Bruce Levine Reports on Rafael Furcal

[HoopsCubs]

Heard this on ESPN Radio AM 1000 at 8:40 AM CST.

 

Bruce is in SoCal at the GM meetings. He has just reported that it his strong belief that the only thing standing in the way of Furcal being signed by the Cubs is the Atlanta Braves. Braves still have exclusive rights for today. The Mets and Yankees are not seriously involved with Furcal at this time.

 

Bruce interviewed Paul Kinzer, Furcal's agent, who also happens to be Neifi Perez' and Aramis Ramirez' agent, and he said his client would love to play with the Cubs and have Perez, Ramirez and Maddux as teammates.

 

Bruce also stated that Neifi (we knew this) and Aramis (I don't think we knew this) are doing a daily sales job on trying to lure Furcal to the Cubs.

 

From everything Bruce has seen, Furcal is the Cubs primary target, because he provides OBP (his term, not mine) and speed at lead-off and excellent defense, which are 2 of Hendry's 3 main priorities this offseason: leadoff, defense, pitching.

 

 

Hoops

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

sweet. we need to get Furcal out of the way quickly and concentrate on the other gaping holes in this team.

[Mizzou]

I can definitely see Hendry signing Furcal by early next week.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I can see this happening. Hendry always moves quickly on his prime targets. (See: Remlinger, Mike; Hawkins, LaTroy).

 

Also, the Mets are busy right now trying to decide on a closer and a clean-up hitter. Furcal is likely number three on their list of priorities. Hendry likely wants to lock Furcal up quickly so he can focus on other issues as well as know he's free to move Walker to another team.

 

Hendry likely will make Furcal a nice offer and tell him he needs a quick answer or he'll move on to other concerns.

 

I bet we could be seeing a signing of Furcal by Monday afternoon.

[b_wiggy_66]

Peter Gammons predicted last night on Sportscenter that Furcal will go to the Cubs and he expects a deal to get done pretty quick. He said Hendry has lots of things that he wants to do so he will try to wrap up Furcal quick.

[Mark_R]

I have warmed up to the idea of getting Furcal over the weeks. My only (unrealistic) wish is that if they MUST :roll: deal Todd Walker, please please please either get Luis Castillo or just give the job to Ronny Cedeno. I cannot take another year of all Neifi.

[E.J.]

I can see this happening. Hendry always moves quickly on his prime targets. (See: Remlinger, Mike; Hawkins, LaTroy).

 

Also, the Mets are busy right now trying to decide on a closer and a clean-up hitter. Furcal is likely number three on their list of priorities. Hendry likely wants to lock Furcal up quickly so he can focus on other issues as well as know he's free to move Walker to another team.

 

Hendry likely will make Furcal a nice offer and tell him he needs a quick answer or he'll move on to other concerns.

 

I bet we could be seeing a signing of Furcal by Monday afternoon.

 

Anyone else getting sick of hearing about the stupid Mets? They've become the Yankees this year. They seem to be a focal point in all offseason discussions so far. How much money do the Mets have to spend this offseason?

[frostwyrm]

If it were up to me I'd pass on Furcal, but if Hendry absolutely has to get him I like that he's moving aggressively.

[JeffH]

How much money do the Mets have to spend this offseason?

 

I believe they have 27 gazillion dollars.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If it were up to me I'd pass on Furcal, but if Hendry absolutely has to get him I like that he's moving aggressively.

 

I agree. Furcal wouldn't be my number one priority, but if he is Hendry's I'm glad he's being quick about it.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

At least if he signs Furcal, he'll know what kind of money he has left for SP, CF, and RF. If Furcal stalls, he may return to Nomar as an option.

[JGalt73]

Christina Kahrl at BP is not so sure of the Furcal inevitibility:

 

"Well, first, we have to get through the play-acting pass at Rafael Furcal to keep the home folks happy. But you don't have to be a Calvinist to think that some outcomes are predetermined, and that when all of 2006 has been revealed and becomes history, the Cubs shortstop will be our very own fifth horseman of the apocalypse, the one who can bring desolation and waste to any lineup, the inNeiffably Neifi Perez."

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Christina Kahrl at BP is not so sure of the Furcal inevitibility:

 

"Well, first, we have to get through the play-acting pass at Rafael Furcal to keep the home folks happy. But you don't have to be a Calvinist to think that some outcomes are predetermined, and that when all of 2006 has been revealed and becomes history, the Cubs shortstop will be our very own fifth horseman of the apocalypse, the one who can bring desolation and waste to any lineup, the inNeiffably Neifi Perez."

 

That last line is a classic.

