So Rafael Furcal's agent has decided that mystery is overrated and has announced that four teams are still in the mix for Furcal: the A's, the Dodgers, the Blue Jays, and the Royals. A few thoughts if these are indeed the teams still vying for Furcal's services:
That list would suggest the A's still as front-runners, because the Dodgers haven't shown any more interest in a three-year commitment than they did in a four-year commitment - in fact their interest, since Furcal first announced what he was looking for, has been tepid at best. The Jays and Royals don't appear likely to bid high, meaning that if it's now a question of who will make the best three-year offer, I'd bet on Oakland to be able to come in with the best offer financially.
It's interesting that the Royals are in the mix, in that they have a SS, Mike Aviles, who had a terrific 2008 season (word is if the Royals signed Furcal, Aviles would move over to 2B). Granted he came out of nowhere and is almost Furcal's age, but SS is not among KC's biggest holes at the moment. That may speak more to how many holes KC has than how good Aviles is, but still - are the Royals going to go all out to take a chance on Furcal when they have other needs that are more pressing?
No Twins, no Indians, just, according to Paul Kinzer, three teams with less reason and resources to sign Furcal than the A's have...and the A's. Interesting.
0 recs | 170 comments
The BlueJays also have Scutaro penciled in at SS already right?
They’d be the main competition judging from that list. Also the Dodgers just signed Casey Blake, so theres some more money out of the Dodgers pot.
Zonis - December 9, 2008
Scutaro belongs at 2B; maybe that what the Jays are thinking
But the economy has hit the Jays among the hardest, so I can’t see them risking too much money on a guy with an injury history.
Nico - December 9, 2008
Yeah but the Jays have Aaron Hill coming back for 2B.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
Didn't he dump LuAnn and move to Hawaii?
Nico - December 9, 2008
WOW
you never cease to amaze me nico
flipgatey3 - December 9, 2008
LOL
you must be thinking of Gunther
batgirl - December 10, 2008
nope. aaron moved to hawaii, gunther stayed.
though technically she & aaron weren’t really dating.
DMOAS - December 10, 2008
Jays to use Burnett money on Furcal
I wouldn’t be so quick to rule out the Jays financially. They could use the money they had planned to spend on Burnett.
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-furcalbluejays120808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Larry E - December 9, 2008
One more time
Blue Jays are interested in Furcal
By Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports
Dec 8, 20:42 EST
PrintRelated Video Maddux takes a bow Maddux takes a bow
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More MLB Videos More From Tim BrownSabathia, Giants do not have meeting planned Dec 9, 2008 Angels are about to fly into the fray Dec 9, 2008
LAS VEGAS – Last we heard from Rafael Furcal, the free-agent shortstop had turned down a four-year offer from the Oakland Athletics amid reduced demand all over and concerns that his back problems could flare up again.
Would he be forced to slink back to the Dodgers and their potential three-year offer? He did say after the season that he wanted to continue to play in L.A.
Or would he scour the fast-drying landscape only to return to the A’s $35 million to $40 million proposal, which would result in a significant pay cut from the $13 million a year he made on his last contract. An A’s source said the offer is still on the table.
Another suitor has entered the picture, however. The Toronto Blue Jays believe they might be able to swoop in and sign Furcal with money they had earmarked to re-sign pitcher A.J. Burnett, a source said Monday at the winter meetings.
No way Burnett is coming back to Toronto, so upgrading at shortstop, where the light-hitting John McDonald is the incumbent, is an appealing idea to Blue Jays brass. However, it probably would take going a fourth year for Furcal and increasing the overall value of the offer beyond what the A’s offered.
Larry E - December 9, 2008
Working link
here.
oblique - December 9, 2008
I think the Jays are a serious suitor,
but I don’t see them offering 4 years and more than what the A’s offered. If they do, so be it, but I can’t see a team swooping in to take that kind of risk both in years and money.
Nico - December 9, 2008
One Fact Running Against the Blue Jays
The tanking exchange rate is making their money worth less… that money they had earmarked for burnett is now worth only 80% on the dollar.
JP Ricciardi was on ESPN radio talking about this last week.
johnjahafanclub - December 10, 2008
Scutaro belongs on the bench
He’s not a starter.
thejd44 - December 9, 2008
And yet Dial had him as the best SS in the AL last year by OPD
WaddellCanseco - December 10, 2008
Anyone else think Furcal and his agent f#@*ed themseleves
with their initial reaction to the A’s original offer? Not saying Furcal is gonna sign with the A’s (although he would still be a terrific upgrade at SS over Crosby) but I can’t see him getting anymore than 3/33 from the A’s at this point. Very intereseted to see what happens next……
mrod - December 9, 2008
Right and the prices are dropping, not rising.
