Furcal

[NorthsideAvenger]

Rafael Furcal has purportedly let it be known he would be willing to play second base for the Mets.

Furcal will be a free agent after the postseason. The Mets want to upgrade the position , even if that means buying off Kaz Matsui's remaining contract.

Source: New York Daily News

 

It may been talked about already, but nonetheless...I becoming less and less optimistic about the Cubs chances at landing Furcal.

[Jazz]

This is news to my ears

I really didnt want the cubs to shell out the 8-12 mil it will take to get furcal, and for 4 years he will likely command, if anythign i hope this news makes Hendry rethink not resigning Nomar, and Walker. I would rather us just go with these 2 for our MIF, and have Cedeno back them both up

[AAApittsburgh]

Only the Mets would be dumb enough to give him SS-type money to play 2B.

[RockTheIvy]

I think Furcal loses some of his value though when he is moved to 2B. I'm sure his defense would be fine, but there are some much better hitters at 2B than at short, so I doubt he would command 8-12 if he was gonna play 2B. But he is not a better hitter than Kent, Utley, Giles, Walker, maybe not even Grudz. He would still be a good player, sure, but would just be severly overpaid. But I agree, it's good news, at least to me.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I would hate to play 1B for the Mets if he does end up at 2nd. Jeez, the guys arm is so strong it would be wasted at 2B.

[nilodnayr]

What, is steve phillips running the mets again? This is insanely stupid, but I wonder if theres ever been a team with their 1, 2, 3 hitters each with 40 stolen bases?

[somechick]

ya know, if I was the Braves, I would be just a wee bit peeved that he is already planning his escape, to a division rival, no less, while the team paying his current paycheck is in the middle of the playoffs......good to know where his priorities lie....

[Outshined_One]

ya know, if I was the Braves, I would be just a wee bit peeved that he is already planning his escape, to a division rival, no less, while the team paying his current paycheck is in the middle of the playoffs......good to know where his priorities lie....

 

I'm curious as to what the source is.

 

If it's any newspaper in the NY area, I'm not going to buy it as legit for even a nanosecond.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Julio Lugo, 2003-2005:

 

Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

2003 117 433 58 119 13 4 15 53 35 88 10 3 .275 .333 .427 .760

2004 157 581 83 160 41 4 7 75 54 106 21 5 .275 .338 .396 .734

2005 158 616 89 182 36 6 6 57 61 72 39 11 .295 .362 .403 .765

 

Rafael Furcal, 2003-2005:

 

Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

2003 156 664 130 194 35 10 15 61 60 76 25 2 .292 .352 .443 .794

2004 143 563 103 157 24 5 14 59 58 71 29 6 .279 .345 .414 .758

2005 154 616 100 175 31 11 12 58 62 78 46 10 .284 .348 .429 .777

 

You look at these numbers, I'd have to say Lugo would be just as good as Furcal--and significantly cheaper. With BJ Upton on the way in Tampa, and Lugo's salary rising, maybe Hendry should make a push for a Lugo deal. His only real negative--besides a history as a wife-beater--is that Lugo will turn 30 yo next month, while Furcal is just 28. Still, I think this could be a sage move, with the caveat that our leadoff man come from CF (I'm looking at you, Milton Bradley, Juan Pierre and Kenny Lofton).

[CuseCubFan69]

I say resign Perez and get Furcal and move him to second!

 

This is why I think Hendry is going to go the trade route....I hope because if he resigns Perez with Baker still around it's going to be another long season.

 

This could just be a negotiation tool used by Furcal too. He can't bring in the major market teams because they all already have SS's so he says this.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

i really don't want to see Furcal as a Cub. his obp is cheaply replaceable. Todd Walker anyone? ...as far as Walker not stealing goes, I'd rather not have my leadoff hitter gifting the other team an out (and therefore a run).

 

Furcal's D is easily replaceable as well...by Cedeno.

 

I can't fathom a reason we need Furcal. If we get him it will be b/c he is a "big name FA" and not b/c it will actually help the team.

[HoopsCubs]

Rafael Furcal has purportedly let it be known he would be willing to play second base for the Mets.

Furcal will be a free agent after the postseason. The Mets want to upgrade the position , even if that means buying off Kaz Matsui's remaining contract.

Source: New York Daily News

 

It may been talked about already, but nonetheless...I becoming less and less optimistic about the Cubs chances at landing Furcal.

