Furcal a Blessing in Disguise?

by KChiCubs on Dec 10, 2005 10:07 AM CST

We lost out on Rafael Furcal one week ago today. We had pinned all of our hopes on that Wonderful SS and Leadoff man. He was our "difference maker" that was going to put us in the World Series.

But now, Furcal signed with the Dodgers when it seemed like he was all but ours. In fact, there have been reports that he was about to call Chicago and tell them he would be their short-stop, but his agent had him on a plane to LA rather than the Windy City.

We lost out on Rafael Furcal one week ago today. We had pinned all of our hopes on that Wonderful SS and Leadoff man. He was our "difference maker" that was going to put us in the World Series.

But, Furcal signed with the Dodgers when it seemed like he was all but ours. In fact, there have been reports that he was about to call Chicago and tell them he would be their short-stop, but his agent had him on a plane to LA rather than the Windy City.

But now, one week later, there is hope. A far better SS is asking for a trade.

Miguel Tejada stated that he is unhappy with the Lacluster performance of the Baltimore Orioles. He is a .300 hitter who drives in runs and plays above-average Defence. I'd be willing to bet that Jim Hendry is ready to trade half the Farm System to get Tejada.

Tejada WOULD be the difference maker the Cubs need. They have a Leadoff man now and need someone to join the two-man offence of Lee and Ramirez. A "Third Muskateer" would make the Chicago Cubs a Legitimate contender for the Division and maybe even the WS. The Chicgo Cubs lineup would stike fear in the eyes of other teams rivaling those of Boston and New York. Imagine a lineup with Pierre, Walker, Lee, Tejada, and Ramirez; it would be one of the best in the NL.

But, there are many things that I have not taken into account.

The O's may not be willing to trade Tejada
Who says we have anything to offer them for Him?
If we do, who would they want in return? Pie, Cedeno, Jwill?
How is this trade made without giving up half of the Farm System?
The Red Sox have offered Manny for Him.

Who knows what can happen? It is very doubtful Miggy will dawn Cubbie Blue next season, but it is worth the Thought.

Poll

Will Tejada be in Cubbie Blue next season?

Yes

22 votes

No

36 votes

Hell No!

21 votes

79 votes | Poll has closed

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.

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Comments

I've heard enough about Furcal...

I just want to move on to signing a bunch of new strong players and then spend part of '06 hoping Raffy fails and the Dodgers stink.

C'mon now...anyone can have a bad century...

by Kinky Reggae on Dec 10, 2005 10:36 AM CST reply actions

You forgot one choice on your poll....

... "Maybe".

I'd love to vote "yes", but I'm not sure I can allow myself to be that optimistic.

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2005 11:54 AM CST reply actions

The Orioles...

...would be asking for more than what we have in our farm system. There are 5 guys on the 40 man roster that I would in no way trade(Ram,Lee,
Murton,Prior and Z). The O's need a firstbaseman and pitching so you know they would ask for either Lee,Prior or Z.

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Dec 10, 2005 12:48 PM CST reply actions

Tejada and more

You're absolutely right. Hendry must excercise his normal patience, which I know he will. If this turns out to be a genuine trade demand, the O's will be in the pressure situation. Remind anyone of where we were at last season with Sammy? If Hendry jumps now the price will be high.

Suffice to say, the tower will have to agree to increase the cumulative payroll to a little over $100M next season and incrementally increase it the subsequent years through '09. Prior, Lee, Z, Pierre will all figure into payroll increases on a position basis starting already next season.

And all of this doesn't take into account the starting rotation. Honestly, how many of us are [health-wise] comfortable going into 2006 with a rotation of Woody, Prior, Z, Rusch and Maddog?

da-da-daddio

by blackhawk24 on Dec 10, 2005 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

O's would be kidding themselves....