WaddellCanseco - December 9, 2008
If you can handle the 568+ comment thread a couple down from this one,
you’ll see I think Furcal and his agent may have f#@*ed themselves.
Nico - December 9, 2008
That's good news to me
Especially since I’m still in the “Sign Furcal as No. 1 priority” camp. KC has been known the last couple years to make one big FA signing per offseason so I wouldn’t discount them. I don’t think Jays will seriously make a push for him so really I see it coming down to the A’s, Dodgers, and KC. After the Blake & Loretta signings and the myriad of other holes that the Dodgers have I’d say KC is more of a threat than LA at this point.
Helloooo 1st - December 9, 2008
so where does Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated
get that the Dodgers are making signing Furcal “their top priority”?
OaklandSi - December 9, 2008
Weird - it seemed that as soon as Furcal said
he wanted a long-term deal the Dodgers said “Count us out.” It appeared to me they were interested in a 1-2 year commitment, but not more. I also wonder, in a market like LA, how influential it might have been that Furcal had such a disastrous game in his last one – a “knocked out of the playoffs” game. I remember thinking, after the game, “He gone.”
Nico - December 9, 2008
Maybe he'd prefer the shorter deal for more bucks
WaddellCanseco - December 9, 2008
In which case the A's can accommodate him.
2/24 should sound lovely to Beane, what with Holliday and/or Chavez potentially coming off the books soon and the SS prospects arriving around 2011.
Nico - December 9, 2008
Sounds good to me, but Furcal may prefer something like 1/$13 to prove he's healthy
WaddellCanseco - December 9, 2008
I'd like that even better
Nico - December 9, 2008
Me too
Because then you get him for one year, and if he’s good/healthy you can offer him arbitration after 2009. If he takes it, fine. If not, he might be worth a pick or two. And, even if he’s not, you still got one good year out of the guy and didn’t really lose anything except the money spent.
thejd44 - December 9, 2008
Colletti and McCourt want another excuse not to pursue Manny
since McCourt’s previous excuse caused a PR backlash.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
If I'm right, the Royals really don't have the payroll resources this offseason
to make a major signing.
Guillen can’t be moved, so that’s a shitton of money locked up in worthlessness.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
I worry about the Royals.
They have a recent history of dispensing large amounts of cash to FAs that won’t make any dent in how badly they suck.
oblique - December 9, 2008
If your claim is true, then they wouldn't want a player who does make a dent in how badly they suck.
like Furcal
And, Meche was a good signing. Well worth the money. Just not good timing, but really smart signing.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
the added 2-3 wins aren't going to save the Royals or put them in the playoffs
DyeLongJustice - December 9, 2008
Yep
The Royals appear to be desperately seeking win #82 for no apparent reason.
nevermoor - December 9, 2008
It's been a while since they had a winning season
I imagine win #82 would be pretty sweet. Who got win #82 for them last time around? Bret Saberhagen?
Nico - December 9, 2008
it's been five years (2003), hasn't it?
I think that the Pirates and Nationals have something to say on this issue.
DyeLongJustice - December 9, 2008
Don't forget the Orioles.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
Why not? Their fans try to
Nico - December 9, 2008
LOLrioles....
DyeLongJustice - December 9, 2008
Yep, that memorable 3rd place 83-79 season in 2003.
In a bit a randomness, recent Giants acquisition Jeremey Affeldt picked up win 82 for them that year. It was his sophomore season and his only one as a full-time starter. They went on to finish the season 1-6.
More oddity: The last 82+ win season for KCR happened exactly a decade before that, in 1993 (84-78). Jeff Montgomery picked up win 82 in relief that year, en route to winning the AL Rolaids Relief award. Montgomery had a great career that went to waste; he racked up 304 saves (19th all-time) closing out games for the hapless Royals of the late 80’s and all of the 90’s.
What to take from this? The good money’s on the Royals to not finish on the happy side of .500 ’till 2013.
