Hold everything.....

by cubboy89 on Dec 1, 2005 4:20 PM CST

From Rotoworld.com----

ESPN's Jayson Stark said he's not as confident that Rafael Furcal will join the Cubs as he was two days ago.

Talks are continuing, and it's possible no deal will be reached before the end of the weekend, as was previously expected. The Arlington Heights Daily Herald is reporting that the Cubs have offered Furcal $50 million over five years. The Dodgers also appear likely to beat the Braves' four-year offer. Agent Paul Kinzer met with the Braves yesterday and will continue to do so. "I'm based out of Atlanta. I'd love to keep him here," Kinzer said. "Ultimately it's going to be his decision. There has not been a decision made."

Dec. 1 - 5:12 pm et

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Oh No

ugh

by DTJchris on Dec 1, 2005 4:33 PM CST reply actions

Staying in Atlanta?

http://tinyurl.com/be4j5

Chicagosports.com has an article that points to the possibility of Furcal staying in Atlanta. I think he stays there. He likes the city. He respects his manager. Seems like Kinzer (Furcal's agent) is bringing the Cubs and Dodgers into the mix in order to get the Braves to make a four or five year deal.

DmL

by dmlichte on Dec 1, 2005 4:37 PM CST reply actions

I read that earilier

and that literally is the biggest load of garbage I've ever read.

by SoBlueCal on Dec 1, 2005 4:42 PM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't go that far....

....however, it did seem like one of those articles where the reporter is putting words into the mouth of the agent, just to get a story with a certain angle.

by JohnM on Dec 1, 2005 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

Right

My thought when I first read that was maybe the agent is trying to keep the Braves involved to squeeze a bit more out of the Cubs, if that is where Furcal is intending to sign. Just posturing? I'm not panicking. Yet.

by gravedigger on Dec 2, 2005 1:36 AM CST up reply actions

I still won't

believe the Dodgers are "serious" until he puts on the jersey. I live in SoCal and McCourt is all talk and I think he's (pulling a trib.)just doing this to get the fans who are really down about the direction of the Organization, something to give hope about. It's been reported that the Dodgers are only gonna spend $18 Million on FA and if they sign Furcal, at a position they really don't need (they have bigger holes than any team out there) at $10 million a year, they would absolutely screw themselves. I don't see it and think this is all hype and possibly created by Kinzer.

I've still not seen or read anything about Kinzer meeting Colletti tomorrow, other than the White Sox flag station 670. As a matter of fact, I read in a paper out here that Colletti was flying to meet Skinner tomorrow.

by SoBlueCal on Dec 1, 2005 4:40 PM CST reply actions

I hope...

...Hendry isn't married to the 5yr. 50mil being offered to Furcal because it sounds like it's going to cost just a little bit more to bring him here.

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Dec 1, 2005 4:55 PM CST reply actions

I don't see

How the Dodgers would go over the 5 years $50 Million, so I don't think the Cubs will go any higher than that.

It ultimately comes down to where Rafael wants to play. The Dodgers I don't think will go above the Cubs offer but they do have the warm weather and big Latino community. They also have a lot more negatives right now and are very unstable at the moment, but if Rafael wants the warm climate and other the other things that come a long with LA than he will choose the Dodgers. I don't think however he'll choose the Dodgers cuz they offered more money than the Cubs. I just can't see it.

by SoBlueCal on Dec 1, 2005 5:03 PM CST up reply actions

Again...

... the Dodgers don't have what the Cubs do, which is two close friends of Furcal's to give him a comfort zone as teammates.

The Dodgers, as has been pointed out, are in chaos. McCourt likes making media splashes, but in the end, I think that's all this is going to be.

And the fact that Furcal's agent is based in Atlanta? Do you really think that is going to affect his decision? Like he couldn't pick up his cellphone and talk to his agent any time he wants to.

People, people, people. R E L A X !!

Too much hyperventilating going on here.

by Al Yellon on Dec 1, 2005 5:26 PM CST up reply actions

The Dodgers

don't have what the Cubs have: A manager.

Dusty Baker! Better for nothing!

I never travel far without a little Big Star

by Josh Timmers on Dec 1, 2005 5:40 PM CST up reply actions

LOL!

