Furcal Sets Price at 50 million

[abuck1220]

boot walker, his $2.5 mil salary and .829 OPS for furcal, his $10 mil salary and his .777 OPS?

 

um...no thanks.

 

And ignore the fact that Furcal is 5 years younger, can play a good SS and is a very good base stealer. Walker meanwhile will be 33 on opening day, and is at best an average second baseman. Also the last two seasons where Walker has had over 500 plate appearances his OPS has been .784 and .761.

In 2003 Furcal put up a .795 OPS while stealing 25 bases (in 27 attempts) while Walker put up a .761 OPS in Boston.

 

I don't like the fact that they're booting an inexpensive Walker either, but it's ridiculous to compare their salaries based solely on last year's OPS.

 

furcal is certainly better than walker, but there's no way i'm giving furcal that kind of money...especially when ss isn't a necessity. is furcal + cedeno really 7.5 mil (not to mention the years committment) better than walker + cedeno?

 

you take that 7.5 mil + neifi's 2.5 mil + rusch's $3 mil and you can possibly sign yourself brian giles.

[da bears]

It says 6 years 50 million which is about 8 million a year. I say a deal something like this

 

5/42 million fixed.

 

with a 6th for 8 million that would work.

 

Too much, in my opinion.

[erik316wttn]

This is what you get for putting all your eggs in one basket.

 

I'd still rather see Nomar here than Furcal. Something tells me we are really going to regret letting Nomar walk.

 

Of course, if Furcal wants that insane contract, we may well see Nomar back here. Without the sweetheart, low base/high incentive deal he probably would have signed, of course.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

I'm glad this is happening. Maybe I'll get another season out of my Nomar jersey.

 

I know my name dictates my feelings, but at that price especially we need Nomar back another year. He deserves another shot to make it through a year without injury. If he messed up this year then kiss goodbye, but his upside is worth the gamble IMO.

[da bears]

I'm glad this is happening. Maybe I'll get another season out of my Nomar jersey.

 

I know my name dictates my feelings, but at that price especially we need Nomar back another year. He deserves another shot to make it through a year without injury. If he messed up this year then kiss goodbye, but his upside is worth the gamble IMO.

 

How many years are we gonna give Nomar to get healthy and play healthy? God forbid we try to win the World Series this year.

[erik316wttn]

I'm glad this is happening. Maybe I'll get another season out of my Nomar jersey.

 

I know my name dictates my feelings, but at that price especially we need Nomar back another year. He deserves another shot to make it through a year without injury. If he messed up this year then kiss goodbye, but his upside is worth the gamble IMO.

 

Exactly.

 

By then Cedeno would have been ready, IMO. Or, if not, then I'm sure the SS crop next year would be better.

 

There is NO NEED to throw a buttload of money at Furcal when we have at least 2 other options.

[da bears]

I'm glad this is happening. Maybe I'll get another season out of my Nomar jersey.

 

I know my name dictates my feelings, but at that price especially we need Nomar back another year. He deserves another shot to make it through a year without injury. If he messed up this year then kiss goodbye, but his upside is worth the gamble IMO.

 

Exactly.

 

By then Cedeno would have been ready, IMO. Or, if not, then I'm sure the SS crop next year would be better.

 

There is NO NEED to throw a buttload of money at Furcal when we have at least 2 other options.

 

Who exactly is in the free agent market next year for shortstops?

[JeffH]

• Tomas Perez (club option)
  Kazuo Matsui (can opt for either free agency or arb.)
  Craig Counsell
  Julio Lugo
  Chris Gomez

 

Sign Furcal, please.

[da bears]

• Tomas Perez (club option)
  Kazuo Matsui (can opt for either free agency or arb.)
  Craig Counsell
  Julio Lugo
  Chris Gomez

 

Sign Furcal, please.

 

I agree with you. If we don't sign Furcal, in my opinion, I'm not going to have anything to root for this year.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

If Edgar Renteria got 4-40 is 5-50 really that crazy? Honestly before this post I figured he would get something like 4-42.

[da bears]

If Edgar Renteria got 4-40 is 5-50 really that crazy? Honestly before this post I figured he would get something like 4-42.

 

I respect your opinion Cardsfan, would you sign a shortstop for that money, especially if you were in the Cubs situation? Consider that the Cubs are competing with the White Sox and have to please the fans now.

[Jehrico]

• Tomas Perez (club option)
  Kazuo Matsui (can opt for either free agency or arb.)
  Craig Counsell
  Julio Lugo
  Chris Gomez

 

Sign Furcal, please.

 

If those are the options next year, I go with RonnyC.