...if they asked for Z, Prior or Lee as these guys obviously have a great deal of value and make far less than Tejada. Lee will probably make more than $12 mil AFTER this season.

by cubboy89 on Dec 10, 2005 1:56 PM CST reply actions

having missedmthe boat once on tejada...

i believe there would be very little hendry would say no to, presuming of course the orioles would seriously consider saying farewell to tejada.
furcal would never, on his own, have been the difference that would leap the cubs into the playoffs/division championship. tejada is precisely that sort of player, at a position the cubs would love to fill for about 5 years. the only more desirable shortstop (beyond tejada) plays 3b for the yankees.
the "playoff window" with an inexpensive prior and z will close quickly. i could frankly care less if felix pie comes back to bite the cubs fanny in 2008; i want this club to bring home all the marbles in 2006.
my 2 cents is to tell hendry "be the first to make a proposal, don't be shy about 'overspending', and don't let any other club get the last look on any tejada deal".

by dc60123 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Dec 10, 2005 2:18 PM CST reply actions

If the Cubs could get Zito

Then I wouldn't mind seeing the Cubs trade Prior for Tejeda.

by teacher tom on Dec 10, 2005 2:50 PM CST reply actions

Say what?

There is no way Prior or Z can be dealt!! Bruce Levine on ESPN radio was reporting that Hendry has initiated talks with the orioles to see what they want for Tejada. Bruce said that the Cubs will not offer Prior or Zambrano and thinks a deal is possible w/o giving up Pie. I don't believe the Cubs will get Tejada but what a fearsome 3 he would form with Lee and Ramirez!! If there is a way to get that deal done w/o giving up Prior, Zambrano, Ramirez, or Lee, it has to get done!

by PistolPete on Dec 10, 2005 3:00 PM CST reply actions

Well...

I think that Hill, Cedeno, Jwill, (walker maybe), would get iit done!
If we have Tejada, why not give up Ronny? Hill is overrated, and has no third pitch.

by KChiCubs on Dec 10, 2005 3:56 PM CST reply actions

We can always...

stick Rondell White at shortshop.

Ha, ha, sorry guys I couldn't resist this one. I'm sure you were expecting it from me.

But seriously, I just don't see Tejada being traded to the Cubs or Cubs managment being willing to take on his salary. So perpetuating on it, hoping it will happen doesn't seem reasonable while the free agent pitchers are disappearing.

by nickler on Dec 10, 2005 4:08 PM CST reply actions

And you know this how?

I've heard this from sources who have actual information, rather than your idle speculation.

Why wouldn't they take on his salary? They were willing to pay Rafael Furcal, a lesser player than Tejada, MORE money.

This actually has a fair chance of happening. Stay tuned.

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2005 4:23 PM CST up reply actions

because

the Nickler is omnipotent, you and your silly mortal sources, Al.

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Dec 10, 2005 4:56 PM CST up reply actions

Tejada I think...

...has four years remaining on his contract and with each year he makes prgressively more money. By the end of his deal he'll be making 14 or 15mil. I would love to see it but I don't see the Cubs taking on that contract.

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Dec 10, 2005 5:05 PM CST up reply actions

According to...

... Hardball Dollars, it's $12 million in 2006 and 2007, $13 million in 2008 and 2009, and a couple of $2 million option/buyout years.

That's $54 million -- not that much more than was on the table for Furcal. Why would you say the Cubs won't take it? Tejada is a far better player than Furcal.

by Al Yellon on Dec 10, 2005 5:10 PM CST up reply actions

Man

If we had Sammy making 16mil we can sure as hell pay Tejeda 12-13mil.

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Dec 10, 2005 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Yup...

Like Chuck and a few others have said, not getting Tejada because of his salary would be being cheap.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Dec 10, 2005 7:29 PM CST up reply actions

Well...

I just figure if the cubs wouldn't increase the offer amount to Furcal(which was reported as a small amount)then why would they shell out 54mil and at the very least the organizations top three prospects. I know Tejada is a far better player but the trade would come at a much higher price than if they had signed Furcal.

cubsfan4life

by cubfan4life on Dec 10, 2005 8:21 PM CST up reply actions