[Tedward]

I have warmed up to the idea of getting Furcal over the weeks.

 

Pretty easy to do when you consider who they've already signed this offseason.

[Tedward]

How much money do the Mets have to spend this offseason?

 

I believe they have 27 gazillion dollars.

 

Pretty close LOL!. I believe they kick off their version of the Yankee "YES" network next season, so they are trying to get as competitive as possible for their innaugural launch.

[Mark_R]

I have warmed up to the idea of getting Furcal over the weeks.

 

Pretty easy to do when you consider who they've already signed this offseason.

 

Also being resigned to Neifi definitely starting if we don't Furcal doesn't help. I don't see anyway that JH brings Nomar back.

[frostwyrm]

Christina Kahrl at BP is not so sure of the Furcal inevitibility:

 

"Well, first, we have to get through the play-acting pass at Rafael Furcal to keep the home folks happy. But you don't have to be a Calvinist to think that some outcomes are predetermined, and that when all of 2006 has been revealed and becomes history, the Cubs shortstop will be our very own fifth horseman of the apocalypse, the one who can bring desolation and waste to any lineup, the inNeiffably Neifi Perez."

 

Looking on the bright side, if Neifi has to start, he's a lot easier to stomach at SS than at 2B.

[CubfaninCA]

Neifi's already earning that money. Nef = good company man. :)

[YearofDaCubs]

sweet. we need to get Furcal out of the way quickly and concentrate on the other gaping holes in this team.

Totally agree. I would like to have Furcal here but we def need to solidify our OF.

[biittner77]

Was Perez's contract the price of gettiung Furcal? Perhaps Hendry grossly overpaying Perez helped grease the wheels. Since Cedeno is making league minimum the cost of overpaying Perez balances out.

 

Now depending on who the Cubs get to play CF, there's a good chance that we'll see Perez batting 8th and perhaps splitting time with Cedeno. Not the best of all possible worlds but at least Perez won't be at the top of the order.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Perhaps the Perez negotiations were a way for the Cubs and Furcal's agent to discuss financials on Furcal without breaking the rules.

 

Hendry: "We think Neifi is worth 1 million."

Kinzer: "If Furcal is worth 4/50 surely Perez is worth more than that."

Hendry: "Who says Furcal is worth 4/41?"

Kinzer: "Well, I'd think it will take at least 4/39."

Hendry: "Yes, I think he's worth 4/39."

Kinzer: "Sounds good to us. Now, back to Perez."

[CuseCubFan69]

Perhaps the Perez negotiations were a way for the Cubs and Furcal's agent to discuss financials on Furcal without breaking the rules.

 

Hendry: "We think Neifi is worth 1 million."

Kinzer: "If Furcal is worth 4/50 surely Perez is worth more than that."

Hendry: "Who says Furcal is worth 4/41?"

Kinzer: "Well, I'd think it will take at least 4/39."

Hendry: "Yes, I think he's worth 4/39."

Kinzer: "Sounds good to us. Now, back to Perez."

 

:D That's how I see it too! The only part your missing is when Kinzer has to be reminded who Perez is.

[nick23]

Perhaps the Perez negotiations were a way for the Cubs and Furcal's agent to discuss financials on Furcal without breaking the rules.

 

Hendry: "We think Neifi is worth 1 million."

Kinzer: "If Furcal is worth 4/50 surely Perez is worth more than that."

Hendry: "Who says Furcal is worth 4/41?"

Kinzer: "Well, I'd think it will take at least 4/39."

Hendry: "Yes, I think he's worth 4/39."

Kinzer: "Sounds good to us. Now, back to Perez."

 

:D That's how I see it too! The only part your missing is when Kinzer has to be reminded who Perez is.

I just completely laughed out loud while sitting at my desk. I hate when people do that.

[MPrior]

I know I'm a little late on this one, but the use of the word "inNeiffably" is brilliant, and should become part of our daily vocabulary.

 

For example, "Jim Hendry's recent signings can point to no other fact than, just like the man upstairs, Hendry's will is inNeiffable."

 

Brilliant.

[CubfaninCA]

Was Perez's contract the price of gettiung Furcal? Perhaps Hendry grossly overpaying Perez helped grease the wheels. Since Cedeno is making league minimum the cost of overpaying Perez balances out.

 

Now depending on who the Cubs get to play CF, there's a good chance that we'll see Perez batting 8th and perhaps splitting time with Cedeno. Not the best of all possible worlds but at least Perez won't be at the top of the order.

 

Perhap so. Get Furcal locked up asap, and Hendry can move on to possibly dealing Walker for outfield help.

Edited November 10, 2005 by CubfaninCA