOT $10 million per. Colletti's weakness is in his inability to navigate baseball's backchannels for real information on what other teams are willing to spend. He is a sucker at the negotiating table, and this deal has DL millions written all over it.
At least DePodesta had Billy Beane's rolodex.
Posted by: VA Blueblood | December 17, 2008 at 01:54 PM
I'd like to see them keep Raffy even with his injury history. When he does play, he's an offensive sparkplug, and he's also a legit leadoff hitter, which they don't really have with him gone, unless you want Juan Pierre starting in LF. Considering what the going rate on Cabrera looks like, Furcal would be worth it. If he does get hurt, then DeJesus will get a chance to prove himself. If he doesn't do well, then you have Furcal back when he's healthy. If DeJesus does well, then when Furcal comes back, you let him play long enough to convince other teams he's healthy and trade him.
Posted by: neoncactus | December 17, 2008 at 02:37 PM
He stays with us
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8954110/Sources:-Furcal-picks-Dodgers-over-Braves
Posted by: andres | December 17, 2008 at 02:40 PM
andres-
Careful using Ken Rosenthal's article as the final authority on where Furcal ends up. Rosenthal's "sources" also broke the story that Furcal was going to the Braves, and that it was a done deal all day yesterday... and even up until a few hours ago, he still had the article up where Furcal was "leaning towards ATL." That guy is a joke.
Posted by: Higgins | December 17, 2008 at 03:26 PM
The Mark Loretta era begins April 25, when Furcal goes back on the DL after sliding hard into second base on a cold, snowy night in Colorado.
Posted by: SaMo | December 17, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Welcome back Raffy
Just take care of yourself!
Posted by: jukuren | December 17, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Do we still have Berroa? Manny needs his mascot.
Posted by: benzojones | December 17, 2008 at 03:41 PM
"The Braves then believed they had a deal. No member of the Braves’ front office – not Wren, not longtime former GM John Schuerholz – could recall a time when a signed term sheet was not the equivalent of a handshake agreement, ethically – if not legally – binding.
Instead, the Braves believe, Kinzer shopped the term sheet to the Dodgers. That said, the Braves’ offer to Furcal stands."
LOL! Oh man! The things people do. I give Furcal's agent credit on this one. Asking for a term sheet and then showing it the Dodgers. LOL!
That's the way to convince the Dodgers that the deal was serious.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | December 17, 2008 at 03:57 PM
I'd be happy to see Furcal back. While his back injury is troubling, he showed that he was healthy at the end of the year. And even before then, it seems that he showed good faith about being responsible with his rehab and being up-front with the team, unlike some other players I could name. BradPenny
And you really can't call him "injury prone" because the injury from two years ago wasn't really his fault. He was just unlucky to be steamrolled by REPKO (who, you'll recall, enjoys driving his enemies before him so that he can hear the lamentations of their women and children). If it wasn't Furcal, it was only a matter of time before another Dodger was REPKO'd.
Posted by: Eric B. | December 17, 2008 at 04:21 PM
This is good news... finally.
Posted by: Dominic | December 17, 2008 at 05:02 PM
so they'll resign Furcal and that'll be our X-MAS present. This Dodger front office is a Joke they need to send Ned packing. This i guarantee Manny will be an Angel next season if they don't sign TEX, so what will the Dodgers do after the Angels sign Manny? They will raise there tix prices's again and have another mediocre team and hope that come May they get lucky again with a team that is ready to dump some players. I think us True Blue Fans need to do something to show this owner that we deserve better.
Posted by: gusto | December 17, 2008 at 05:05 PM
This further convinces me that the Dodgers have a long term plan to build their revenues over the next few years in anticipation of the completion of their Dodger Stadium renovation in 2012 (and hopefully, the launching of a Dodgers regional network). As reported, the deal is for $7.5 million in 2009, $9.5 million in 2010, $13 million in 2011, and if vesting requirements are met in 2011, a salary of $13 million in 2012. If he does not vest, then there is a $3 million buyout following the 2011 season. The deal is clearly backloaded.
Another reason for backloading the deal could also be to free up more salary room for this year in anticipation of signing a pitcher or two, and possibly even Manny (or another outfielder). Backloading the deal also makes sense, since following this season the Dodgers will no longer be obligated to Schmidt and Jones.