GoA's - December 9, 2008
True.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
Meche is a great deal in a vacuum
But a pretty silly trade for that particular franchise unless they trade him for prospects soon.
thejd44 - December 10, 2008
He was a FA signee
Helloooo 1st - December 10, 2008
Guillen was horrible though.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
Interview with Geren
link
Pretty informal but does have some updates on the injured A’s
Helloooo 1st - December 9, 2008
So let's get this straight
Three teams that would require the GM to beg the owner for cash to even start talking to him or a team that made a competitive offer that you turned down. Brilliant agent that Kinzer is.
DMOAS - December 9, 2008
Yup. I still predict Furcal will get neither 4 years nor 36 million
from anyone else. K-Rod just signed for 3/37 – Kinzer’s other client. Who do you think will command a better three-year deal, K-Rod or Furcal? Welcome to 3/30, Rafael…If you’re willing to sign with Oakland, that is.
Nico - December 9, 2008
I don't think so
Market has to be stronger than that. Teams wouldn’t enter (I.E. Riccardi wouldn’t beg his owner) if they weren’t willing to beat the A’s old bid. Even if Beane has “retracted” the last bid, I don’t doubt its the new baseline.
ohmangoAs - December 9, 2008
Or, the offseason progresses to January
in which nobody tops the “baseline” offer, and thus the A’s get him at that offer.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
You already have "reports"
that teams are shifting their funds from other targets to Furcal. The Dodgers and Jays. Furcal below 4/40 is tremendous value. That’s why his price will go up. I’m serious. Burnett is definitely not going back to the Jays. They still may not be able to afford Furcal, but he’s their only stated target right now.
And, how much are you willing to bet on that? For 7M, you are risking a 3 win upgrade in 2009 (and the only SS option that would bridge smoothly to our raw SS prospects)
Actually, the Jason Donald idea is one decent alternative to furcal, but remember, that still concedes 3 wins in 2009.
ohmangoAs - December 9, 2008
I'm all for the Furcal acquisition.
What you stated might happen, and is also pretty likely.
If that happens, the A’s should act accordingly and raise their offer to appropriate levels to challenge other teams.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
I just think that's the issue
it’s possible 4/42 a week ago controls the cost- it’s a big enough offer to deter other teams.
Now, the A’s are in a bidding war, and have the honor of being the team that Furcal perceives as trying to “get him while he’s down”
ohmangoAs - December 9, 2008
If Furcal has such notions, that's ridiculous
Every team wants to get him while he’s down. The A’s just took first blood.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
The A's are in a bidding war?
That’s precisely what they’re NOT in.
The Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Royals might get into one, but the A’s have never bid against anyone for Furcal, and according to Beane they don’t intend to. Beane only makes offers when he has a client to himself. He did it once with Furcal, and he may do it again with Furcal. But he’s not in a bidding war.
Nico - December 9, 2008
+1
Bidding war… did someone forget to read the fan post?
gdub171 - December 9, 2008
Supposedly they were in a bidding war for Loaiza
WaddellCanseco - December 9, 2008
and we all know how that turned out
Zonis - December 9, 2008
My fear is that it may happen again.
WaddellCanseco - December 10, 2008
See my exchange rate comment above...
Toronto’s money they earmarked for Burnett is now worth 80% on the dollar b/c of the falling exchange rate… thus making it harder for Toronto to compete with American teams for FA’s…
johnjahafanclub - December 10, 2008
Agree
That is why theyll probably end up back in Oakland in a few days peddling for a few more million…something more like 4/40 with incentives for performance and games played…maybe the a’s give them none of that and get what they originally offered
yawedout21 - December 9, 2008
Ricciardi's owner just died.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
I almost posted something in very bad taste
WaddellCanseco - December 9, 2008
I almost flagged it
But first I almost laughed.
Nico - December 9, 2008
As I posted
I’d actually rather we try and acquire Jason Donald than sign Furcal at this rate.
And it would rather humorous to have a former Phillies Middle Infield come 2010 of Donald at SS and Cardenas at 2B, then stick Gio the mound… hell sign Burrell and put him at 1B!
Zonis - December 9, 2008
And Mike Schmidt for 3B!!!111!!
Nico - December 9, 2008
Matt "hit it up the" Stairs at DH?
GoA's - December 9, 2008
But will the A's hammer his ass?
Because he says he likes it.
thejd44 - December 10, 2008
"Hey, hey, be quiet. Watch this, this is the part where I nail his ass!"
Zonis - December 10, 2008
I'd rather go for Asdrubal Cabrera since he's actually MLB ready.
mikev - December 9, 2008
I'd rather not give up Anderson or Cahill in the process.