Not having Dusty is a plus in the Dodgers favor.

It's funny. I thought good news was coming soon that would force Jim Hendry to be given credit?

Perhaps not wanting to hear anymore garbage about "good news coming" until it comes is the correct attitude.

After all, that would be what a patient person would do -- wait for the outcome.

by Ivychat on Dec 1, 2005 8:14 PM CST up reply actions

And...

... a polite person would answer his e-mail, that was sent yesterday.

by Al Yellon on Dec 1, 2005 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

If the Cubs...

...can't land Furcal, do they join in on the(heaven forbid) Julio Lugo sweepstakes?

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Dec 1, 2005 4:58 PM CST reply actions

Why not Damon?

If they lose out on Furcal, why not throw what they had ready to throw at Furcal Damon's direction? I feel the same as most of you, i'm sure. I don't really want Damon for 5 years, but it's not my money. In 2 or 3 years, the money he'd be making won't seem nearly as high either so why not?

The idea of Pierre in CF is only enticing to me if he can leadoff and Furcal can hit number 2. Otherwise I'm just not excited about Pierre.

by Maddog on Dec 1, 2005 5:45 PM CST up reply actions

NO!

Sorry for yelling, but if they lose out on Furcal, and they just might, then Nomar or Cedeno are better options. Damon flat out is too old for the kind of deal he wants.

Crazy idea. The Angels have a logjam at any position Chone Figgins can play. Had they signed Konerko, Erstad moves to CF, leaving Finley AND Figgins without a home. They get Manny Ramirez, Garret Anderson moves to CF. They hope Dallas McPherson returns, and if not, there's rumors the Angels are thinking of re-acquiring Troy Glaus, leaving Figgins out of the 3B picture. Orlando Cabrera is entrenched at SS as well as Adam Kennedy at 2B, the other positions Figgins plays. The Cubs should at least inquire about Figgins. Juan Pierre is his best friend, and Figgins plays OF better than Pierre does.

by BeerCub on Dec 1, 2005 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

We Need Furcal

I echo most everyone else in that I don't see LA a true player in the Furcal sweepstakes, but the comfort level he has in Atlanta is beginning to scare me. I mean, the Braves IS the only organization he knows, he's been there a while, etc.
What's even more discouraging is that if we DON'T get Furcal, who's our SS in '06? Cedeno? We've kind of burned the Nomar bridge with Hendry telling Nomar and his agent to "feel free to look elsewhere for employment". What's more, we need a "big fish" and they are starting to swim away unless Hendry can pull off a big swap for a quality outfielder of some sort, a decent lead-off guy, and some speed.

by cubboy89 on Dec 1, 2005 9:59 PM CST up reply actions

We call the Devil Rays

and ask about Julio Lugo. Apparently Lugo is Plan B for both the Cubs and the Braves, the St. Petersburg Times wrote about a week ago. But Lugo doesn't fill two holes like Furcal does, although he would be a lot cheaper.

Nomar is a possibility, although few think he can still play SS adequately anymore.

Honestly, I think we're in real trouble if Furcal signs with the Braves. It would be worse if he signed with the Dodgers, because then Atlanta would be bidding against us for any SS on the market.

I never travel far without a little Big Star

by Josh Timmers on Dec 1, 2005 10:24 PM CST up reply actions

Lugo...

does fill two holes. He can leadoff and play SS.

sPaRkLe Hendry sPaRkLe!

by sparkles721 on Dec 1, 2005 10:39 PM CST up reply actions

Anderson is not going back to CF

It's going to be either Figgins or Erstad in center next year (Finley will be traded or more likely just DFA'ed). If they swing a Manny deal, him and Garrett split DH/LF duties, Figgins in CF, Erstad stays at 1b (unless he's traded), Kennedy at 2b, McPherson at 3b, Cabrera at SS and the Vlad in RF. If they don't swing a Manny deal, a Glaus trade would be for him to be an exclusive DH. The Angels are rather fond of Figgins and his versatility is so useful that even if he doesn't have a guaranteed starting gig coming out of spring training, injuries and poor performance will get him into the lineup.

by RobG @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Dec 1, 2005 7:58 PM CST reply actions