Furcal Sets Price at 50 million

[Andy]

This is ridiculous. If it takes more than 4/36 to get Furcal then call up Nomar, he's coming back with Cedeno as the backup plan. Give Nomar a 1 year 6M contract and call it a day.

 

If I was Nomar, I'd tell Hendry and the Cubs to go jump into Lake Michigan.

That's why I said 6M, which is much more than he's likely to draw from other teams. I'd also throw in incentives to take it up to about 8.5M if he stayed healthy and produced.

[CUBZ99]

This is ridiculous. If it takes more than 4/36 to get Furcal then call up Nomar, he's coming back with Cedeno as the backup plan. Give Nomar a 1 year 6M contract and call it a day.

 

If I was Nomar, I'd tell Hendry and the Cubs to go jump into Lake Michigan.

 

 

Why? Hendry paid big for Nomar twice and Nomar let the Cubs down. He shouldn't have any animosity toward the Cubs, let alone Hendry.

[AAApittsburgh]

LOL. Why didn't we just get Tejada a couple years ago for 6/$72?

[Andy]

LOL. Why didn't we just get Tejada a couple years ago for 6/$72?

Dude, we can't be signing any contracts longer than four years. It's too risky. - JH

:roll:

[HoopsCubs]

This is ridiculous. If it takes more than 4/36 to get Furcal then call up Nomar, he's coming back with Cedeno as the backup plan. Give Nomar a 1 year 6M contract and call it a day.

 

If I was Nomar, I'd tell Hendry and the Cubs to go jump into Lake Michigan.

That's why I said 6M, which is much more than he's likely to draw from other teams. I'd also throw in incentives to take it up to about 8.5M if he stayed healthy and produced.

 

Wanting to improve your defense is a noble aim. Obsessing over it to the point where you sacrifice your offense is utterly stupid. Nomar swung the bat great in August and September. With Cedeno in the fold, and Neifi sure to be re-signed, the Cubs should have taken one more shot with Nomar. But they didn't give him the time of day. Exact same way they treated Moises after 2004. Where would the Cubs have ended up if Moises had been playing LF in 2005 from day one? I hope we're not asking ourselves, where would the Cubs have ended up if Nomar had been playing SS in 2006 from day one?

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

This is ridiculous. If it takes more than 4/36 to get Furcal then call up Nomar, he's coming back with Cedeno as the backup plan. Give Nomar a 1 year 6M contract and call it a day.

 

If I was Nomar, I'd tell Hendry and the Cubs to go jump into Lake Michigan.

 

how many millions did Nomar take off us? i forgot.

[YearofDaCubs]

One thing is for certain. The moves we want to see if they even happen will take a long time.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

If Furcal gets too expensive, it makes it that much more imperative IMO to nail down the Pierre trade, which I'm guessing is why Hendry has been pursuing that as his first priority. We simply must get a leadoff man, failure with that is not an option. So long as you have Pierre, you COULD just put Cedeno at SS with Neifi as his backup, keep Walker and bat him 2nd, with Hairston as his backup, and that wouldn't be so bad....with a good manager. Unfortunately, we know Baker would would play Neifi over Cedeno and bat him 2nd, and bat Walker 6th. Which would be a disaster.

 

Highlighting yet again why Hendry is screwing himself from the start by hanging his flag on a mental incompetent like Johnnie B. Unbelievable.

[RockTheIvy]

I still believe this is all agent BS. If we don't nab him, worse case scenario, we put Walker at 2B, Cedeno at short, trade for Pierre.

 

Pierre

Walker

Lee

(Giles/Dunn/Abreu)

Ramirez

Barrett

Murton

Cedeno

 

Still a good lineup, IMO.

[biittner77]

If Furcal gets too expensive, it makes it that much more imperative IMO to nail down the Pierre trade, which I'm guessing is why Hendry has been pursuing that as his first priority. We simply must get a leadoff man, failure with that is not an option. So long as you have Pierre, you COULD just put Cedeno at SS with Neifi as his backup, keep Walker and bat him 2nd, with Hairston as his backup, and that wouldn't be so bad....with a good manager. Unfortunately, we know Baker would would play Neifi over Cedeno and bat him 2nd, and bat Walker 6th. Which would be a disaster.