If the A’s can get him without Anderson/Cahill, go for it.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
I don't think it would take one of them to get Cabrera.
mikev - December 9, 2008
Shapiro isn't stupid.
SS prospects are like the holy grail of baseball. Cabrera has crazy upside.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
And yet they insisted on leaving him at 2B last year to appease... Jhonny Peralta?
mikev - December 9, 2008
Stupid managerial decision?
IDK. He’s still looked at as a SS, if I’m right.
Blicks - December 9, 2008
300 games at SS in the minors, 40 at 2B
mikev - December 9, 2008
Your point?
Wouldn’t make any difference to speak of if they had switched them. Maybe a run or two, max.
PaulThomas - December 9, 2008
Okay Paul, you're absolutely right, there is no sense in putting the superior defender at shortstop.
Honestly, sometimes I think that you just respond to shit just for the sake of making an argument.
mikev - December 9, 2008
There's certainly a reason not to
Players are not just numbers and if you’re a very, very good hitting SS (one of the best in the AL), even if you’re not great shakes defensively, you’d be pissed to be moved off the position you’ve played your entire life for a struggling rookie. If you piss Peralta off, he may demand a trade, and with no leverage you could end up selling a guy for 50 cents on the dollar.
vignette17 - December 9, 2008
Exactly
Would teams be better off, in some minor sense, if they rearranged their defensive personnel to conform strictly to the defensive spectrum? Yes.
Does that mean they’re going to do it? No (at least, not necessarily).
PaulThomas - December 9, 2008
Can't have it both ways, though.
Maybe Cabrera was struggling because he played shortstop his whole life and then got moved to second when he was called up? Maybe Cabrera is pissed now and wants to be traded? Why jerk around Cabrera to keep Peralta happy?
That’s an awful lot of speculation.
Besides, if Peralta gets upset, you tell him to shut his ass and look at A-rod. He switched to third base even though he was better than Jeter.
mikev - December 9, 2008
because Cabrera is a rookie and Peralta is a Veteran
Zonis - December 10, 2008
Dude, Cabrera OPSd 529 before they sent him down finally
He just wasn’t ready last year, at least coming out of st. Then he had a terrific second half after coming back up and he mostly played 2b.
Marcels has him OPS 800 next year and he’s 23. He isn’t going anywhere.
Perralta hit well last year, despite what you may think of him.
Buck Turgidson - December 10, 2008
Peralta's a fine hitter, but his defense is pretty bad.
At the same time, I’d take him over Crosby too!
mikev - December 10, 2008
I have that impression as well about jonnhy's defense
Thing is, how bad is it before it would be an overall scratch with Crosby?
Thing is I know Crosby sucks at the plate. But defensively how many runs does he save over somebody like Peralta?
Buck Turgidson - December 10, 2008
if you can't beat 'em...acquire them?
DyeLongJustice - December 9, 2008
This is sort of the scenario I wanted to try and avoid
We bid low on Furcal, and now we have 4 bidders because “the market is lower”. It’s possible we get him anyway, but this is the scenario in which we might lose him. We now have to outcompete Toronto, KC, and his hometown dodgers (who scare me the most).
I acknowledge that we might very well get him anyways, but given how big an upgrade he is (3 wins), this current risk was worth avoiding.
Also, Gammons basically repeats Kinser’s announcement:
ohmangoAs - December 9, 2008
Ah, Gammons...
We never left.
GoA's - December 9, 2008
Yes, it is….
The Dogfather - December 9, 2008
I always get an image of creepy Denzel Washington in my head when I hear that song...
Elvez - December 9, 2008
Good film.
OldhamA - December 9, 2008
A generational thing, I guess.
It reminds Me of Barbie Pettit, my seventh-grade crush.
And no, time wasn’t on my side.
The Dogfather - December 10, 2008
And if salb918 had a *requited* crush on the same girl, what would we call that?
monkeyball - December 10, 2008
This?
The Dogfather - December 10, 2008
Kinzer's getting a lot of press these days...
I dreamt last night that the A’s signed Furcal. There was also some sort of major trade, so the Furcal signing was basically an afterthought, but it happened. Take from that what you will.
whiteshoes40 - December 9, 2008
I dreamt of the signing about a week ago.
