Trib Suggests that Furcal Will Be Offseason Target

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Let the speculation begin!

 

It appears the Cubs will make a run at Furcal to answer the lead-off question in 06.

 

From the the Trib:

 

The Cubs are expected to pursue Rafael Furcal, Atlanta's free-agent shortstop, who is 27 years old and will command a three- or four-year deal for around $8 million per season. Despite a slow start in '05, Furcal has a .339 on-base percentage leading off, with 38 steals. He's also fifth in the NL in fielding percentage and has great range at shortstop. Furcal's agent is Paul Kinzer, who has a good relationship with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry.

[UK1679666180]

The battle of who'll overpay the most should be interesting. Maybe the loser can't take a consolation prize of overspending on Damon?

[rawaction]

If he accepts a 3-year deal at $8M per, he's almost a steal. I still think a 27-year old SS, leadoff hitter for a perennial playoff team, who has the best range and arm in baseball is gonna get more than 3-4 years and $8M. 30 year old, 7th hitters (although mistakenly hitting 2nd) coming off of down years got as much or more than that.

[UK1679666180]

He'll get a contract closer to Renteria's than Cabrera's.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

With Nomar on the market, he's more likely to be the overpaid one of the two.

 

What teams are going to be looking for a new SS?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Anyone think Furcal's DWI problems will drive his market down?

[UK1679666180]

Anyone think Furcal's DWI problems will drive his market down?

 

Not when it becomes a bidding war.

[CubfaninCA]

Seems like he'll get at least 4 years.

[TXCubsFan]

Why not go for Damon, where we have few replacements in our minor league system, and let Ronny try to establish himself at SS? SS is a position where demand outstrips supply, so why not lean on a home-grown option there?

[sandberg23]

Why not go for Damon, where we have few replacements in our minor league system, and let Ronny try to establish himself at SS? SS is a position where demand outstrips supply, so why not lean on a home-grown option there?

 

Because Baker's at the helm. Many people on the board feel Cedeno should get a shot at SS next year.

[Brian]

i definately love Furcal's arm. yesterday I was wathcing the game he ranged to his left, checked 2nd, double clutched and still got the guy out at first.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Why not go for Damon, where we have few replacements in our minor league system, and let Ronny try to establish himself at SS? SS is a position where demand outstrips supply, so why not lean on a home-grown option there?

 

Damon won't be worth the contract he'll command. You might as well bring back Lawton.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Furcal is a legit leadoff hitter, which we need very badly. I'm not sure that is worth the difference in Cedeno and Furcal's salaries though.

 

What do we do with Cedeno if Furcal comes our way? Let him rot on the bench or have another career year in AAA?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Seems like he'll get at least 4 years.

 

4 years for a 27 year old is not that big a deal. It's not the same as offering 4 years to a 32 year old.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Why not go for Damon, where we have few replacements in our minor league system, and let Ronny try to establish himself at SS? SS is a position where demand outstrips supply, so why not lean on a home-grown option there?

 

The reason I'd choose Furcal over Damon is based on the age of Damon vs the age of Furcal.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Furcal is a legit leadoff hitter, which we need very badly. I'm not sure that is worth the difference in Cedeno and Furcal's salaries though.

 

What do we do with Cedeno if Furcal comes our way? Let him rot on the bench or have another career year in AAA?

 

My guess is Cedeno would be moved to second, become a utility player, or traded.

[Larry Horse]

Why not go for Damon, where we have few replacements in our minor league system, and let Ronny try to establish himself at SS? SS is a position where demand outstrips supply, so why not lean on a home-grown option there?

 

The reason I'd choose Furcal over Damon is based on the age of Damon vs the age of Furcal.

 

Agreed...... 3 years at 8 per?, I'd do that in a heartbeat instead of a one-year incentive- based contract to Chinadollciaparra.

[bannor10]

Over pay him and istall him as the leadoff hitter,,,,Give him 10 mil a year...Heck we are paying 15 mil for Balt's Right fielder....

 

1st priority- Furcal

2nd priority- Left hand batting outfielder with power---Giles or Klesco

3rd...A starter...( I love Kerry but we can't count on his arm Starting) Burnett is the Top target but It will be hard to get him,,,I look for a trade for someone like Kip Wells

 

 

Resign Jerry Jr to play second and let Cedano beat him out.

Start Murton,Pie,or Sing in the other OF spot...

 

world series in 2006

[CubfaninCA]

Seems like he'll get at least 4 years.

 

4 years for a 27 year old is not that big a deal. It's not the same as offering 4 years to a 32 year old.

 

4 & 32 works for me. That what Renteria got right..

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Seems like he'll get at least 4 years.

 

4 years for a 27 year old is not that big a deal. It's not the same as offering 4 years to a 32 year old.

 

4 & 32 works for me. That what Renteria got right..

 

Renteria got 4/40, Cabrera got 4/32.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Seems like he'll get at least 4 years.

 

4 years for a 27 year old is not that big a deal. It's not the same as offering 4 years to a 32 year old.

 

4 & 32 works for me. That what Renteria got right..

 

Renteria got 4/40, Cabrera got 4/32.

 

Let's just do 4/36 and call it a deal!

[imb]

No way does Furcal get the same deal Cabrera got. Bidding starts at 4/40.

[rawaction]

No way does Furcal get the same deal Cabrera got. Bidding starts at 4/40.

 

That's what I've been saying. I'm thinking 5/6 years, 10/11M per.

 

But there's still the thing that both LA and NY teams have a SS (or 2 in case of the NY teams). The larger markets appear to be set at SS besides the Cubs. Still, I think Seattle, Washington and others will be players in the FA market this offseason.

[CuseCubFan69]

No way does Furcal get the same deal Cabrera got. Bidding starts at 4/40.

 

That's what I've been saying. I'm thinking 5/6 years, 10/11M per.

 

But there's still the thing that both LA and NY teams have a SS (or 2 in case of the NY teams). The larger markets appear to be set at SS besides the Cubs. Still, I think Seattle, Washington and others will be players in the FA market this offseason.

 

I agree...with the lack of SS's available he will be a very expensive signing.

 

What SS's could the Cubs get via trade?

[HoopsCubs]

Let the speculation begin!

 

It appears the Cubs will make a run at Furcal to answer the lead-off question in 06.

 

From the the Trib:

 

The Cubs are expected to pursue Rafael Furcal, Atlanta's free-agent shortstop, who is 27 years old and will command a three- or four-year deal for around $8 million per season. Despite a slow start in '05, Furcal has a .339 on-base percentage leading off, with 38 steals. He's also fifth in the NL in fielding percentage and has great range at shortstop. Furcal's agent is Paul Kinzer, who has a good relationship with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry.

 

Of course Paul Kinzer has a good relationship with Hendry! Kinzer is the agent for Aramis Ramirez - yes, the same ARam who was recently signed by Hendry for 4 years and $42M. :)

 

Seriously, if you're a Furcal fan, this is very encouraging news.

 

By the way, it was reported earlier in the week by Bruce Levine that Aramis is good friends with Furcal, and in unofficial, non-tampering way, he was busy chatting up the Cubs, Wrigley, the fans, the city, the bars, etc...

 

Hoops