 

Highlighting yet again why Hendry is screwing himself from the start by hanging his flag on a mental incompetent like Johnnie B. Unbelievable.

 

I wonder if, at the end of the season, how many managers take a more serious look at stats, matchups etc. It could very well be that Baker goes by instinct and his notebook during the season but approaches the next year differently. For instance, Perez came over and immediately hit at the end of 2004. Baker goes into the offseason thinking that Perez can hit. He stays with Perez because of his hot start and rides him the rest of the way out of loyalty. But once the dust settles perhaps he looks at Perez's stats and says wow, this guy was pretty bad the last 3 months of the season.

 

I really believed that Baker batted Perez at the top because he felt that it was his best option. As someone that always tinkers with the lineup anyway, is it so far fetched to see him pencil Murton into the #2 spot? Depending on who they get to play RF I could see a lineup like this:

 

Pierre CF (lets assume)

Murton LF

Lee

Abreu

Ramirez

Walker

Barrett

Perez/Cedeno

 

Under those circumstances I could live with Walker batting 6th

[katway]

Doesn't surprise me that his agent would start out asking for the moon and the stars. Just because his agent says he needs 5 for $50M doesn't mean he will get it from anyone.

[Bruno7481]

The agent is just doing his job. Maybe somebody will give Furcal that kind money, I doubt it though. What do you expect the agent to say?

[frostwyrm]

I've warmed back up to Nomar a bit since Neifi re-signed. Previously I was dead set against Nomar largely because I thought he would miss way too much time and some crummy backup would play at least half the season. BUT . . . since Neifi's re-signing I have accepted the unfortunate fact that Dusty will find a way to start Neifi all year, and since he's going to start anyway, Nomar's missed time really wouldn't make as big a difference as it might. Worst-case scenario injury-wise for Nomar would have Neifi shifting to SS, Cedeno to full-time 2B, and unfulfilled incentive clauses that would yield lots of saved $$ that would come in very handy for late-season moves..

[YearofDaCubs]

I've warmed back up to Nomar a bit since Neifi re-signed. Previously I was dead set against Nomar largely because I thought he would miss way too much time and some crummy backup would play at least half the season. BUT . . . since Neifi's re-signing I have accepted the unfortunate fact that Dusty will find a way to start Neifi all year, and since he's going to start anyway, Nomar's missed time really wouldn't make as big a difference as it might. Worst-case scenario injury-wise for Nomar would have Neifi shifting to SS, Cedeno to full-time 2B, and unfulfilled incentive clauses that would yield lots of saved $$ that would come in very handy for late-season moves..

I think if we don't sign Furcal, Nomar coming back would be a good thing. I'm personally more concerned about the OF over everything else though. This is going to be a complicated offseason for the Cubs.

[RockTheIvy]

I've warmed back up to Nomar a bit since Neifi re-signed. Previously I was dead set against Nomar largely because I thought he would miss way too much time and some crummy backup would play at least half the season. BUT . . . since Neifi's re-signing I have accepted the unfortunate fact that Dusty will find a way to start Neifi all year, and since he's going to start anyway, Nomar's missed time really wouldn't make as big a difference as it might. Worst-case scenario injury-wise for Nomar would have Neifi shifting to SS, Cedeno to full-time 2B, and unfulfilled incentive clauses that would yield lots of saved $$ that would come in very handy for late-season moves..

I think if we don't sign Furcal, Nomar coming back would be a good thing. I'm personally more concerned about the OF over everything else though. This is going to be a complicated offseason for the Cubs.

 

I agree. Offensively, Nomar's upside is gigantic. He could very easily put up a .300/.350/.500 season, whcih at short, would be tremendous.

[frostwyrm]

I've warmed back up to Nomar a bit since Neifi re-signed. Previously I was dead set against Nomar largely because I thought he would miss way too much time and some crummy backup would play at least half the season. BUT . . . since Neifi's re-signing I have accepted the unfortunate fact that Dusty will find a way to start Neifi all year, and since he's going to start anyway, Nomar's missed time really wouldn't make as big a difference as it might. Worst-case scenario injury-wise for Nomar would have Neifi shifting to SS, Cedeno to full-time 2B, and unfulfilled incentive clauses that would yield lots of saved $$ that would come in very handy for late-season moves..