AN had like 20 posts about it and 3000 comments on one front page article.
muffinpryde - December 9, 2008
We haven't signed him
yet we’ve already had 20 posts and 3000 comments about him
Helloooo 1st - December 9, 2008
Ha ha, you're exaggerat--
Woah, whaddya know? You actually guessed low.
Nico - December 9, 2008
couldn't have had anything to do with it, could it?
OaklandSi - December 9, 2008
While actively not studying for my final tomorrow...
… I was looking around at other SBN sites. Pirates fans are all a-chatter about how the Dodgers are “exasperated” with the Bucs’ demands for Jack Wilson’s services. Perhaps the Dodgers will find a newfound drive to sign Furcal.
That would be teh suck.
Joey C. - December 9, 2008
leather pants bowden on on the prowl
doubt he’ll get any takers though
Brian Fuentes Rumors: Tuesday
By Tim Dierkes [December 9 at 10:59pm CST]
10:59pm: Rosenthal says the Nationals are also in the mix for Fuentes. His source says they want to sign Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez, plus Fuentes. Nationals GM Jim Bowden said on November 12th, “We are not pursuing Manny Ramirez.”
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
Asfan4ever723 - December 9, 2008
It'd be great if they signed Teixeira
Basically, as long as anyone besides the Angels or Yankees sign him, I’m satisfied.
Nico - December 9, 2008
What about the Red Sox?
I just want him out of the AL completely.
Helloooo 1st - December 10, 2008
So does Beane
From this morning’s Chronicle
GoA's - December 10, 2008
Great minds and all that
Helloooo 1st - December 10, 2008
11:46 p.m. — UPDATED: A's, Furcal's agent meet Tuesday night
11:46 p.m. — UPDATED: A’s, Furcal’s agent meet Tuesday night
Rafael Furcal remains the A’s top focus and the team resumed discussion with his agent Paul Kinzer on Tuesday night.
Kinzer said four teams remain in the running for the free-agent shortstop — the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Royals and A’s.
“Toronto and Kansas City told me the only guy they would go to ownership for is Furcal,” Kinzer said. “They’re serious.”
He is seeking a four-year guaranteed contract.
The Dodgers have been unwilling to go to that level, and the A’s withdrew temporarilly last week after Furcal rejected their four-year proposal.
If the Royals signed Furcal, they would move Mike Aviles to second base.
Furcal remains the A’s No. 1 priority despite the breakdown in negotiations that occurred last week. To sign Furcal, they might not offer the same amount of money as in their initial offer
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s…winter-meetings
Asfan4ever723 - December 9, 2008
I think Kinzer is blowing smoke trying to get those teams into a bidding war.
I think that no other teams actuallly made an offer, other than the A’s so far. They also thought the A’s were out of the running so they could get him for cheaper and 3 years. Now that the A’s are back in the others may just bow out.
Eastbayjim - December 9, 2008
what a fun offseason so far! :)
gotgreen - December 9, 2008
mlbtraderumers
Every team will be named today as interested at this rate. Kinser is busy throwing stuff out there again.
Athletix Man - December 9, 2008
I'm tired of Furcal.
I’m on the verge of not giving a shit.
…
Verge over. I don’t give a shit.
Poppy - December 9, 2008
You're not one for negotiations, are you?
thejd44 - December 10, 2008
I certainly don't have the patience for it. I'm with Poppy on this one.
It would be different if he were Teixeira or something. But Rafael Furcal? Come on.
WaddellCanseco - December 10, 2008
+about a million
batgirl - December 10, 2008
The Orioles
are going to sign Cesar Izturis.
day-to-day - December 10, 2008
That's a good move for them.
WaddellCanseco - December 10, 2008
Dodgers made a contract offer to Furcal
Zonis - December 10, 2008
2/$25M. Sounds like they're listening to Nico.
WaddellCanseco - December 10, 2008
That's a better offer than 4/36, flat out
A’s better up their bid.
PaulThomas - December 10, 2008
Unless they refuse to get into a bidding war
WaddellCanseco - December 10, 2008
OK, if they do, then Furcal should sign with the Dodgers...
PaulThomas - December 10, 2008
No!!! The trick when you're colluding with other owners/GMs...
…is not to flinch. There’s still collusion going on, right, Paul?