 

My angle on this whole thing is I hope the Braves just re-sign Furcal, and trade Marcus Giles (to us).

[BigbadB]

How confident is Atlanta that Betemit can handle SS? With Marte just about ready, and a whole bunch of outfielders already ready, I would think that Furcal would be on their list of guys to resign. He's young, he leads off, he has speed, he plays a tough position to find a replacement.

 

Easier guys for them to replace would be Andruw and Chipper.

[CubfaninCA]

i really don't want to see Furcal as a Cub. his obp is cheaply replaceable. Todd Walker anyone? ...as far as Walker not stealing goes, I'd rather not have my leadoff hitter gifting the other team an out (and therefore a run).

 

Furcal's D is easily replaceable as well...by Cedeno.

 

I can't fathom a reason we need Furcal. If we get him it will be b/c he is a "big name FA" and not b/c it will actually help the team.

 

Furcal's speed will create more runs than Walker. Furcal's more likely to score from first on a double, and to score from second on a hard hit single or shallowly hit flyball to the outfield.

 

That's just a few examples of how Furcal's speed puts more pressure on the defense.

[goonys evil twin]

i really don't want to see Furcal as a Cub. his obp is cheaply replaceable. Todd Walker anyone? ...as far as Walker not stealing goes, I'd rather not have my leadoff hitter gifting the other team an out (and therefore a run).

 

Furcal's D is easily replaceable as well...by Cedeno.

 

I can't fathom a reason we need Furcal. If we get him it will be b/c he is a "big name FA" and not b/c it will actually help the team.

 

Furcal's speed will create more runs than Walker. Furcal's more likely to score from first on a double, and to score from second on a hard hit single or shallowly hit flyball to the outfield.

 

That's just a few examples of how Furcal's speed puts more pressure on the defense.

 

They are examples, sure, but they don't really tell you anything. I could give you examples of situations where you need a double or a homerun, which would make Walker more valuable. Citing specific situations where a player's strengths would be useful doesn't do a whole lot to justify going after the player. What matters is overall production.

[CuseCubFan69]

i really don't want to see Furcal as a Cub. his obp is cheaply replaceable. Todd Walker anyone? ...as far as Walker not stealing goes, I'd rather not have my leadoff hitter gifting the other team an out (and therefore a run).

 

Furcal's D is easily replaceable as well...by Cedeno.

 

I can't fathom a reason we need Furcal. If we get him it will be b/c he is a "big name FA" and not b/c it will actually help the team.

 

Furcal's speed will create more runs than Walker. Furcal's more likely to score from first on a double, and to score from second on a hard hit single or shallowly hit flyball to the outfield.

 

That's just a few examples of how Furcal's speed puts more pressure on the defense.

 

I think what matters is how Hendry builds this team. I just hope he has a plan and doesn't piecemeal it together.

[BigbadB]

Furcal got credit for a hit last night, but he ended up sitting in the dugout because of his speed. Walker would have settled for a double there. And he had a very good chance to score with none out. Furcal was the 1st out of the inning and left the next hitter with no one on base.

 

Just one isolated incident. But, Furcal also gets gunned down attempting to steal. 10 times this year alone. Walker got caught stealing once.

 

Furcal probably will score more often than Walker because of speed. However, Walker costs 2.5m and Furcal will cost at least 8m.

[CubfaninCA]

i really don't want to see Furcal as a Cub. his obp is cheaply replaceable. Todd Walker anyone? ...as far as Walker not stealing goes, I'd rather not have my leadoff hitter gifting the other team an out (and therefore a run).

 

Furcal's D is easily replaceable as well...by Cedeno.

 

I can't fathom a reason we need Furcal. If we get him it will be b/c he is a "big name FA" and not b/c it will actually help the team.

 

Furcal's speed will create more runs than Walker. Furcal's more likely to score from first on a double, and to score from second on a hard hit single or shallowly hit flyball to the outfield.

 

That's just a few examples of how Furcal's speed puts more pressure on the defense.

 

They are examples, sure, but they don't really tell you anything. I could give you examples of situations where you need a double or a homerun, which would make Walker more valuable. Citing specific situations where a player's strengths would be useful doesn't do a whole lot to justify going after the player. What matters is overall production.