I think if we don't sign Furcal, Nomar coming back would be a good thing. I'm personally more concerned about the OF over everything else though. This is going to be a complicated offseason for the Cubs.

 

Once you accept that Neifi is going to start somewhere somehow and there's not a damn thing to done about it, suddenly a low-base/high-incentive contract for Nomar doesn't seem so awful.

Edited November 12, 2005 by frostwyrm

[Backtobanks]

If Furcal wants more than 4 years/$36 million, don't forget the other option besides Nomar. Move Cedeno back to SS and trade for Castillo, M. Giles, etc. to play 2B. Also, trading for Lugo to play SS at about half of Furcal's price might be an option. Getting Pierre and using Castillo or M. Giles solidifies the defense up the middle and gives us a #1 & #2 in the lineup. Call his bluff JH.

[RockTheIvy]

I've warmed back up to Nomar a bit since Neifi re-signed. Previously I was dead set against Nomar largely because I thought he would miss way too much time and some crummy backup would play at least half the season. BUT . . . since Neifi's re-signing I have accepted the unfortunate fact that Dusty will find a way to start Neifi all year, and since he's going to start anyway, Nomar's missed time really wouldn't make as big a difference as it might. Worst-case scenario injury-wise for Nomar would have Neifi shifting to SS, Cedeno to full-time 2B, and unfulfilled incentive clauses that would yield lots of saved $$ that would come in very handy for late-season moves..

I think if we don't sign Furcal, Nomar coming back would be a good thing. I'm personally more concerned about the OF over everything else though. This is going to be a complicated offseason for the Cubs.

 

Once you accept that Neifi is going to start somewhere somehow and there's not a damn thing to done about it, suddenly a low-incentive contract for Nomar doesn't seem so awful.

 

Just make it so that Neifi! doesn't start or bats 8th and I can still breathe.

[YearofDaCubs]

If Furcal wants more than 4 years/$36 million, don't forget the other option besides Nomar. Move Cedeno back to SS and trade for Castillo, M. Giles, etc. to play 2B. Also, trading for Lugo to play SS at about half of Furcal's price might be an option. Getting Pierre and using Castillo or M. Giles solidifies the defense up the middle and gives us a #1 & #2 in the lineup. Call his bluff JH.

I wouldn;t mind that either but having Cedeno and Neifi as SS scares me with Baker.

[RockTheIvy]

If Furcal wants more than 4 years/$36 million, don't forget the other option besides Nomar. Move Cedeno back to SS and trade for Castillo, M. Giles, etc. to play 2B. Also, trading for Lugo to play SS at about half of Furcal's price might be an option. Getting Pierre and using Castillo or M. Giles solidifies the defense up the middle and gives us a #1 & #2 in the lineup. Call his bluff JH.

I wouldn;t mind that either but having Cedeno and Neifi as SS scares me with Baker.

 

Cedeno would never play because Neifi! has cooler punctuation associated with his name, dude.

[Backtobanks]

MIAMI -- Free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal has set a price tag of $50 million over five or six years for his next contract, agent Paul Kizner told ESPNdeportes.com.

 

"Things have changed significantly since the free agent period started. There's only one Rafael Furcal available and whoever wants to get him, will have to pay for what he is worth," Kinzer said Friday. "We're looking for a five- or six-year contract, and $50 million is a pretty realistic figure."

 

 

 

Furcal's agent says the free agent shortstop is willing to move to the outfield.

Furcal had previously said he would look for a contract similar to the one Edgar Renteria signed with the Red Sox before the start of last season, worth 40 million over four years.

 

The 183 players who filed for free agency since the end of the World Series can start negotiating money with all teams starting Friday. Furcal filed for free agency after playing the last six seasons with the Atlanta Braves.

 

Kinzer said at least five teams have contacted him, including the Braves, and are ready to pay what Furcal is asking.