LowcountryJoe - December 10, 2008
Hey, *I'm* the #1 collusion-conspiracy theorist around here, bub!
monkeyball - December 10, 2008
Indeed
I’ll defer all my collusion/conspiracy-mongering questions to monkeyball…
PaulThomas - December 10, 2008
is it?
much higher annual salary, but only a 2 year deal. i somehow don’t see furcal getting a big contract after this one, so its in his interest to get the most years possible. plus, given his injury history, if he goes down for any period of time during this contract, he’s in big trouble after it. if 2/25 is what he’s looking for, i think we can match. i’m also suspicious about the dodgers offer – i think manny is learning he isn’t getting a 3-4 year deal, and will end up back in LA pretty soon. he’s the priority, not furcal. i gotta imagine they’ll wait to figure that out before really going after furcal.
guy incognito - December 10, 2008
4/36, versus 2/25, is effectively agreeing to play 2 seasons at mediocrity rates (5.5M a season)
Not terribly likely.
PaulThomas - December 10, 2008
4/40 then.
mikev - December 10, 2008
54/40 or bust!
monkeyball - December 10, 2008
I'm not sure I want to sign Furcal to a 54 year contract.
But if it’s only for 40 million dollars, and it’s evenly distributed, where do I sign??
mikev - December 10, 2008
Tip: don't do a google image search for "54 bust" at work.
The Dogfather - December 10, 2008
“58 bust,” on the other hand …
monkeyball - December 10, 2008
So, you're saying this is
Furcal’s manifest destiny?
5Aces - December 10, 2008
a logical extension of the Craig Monroe Doctrine
monkeyball - December 10, 2008
I actually like a 2/$25M deal
4 years guaranteed to a 30 year old SS coming of of back surgery is scary. I am all but certain it is going to take 3 or 4 years to snag him, but paying 12.5M annually for 2 years seems sssooooo much more feasible.
son of wes - December 10, 2008
NY Post reports CC has picked the Yankees
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12102008/sports/yankees/yanks_close_in_on_sabathia_deal_143481.htm
WaddellCanseco - December 10, 2008
Well
At least it wasn’t the Angels. I had hoped he’d go to SF so that we could watch him on a consistent basis because he is an extraordinary talent.
Helloooo 1st - December 10, 2008
I would rather CC pick the Angels than Teixeira pick the Angels.
Seriously. With the amount of torque a pitcher’s body has got to generate and carry that weight, an injury seems all that likely.
Blicks - December 10, 2008
sez you
-Mickey Lolich
Josh Deletchi - December 10, 2008
Well if the reports are true
That say that Boston is gettng closer to signing Tex then that means that a). the Angels get neither and b). the Rays probably won’t win the East next year.
Helloooo 1st - December 10, 2008
i got 3 out of 4 right in my bracket, did i win the AN pool?
xbhaskarx - December 10, 2008
i think we'd match almost any 2 year deal
but i highly doubt furcal is getting 4 years from anyone. 3 years would be the max. either way, i suspect we’ll have a good shot at getting him, for one year less than we initially offered. again, this is all speculation, but furcal rejecting our 4 year offer will probably end up being a big mistake. i also doubt the dodgers will resign him – manny’s market is apparently not as good as he thought, so there’s speculation that he might end up taking LA’s 2/45 deal. as for the jays, yes, they might have money to play with if burnett is going elsewhere, but i don’t see them overpaying for furcal. this is all good for us.
guy incognito - December 10, 2008
Is Beane smart or what?
Lets see he makes a early play for Holiday. He watches the angels lose k-rod then CC sign in NY which now pushes the red sox to react by upping their offer to Texeria to 8/120. If the angels lose out on Tex who will they get? Not Manny because you can’t see him playing under their manager. Maybe a Dunn or Burell. No garret anderson or juan riveria and the angels offense looks as bad as our offense.
Arcman - December 10, 2008
The Angels should bring back Garret Anderson.
He’s still open to signing there, and whoever signs him is going to have to overpay anyways.
Blicks - December 10, 2008
Dodgers Are Probably the Real Competition
I think the Sabathia dominoes fall like this—
Teixeira goes to Boston;
Angels must make a play somewhere— they get Manny
Dodgers now embarrassed about losing both Sabathia and Ramirez— they try to reup Furcal
windyfelix - December 10, 2008
And that's when Ned Colletti signs Raul Ibanez!!!!!
Blicks - December 10, 2008
MOAR!!!
nevermoor - December 10, 2008
Dodgers need pitching too
They lose Lowe most likely and Chad breaks his leg so they are down 2 starters plus their closer is hurting and may not be back. I see them getting Manny back and going after a Garland/Sheets. They already put out on Blake so money will be tight if they sign Manny.