 

Well, there's not much of a gap between Furcal and Walker's slugging % over the past few years, and hasn't Walker played in better hitters parks?? There is a big gap in speed though, and it should help the 2, 3, 4 hitters when Furcal's on base. Sure it won't bother someone like Clemens, but there are some pitchers who will get a rattled w/ Furcal on 1st and Lee up to bat.

[BigbadB]

Furcal got credit for a hit last night, but he ended up sitting in the dugout because of his speed. Walker would have settled for a double there. And he had a very good chance to score with none out. Furcal was the 1st out of the inning and left the next hitter with no one on base.

 

Just one isolated incident. But, Furcal also gets gunned down attempting to steal. 10 times this year alone. Walker got caught stealing once.

 

Furcal probably will score more often than Walker because of speed. However, Walker costs 2.5m and Furcal will cost at least 8m.

 

Edited to state that Furcal got on because of an error by Qualls. Furcal tried to take 3rd using his speed and was gunned down.

[CubfaninCA]

Furcal got credit for a hit last night, but he ended up sitting in the dugout because of his speed. Walker would have settled for a double there. And he had a very good chance to score with none out. Furcal was the 1st out of the inning and left the next hitter with no one on base.

 

Just one isolated incident. But, Furcal also gets gunned down attempting to steal. 10 times this year alone. Walker got caught stealing once.

 

Furcal probably will score more often than Walker because of speed. However, Walker costs 2.5m and Furcal will cost at least 8m.

 

No doubt Walker's a bargain for 2.5, but I'm not arguing for Furcal replacing him @ 2b. I will argue though that Furcal's worth twice as much as Nomar. He's 5 years younger, his ops isn't too far behind Nomar's, his fielding's better, he's a lot faster and he's a lot more durable and reliable.

[JeffH]

But, Furcal also gets gunned down attempting to steal. 10 times this year alone. Walker got caught stealing once.

 

Furcal stole 46 bases at an 82% success rate. He's an elite base stealer.

[BigbadB]

But, Furcal also gets gunned down attempting to steal. 10 times this year alone. Walker got caught stealing once.

 

Furcal stole 46 bases at an 82% success rate. He's an elite base stealer.

 

Two guys with identical OBP's. One guy steals more than the other, but he also gets thrown out attempting to steal. The guy who doesn't run as much REALLY has the better overall OBP and has more opportunities to score.

 

I do see the argument that the other guy gets in scoring position more often. But, the cost factor comes into play once again. Walker makes 2.5m and Furcal will make somewhere around 8m+.

 

We can't really compare them. Walker never led off this year and he didn't play a full season.

 

Scoring runs also is very dependent on who his hitting behind you and how often you get on base. Furcal's .348 OBP was good for 100 runs scored this year. But Pujols led the league in runs scored with his .430 OBP.

[CubfaninCA]

But, Furcal also gets gunned down attempting to steal. 10 times this year alone. Walker got caught stealing once.

 

Furcal stole 46 bases at an 82% success rate. He's an elite base stealer.

 

Two guys with identical OBP's. One guy steals more than the other, but he also gets thrown out attempting to steal. The guy who doesn't run as much REALLY has the better overall OBP and has more opportunities to score.

 

I do see the argument that the other guy gets in scoring position more often. But, the cost factor comes into play once again. Walker makes 2.5m and Furcal will make somewhere around 8m+.

 

We can't really compare them. Walker never led off this year and he didn't play a full season.

 

Scoring runs also is very dependent on who his hitting behind you and how often you get on base. Furcal's .348 OBP was good for 100 runs scored this year. But Pujols led the league in runs scored with his .430 OBP.

 

Should the stolen base to caught stealing overall ratio be added to slugging?? It adds to one's total bases....

 

I think Furcal helps Marcus Giles greatly. Pitchers don't only have to concentrate on getting Giles out, but also have to concentrate on holding Furcal to first base.

[goonys evil twin]

I think Furcal helps Marcus Giles greatly. Pitchers don't only have to concentrate on getting Giles out, but also have to concentrate on holding Furcal to first base.

 

That's a popular theory, but to my knowledge no objective analysis actually backs it up.

[frostwyrm]

I'm sure if we don't get some big name SS like Furcal Dusty will lobby hard to have Neifi start in 2006. Hendry seems to dislike confrontation so I think there's a good chance we'll see Neifi return.