Is this a good deal? I can't answer that, since in no way do I know the condition of Furcal's back. Hopefully, the Dodgers do. And even though Furcal never submitted to physicals with the A's or Braves, I assume that the preliminary information they did have, convinced them to move forward with their offers.
If Furcal is healthy, then it's a great deal. It solidifies the Dodgers lineup, and also enables Ivan De Jesus to get in a year of AAA. In addition to serving as insurance for Furcal, I also see De Jesus serving as insurance for Casey Blake. If at anytime there is a need or a desire to replace Blake at 3B, then it is not inconceivable that De Jesus could be recalled to play 2B, with DeWitt moving over to 3B. Also, should the Dodgers have needs at or before the July 31st trading deadline, Blake is a chip that could be utilized in a deal, especially given his modest contract (i.e., by today's standards).
Assuming that this deal is completed (I won't count my chickens until they actually hatch), the Dodgers will open the season with a legitimate leadoff hitter, and hopefully all the talk I've been hearing that Pierre could end up leading off will end, and that by some means the Dodgers will be able to grant Pierre his wish to be traded. In fact, the backloading of Furcal's contract also leaves some room for the Dodgers to absorb some of Pierre's remaining $28.5 million over the next three years.
Posted by: Brooklyn Dodger | December 17, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Ned rolls the dice.
Could be a terrific bargain or it could be a disaster (or possibly somewhere in between). I can see why Ned is doing it though. Now they can sign a Berroa insurance policy.
My question (as always), how is Furcal going to live off of 30 million for the next three years?
These are tough times, no doubt...
Posted by: Andy B | December 17, 2008 at 05:46 PM
What I don't get is when "True Blue Fans" have ever expected the Dodgers to be big players for free agents. We're not that team over there with pinstripes. Our big names have always been home grown, even in the last 20 years: Karros. Piazza. Beltre. Nomo (technically). Valenzuela.
Posted by: cjms | December 17, 2008 at 05:49 PM
With signing RF @ $33 million and CB @ $18 million the Dodgers have committed $51 million. Sign Manny @ $62 million over 3 and RJ @ $5 million for 1 they would still have $12 million to spend for a pitcher for a total of $130 million spent this winter and a $130 million payroll for '09. 130 will get you 130.
Posted by: A Scanner Darkly | December 17, 2008 at 05:49 PM
If he's healthy, it's great. If we get the guy we had in the playoffs--struggling to be in the game in spite of a chronic back issue--this is a disaster. Time will tell...
If we don't get Manny, I don't think they'll miss on Dunn. I can live with that.
Posted by: VA Blueblood | December 17, 2008 at 05:59 PM
As great as Manny was last year--and I hope we can get him back for a year or two, we played as well with Raffy in April/May as we did with Manny in August/September. Both sparked the offense, in different ways, but with the same impact. I feel a lot better about next year knowing we have a solid offensive and defensive infield returning. If Ned can get us a reliable starter or two I'd feel very very encouraged about our chances of winning the West next year with or without Manny. If you can get Manny too, then "Katie bar the door."
(Am I the only one wondering why we haven't made an offer to Randy Wolf or Randy Johnson yet? Granted one is old and the other has had some injury history, but who hasn't out there? Both of these guys could be had for one year and if healthy, could win 15 games and if not, they wouldn't break the bank. What is Sabbathia getting--23 mil a year?? We could sign Johnson, Wolf, and Andy Pettite (or you can pick any other 3 pitchers in this category) for what one year of Sabbathia is going to cost New York--I bet their combined wins next year will far surpass C.C.'s even if all 3 spent some time on the DL.)
Posted by: dodgerskip | December 17, 2008 at 06:06 PM
This is a good deal. Look at it this way. Every day that Furcal plays, is one less day that Joe will feel the need to start Pierre.
David
Posted by: David s | December 17, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Dear Santa,
Please bring all of us Dodger fans a HEALTHY Furcal.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Go Blue!
Posted by: ApaulO | December 17, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Scanner,
Those salaries are for multiple years. I see the 130 spent for this year but how do you know the 09 salary will be 130
Posted by: K T | December 18, 2008 at 07:49 AM