MLB - Sports Rumors

Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:03 pm EST

Oakland ups offer to Rafael Furcal

By Joe Zedalis

Rafael Furcal

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The Oakland A's have improved their initial four-year offer to shortstop Rafael Furcal, according to major-league sources and Foxsports.com.

Furcal, 31, does not appear to have another four-year proposal, though negotiations are fluid and subject to change.Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, said last week that the A's, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Royals were the four finalists for his client. Other teams, however, could be in the mix.

The Dodgers will not offer Furcal four years and maybe not even three, sources say. The Jays are unable to compete economically. The Royals might need to trade outfielder Jose Guillen to clear payroll.

Guillen, 32, is owed $24 million over the next two seasons, but Royals officials say that moving him would be counter-productive because the team needs his power.

The A's initial four-year offer to Furcal was believed to be for between $35 million and $40 million. The Dodgers and other clubs have been reluctant to offer him four years due to his injury history.

If Furcal signs with the A's, the Dodgers could turn to free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera or re-sign free agent Angel Berroa, a lesser player. They also could revive trade talks for the Pirates' Jack Wilson.

Source: Foxsports.comNew Window

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36 Comments

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  1. ben p
    1. Posted by ben p Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    first!!!! furcall needs to go back to the braves.
  2. jj
    2. Posted by jj Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    Is he worth it? Wasn't he injured a lot last year? How many errors did he have in the WS?
  3. ME
    3. Posted by ME Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Less likely to be injured than Bobby
  4. vick is
    4. Posted by vick is Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    Furcal doesn't need to go back to the Braves. Any team that gives him a big $$ dezal beware-- he'll swing for the fence every time, k in big situations where a "true" lead off hitter would but or hit away. Yes he's a good SS but he's a liability at the plate. He played 31 games last year and you want to sign him for 4yrs/ 40mil I'll take a AAA or lesser free agent SS and take my chances he can do the same - with less stupid mistakes atthe plate.
  5. vick is
    5. Posted by vick is Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    Furcal doesn't need to go back to the Braves. Any team that gives him a big $$ dezal beware-- he'll swing for the fence every time, k in big situations where a "true" lead off hitter would but or hit away. Yes he's a good SS but he's a liability at the plate. He played 31 games last year and you want to sign him for 4yrs/ 40mil I'll take a AAA or lesser free agent SS and take my chances he can do the same - with less stupid mistakes atthe plate.
  6. mondo
    6. Posted by mondo Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    If the Dodgers let him go to the A's ( which he should do, for four years & 40 MIL.) The Dodgers will have to make a deal With Manny. Damn ! I think Manny would fit in Left at Phone park.
  7. Jason
    7. Posted by Jason Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    Dont mess w/players back injuries. The guy has a great arm..but it gets wild. I think Cabrera would be a much safer bet (and cheaper ) for LA, and the fans here in SoCal already love him from his time on the Angels.
  8. JS
    8. Posted by JS Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    jj and Vick...I agree.....Furcal isn't worth it because of injuries and k in big situations. Dodgers should pass.
  9. Desirae G
    9. Posted by Desirae G Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    Who cares? the n.l. west is the home of mediocre .500 teams anyway
  10. TADD
    10. Posted by TADD Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:39 pm EDT

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    YES!!!! The As can use his (Furcal) talents... specially at the lead off spot. Injuries are part of the game. Ask Crosby.
  11. Older_than_Moses_Shaq
    11. Posted by Older_than_Moses_Shaq Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    Furcal is worth it only if healthy. Four year contract? It's definately not worth the risk for any team.
  12. Dynomight?
    12. Posted by Dynomight? Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    remembering furcal booting those balls in the NLCS is one of my fondest memories....thanks raf...we couldn't have done it without you....you suck LA...hows that free agent search coming....or should i say exodus...
  13. davfied
    13. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

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    Why don`t the Yankees sign him? Jeter is over the hill.
  14. Chris M (2009 NBA CHAMPION LAKERS!)
    14. Posted by Chris M (2009 NBA CHAMPION LAKERS!) Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:05 pm EDT

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    This guy is so freakin' overrated.
  15. JASON G
    15. Posted by JASON G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    As much as I would like to have Furcal back, I think the dodgers are being very smart about this. No way hes worth forty million coming off that year. Hes a great player, had a rough game in the NLCS, but hes a special type of player that dont come around often. Billy Beane is a good GM, but hes taking a major risk here, when you really dont know what your gonna get fron raffy health wise. Dodgers will sign cabrera, Manny, and Randy Johnson, and call it good. I like our chances if that happens.
  16. jeffutlaw
    16. Posted by jeffutlaw Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

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    Yes, the Dodgers certainly corner the market on smart contract moves.
  17. Daniel V
    17. Posted by Daniel V Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:52 pm EDT

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    The A's would need to have a deal in place to send Crosby somewhere, maybe to the Pirates and have Jack Wilson as the utility IF and insurance in case Furcal's injuries flare up. I still see the Dodgers bringing him back. They need and want a legit leadoff hitter. Berroa is another utility IF and Cabrera could be a very nice consilation price for either the A's or Dodgers, depending where Furcal signs. Cabrera's never had injury issues, decent speed, plays a nice defensive SS, and would be a nice lower of the order type of hitter to give any lineup balance.
  18. davfied
    18. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

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    I need a sugar daddy. I live on the streets and sell myself for food. The sex is great but if I had a rich guy I`d do him whenever and wouldn`t get beaten up so much. I could get off all the government programs. I do love the cheese. So you all wouldn`t have to support me.
  19. davfied
    19. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

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    Thank you very much!!!!!!!
  20. mike_sos
    20. Posted by mike_sos Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

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    The A's problem the last couple of year is injury. They just can't keep players off of the DL. Now they are shelling money to a guy with a lingering injury. It's just a matter of time. Plus, A's is still rebuilding, the trading of Holiday and signing of Furcal is just so counterproductive. It might bring is more people, but having a team that'll compete will bring in more people.
  21. Daniel V
    21. Posted by Daniel V Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:52 pm EDT

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    ESPN says the offer is 4 years, $40 million. I guess the A's are very high on him. If he can stay healthy, it's good, but seems like too much for him in both years and $$.
  22. Vaffanculo
    22. Posted by Vaffanculo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    C'mon, what do I have to do to put Jack Wilson in your line-up, today? We'll even throw in David Littlefield's left testicle?
  23. ME
    23. Posted by ME Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Risky as It may be I really don't second guess Billy Beane..his "gambles" usually pay off...usually(nothing is perfect).....It's also nice to see the A's actually going after free agents and notable players instead of vets looking for a career revival to fill in the blanks between the young talkent we stockpile...they are building a nice team for next year....If it is anything like last year ..we've got the pitching
  24. Nick
    24. Posted by Nick Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:55 pm EDT

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    They have a special part of this contract left out. Furcal will get all you can eat burritos from Baja fresh.
  25. Freddy
    25. Posted by Freddy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    Way too much money for Furcal! He should be giving Dodgers a discount, incentive laden contract should be O.K. He has no pride! How much money does he really need in the Dominican Republic?

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