 

The New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals have already shown interest in Furcal, and according to Kinzer, the New York Yankees have also contacted him to know if Furcal would consider playing center field.

 

Depending on who replaces Theo Epstein as general manager, the Boston Red Sox could also join the chase. A move to Fenway Park would mean Furcal would likely not play shortstop unless Renteria is traded.

 

"Raffy is OK with playing shortstop, second base or center field," Kinzer said. "Just give him a glove and he will play wherever you ask him to."

 

Kinzer and Atlanta officials will meet again next week, but there is no schedule for further talks.

 

"There will be a lot of talking now, but I don't expect to sign a contract until the beginning of December," Kinzer said.

 

After a slow start, Furcal ended the season batting .338 in the Braves' last 78 games. He finished the season hitting .278 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI. Furcal also stole 46 bases and scored 100 runs.

 

Furcal, who was the National League's Rookie of the Year in 2000, has a .284 career batting average with 189 stolen bases and 554 runs scored.

 

 

 

 

I believe this is a ploy so that the Cubs think there are teams in the market for Furcal. I know that he wont get that much but if he does that is ridiculous. If Furcal really wants a 5 year 50 million deal we better call up Nomar real quick.

 

So much for signing Furcal by Monday.

[RockTheIvy]

MIAMI -- Free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal has set a price tag of $50 million over five or six years for his next contract, agent Paul Kizner told ESPNdeportes.com.

 

"Things have changed significantly since the free agent period started. There's only one Rafael Furcal available and whoever wants to get him, will have to pay for what he is worth," Kinzer said Friday. "We're looking for a five- or six-year contract, and $50 million is a pretty realistic figure."

 

 

 

Furcal's agent says the free agent shortstop is willing to move to the outfield.

Furcal had previously said he would look for a contract similar to the one Edgar Renteria signed with the Red Sox before the start of last season, worth 40 million over four years.

 

The 183 players who filed for free agency since the end of the World Series can start negotiating money with all teams starting Friday. Furcal filed for free agency after playing the last six seasons with the Atlanta Braves.

 

Kinzer said at least five teams have contacted him, including the Braves, and are ready to pay what Furcal is asking.

 

The New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals have already shown interest in Furcal, and according to Kinzer, the New York Yankees have also contacted him to know if Furcal would consider playing center field.

 

Depending on who replaces Theo Epstein as general manager, the Boston Red Sox could also join the chase. A move to Fenway Park would mean Furcal would likely not play shortstop unless Renteria is traded.

 

"Raffy is OK with playing shortstop, second base or center field," Kinzer said. "Just give him a glove and he will play wherever you ask him to."

 

Kinzer and Atlanta officials will meet again next week, but there is no schedule for further talks.

 

"There will be a lot of talking now, but I don't expect to sign a contract until the beginning of December," Kinzer said.

 

After a slow start, Furcal ended the season batting .338 in the Braves' last 78 games. He finished the season hitting .278 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI. Furcal also stole 46 bases and scored 100 runs.

 

Furcal, who was the National League's Rookie of the Year in 2000, has a .284 career batting average with 189 stolen bases and 554 runs scored.

 

 

 

 

I believe this is a ploy so that the Cubs think there are teams in the market for Furcal. I know that he wont get that much but if he does that is ridiculous. If Furcal really wants a 5 year 50 million deal we better call up Nomar real quick.

 

So much for signing Furcal by Monday.

 

Yeah, Tuesdday it is!

[JeffH]

Offensively, Nomar's upside is gigantic. He could very easily put up a .300/.350/.500 season, whcih at short, would be tremendous.

 

It's too bad it would only be in 50 games.

[RockTheIvy]

Offensively, Nomar's upside is gigantic. He could very easily put up a .300/.350/.500 season, whcih at short, would be tremendous.

 

It's too bad it would only be in 50 games.

 

I agree that it has happened in the past, but what if he stayed healthy? Is it worth not making a 60 million dollar gamble on Furcal when a SS is playing 2B for 300k?

 

Are you sure you aren't JIMH?

[JeffH]

Good, durable players who bring a lot to the table cost a lot of money.

 

If you want good, durable players who bring a lot to the table for little money, develop them yourself or trade top prospects for them.