Arcman - December 10, 2008
Not really down 2...
Billingsley’s injury is a 6 week thing. Supposed to be throwing in January and ready by the start of Spring Training. Should be fine to go.
OaktownPower - December 10, 2008
O's are now out
Report O’s sign Cesear Izturis. Another team down.
Arcman - December 10, 2008
If the Dodgers get Furcal?
Can’t we trade one of our young starters (not Cahill or Anderson) for Ivan Dejesus? He has no power, and he probably needs half a year in AAA, but he is still a long-term solution at SS because he can handle the position and he gets on base.
drink32 - December 10, 2008
Toronto out?
It looks like there are rumors that the Blue Jays aren’t that interested in Furcal and that Kinzer is exagerating their involvement to juice up the market. Just a blurb from the Toronto Star but it does seem to have some logic behind it. Toronto doesn’t have a lot of money to throw around and while they could use money they were going to give to Burnett it seems like it would make a lot more sense to divert that to getting another pitcher to replace him.
I’m inclined to agree that the Dodgers are the biggest competitor to getting Furcal. I think the A’s have an advantage in that they can move on Furcal now while the Dodgers would probably be unlikely to improve their offer untill the Manny situation is settled.
OkayJay81 - December 10, 2008
i kinda get the feeling that kinzer is
an idiot.
travdog6 - December 10, 2008
Hardly...
If anything he’s showing that he’s fully qualified to be the GM of the Padres…
Helloooo 1st - December 10, 2008
Furcal's agent meeting with Beane
This reported 10 minutes ago on the hot stove. It is apparent we are not out of the Furcal sweepstakes just yet.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3760405&name=winter_meetings_2008
WhoNeedsReligionWhenYaGotBaseball - December 10, 2008
Interesting....
Furcal’s reps had asked for $13 million a year over four years last week, and Oakland had offered a deal for something around $9 million a year.
3 years, 33 million! Everybody wins!
mikev - December 10, 2008
That isn't exactly meeting in the middle.
nevermoor - December 10, 2008
3.5 years!
Nico - December 10, 2008
Mandatory cut in July 2012?
GoA's - December 10, 2008
SIGN RAF FUR NOW!!!
monkeyball - December 11, 2008
4/44 would be meeting in the middle
Both teams at 4 years, middle $$$ at 11M
nevermoor - December 13, 2008
Question - Who is Wes Childs?
“I don’t think Furcal is worth 13 mil a year. But then again Billy Beane is a smart man with his money. If the A’s can build around Holiday, Furcal, Cust, and maybe call up 2nd baseman Wes Childs at some point in the year, they have a shot to take a weak AL West.”
-Quote from comments section of link above provided by WhoNeedsReligionWhenYaGotBaseball .
HRH - December 10, 2008
It's what Adrian Cardenas translates to.
oblique - December 10, 2008
That's not nearly as cool of a translation as Torpedo or Patrol Craft.
mikev - December 10, 2008
more importantly why would you ever call up anybody to 2nd base
when you have a f@$^ing unicorn playing there?
oakinboston - December 10, 2008
I'd prefer Moe Adults
monkeyball - December 10, 2008
Interestingly, that's what Mark Grudzielanek translates to.
oblique - December 10, 2008
I wonder what "Rod Blagojevich" translates to
monkeyball - December 10, 2008
I think "Blagojevich" means "briber" in Ukrainian
PaulThomas - December 10, 2008
Prison Bitch.
alox - December 11, 2008
it’s a comment on espn
xbhaskarx - December 10, 2008
kevin correia
is this plan B is not randy johnson bidding war?
very good in 06/07, then struggled in 08
sort of like a chad gaudin can pitch in both relief/sp
definitely fits into beane’s idea of bring in a reliever/sp type with some mlb experience on a minor league deal
Asfan4ever723 - December 10, 2008
I fear Correia kind of sucks big time
I used to think he had some potential, but currently I’m not so sure. I always liked Jerome Williams, though.
Nico - December 10, 2008
While we're picking up ex-Giants pitchers,
where’s Jesse Foppert these days?
whiteshoes40 - December 10, 2008
Wasn't David Aardsma released a few weeks ago?
PaulThomas - December 11, 2008
Probably
I haven’t gotten that far yet in the alphabet.
Nico - December 11, 2008
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