[Jehrico]

I'd go ahead and sign him for 5 and 50. In two years, trade him to the Yanks or someone and give the reigns to Ronny. We should be able to get a blue chip prospect and then some for him in a couple of years (especially since there doesn't appear to be any stud SSs hitting the market in the near future, which will only help raise his trade value even more) when RonnyC's ready. Sign him for 5/50, pay him for 2/20. Let someone else pick up the other 3/30.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

If Edgar Renteria got 4-40 is 5-50 really that crazy? Honestly before this post I figured he would get something like 4-42.

 

I respect your opinion Cardsfan, would you sign a shortstop for that money, especially if you were in the Cubs situation? Consider that the Cubs are competing with the White Sox and have to please the fans now.

 

No way if I were the Cubs would I pay that. I just noticed posts to the effect of "His agent is crazy if he thinks hes getting that kind of money". I don't think he's crazy at all. One other thought - ER was a better free agent then Furcal.

[da bears]

If Edgar Renteria got 4-40 is 5-50 really that crazy? Honestly before this post I figured he would get something like 4-42.

 

I respect your opinion Cardsfan, would you sign a shortstop for that money, especially if you were in the Cubs situation? Consider that the Cubs are competing with the White Sox and have to please the fans now.

 

No way if I were the Cubs would I pay that. I just noticed posts to the effect of "His agent is crazy if he thinks hes getting that kind of money". I don't think he's crazy at all. One other thought - ER was a better free agent then Furcal.

 

Even though the Cubs don't have anyone playing shortstop/ leading off? What would your solution be if you were Jim Hendry?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm hoping that Furcal's outrageous demands will make Hendry look a lot harder at Brian Giles.

[Sabermetrician]

I'm hoping that Furcal's outrageous demands will make Hendry look a lot harder at Brian Giles.

 

We'll just end up with Alex Gonzalez (Marlins) and Jacque Jones for the combined price of Giles, instead.

[da bears]

I'm hoping that Furcal's outrageous demands will make Hendry look a lot harder at Brian Giles.

 

We'll just end up with Alex Gonzalez (Marlins) and Jacque Jones for the combined price of Giles, instead.

 

:-& I really hope youre wrong.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

If Edgar Renteria got 4-40 is 5-50 really that crazy? Honestly before this post I figured he would get something like 4-42.

 

I respect your opinion Cardsfan, would you sign a shortstop for that money, especially if you were in the Cubs situation? Consider that the Cubs are competing with the White Sox and have to please the fans now.

 

No way if I were the Cubs would I pay that. I just noticed posts to the effect of "His agent is crazy if he thinks hes getting that kind of money". I don't think he's crazy at all. One other thought - ER was a better free agent then Furcal.

 

Even though the Cubs don't have anyone playing shortstop/ leading off? What would your solution be if you were Jim Hendry?

 

Wow, I feel evil playing the Cubs GM but here we go...

 

Fire Dusty

Sign Giles - 3/30ish

Play Ronny Cedeno at SS (although, I would be tempted to get Lugo depending on the price). Play Murton.

Trade for Bradley.

Keep Walker.

 

Line up in order:

 

Walker - 2B

Giles - RF

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Bradley - CF

Murton - LF

Barrett - C

Cedeno - SS

 

Save 3-5m for midseason pickups as insurance for injuries or player ineffectiveness (I bet RC, Murton or Demp will disappoint). Spend the rest on relief or starting pitching depending where the better deals are.

 

Oh and trade Z, Prior and cash to the Cards for John Gall. :wink:

[Andy]

If Edgar Renteria got 4-40 is 5-50 really that crazy? Honestly before this post I figured he would get something like 4-42.

 

I respect your opinion Cardsfan, would you sign a shortstop for that money, especially if you were in the Cubs situation? Consider that the Cubs are competing with the White Sox and have to please the fans now.

The Cubs are probably getting to the point where they need to please the fans regardless of the White Sox. The Cubs have been raising payroll the last few years, had a mega-talented team in 2004, and still have failed to deliver the desired results. IMO the margin for error is decreasing whether or not the Sox win it. Would anyone on this board not be calling for Giles/Dunn/etc. if the Sox had gone 70-92?

[JeffH]

One other thought - ER was a better free agent then Furcal.

 

Have another drink, buddy boy. It's obvious that you're all liquored up.

[David]

• Tomas Perez (club option)
  Kazuo Matsui (can opt for either free agency or arb.)
  Craig Counsell
  Julio Lugo
  Chris Gomez

 

Sign Furcal, please.

 

 

Sign Nomar, please... and if it backfires, Lugo please. I'd rather have him than Furcal anyway.

[da bears]

If Edgar Renteria got 4-40 is 5-50 really that crazy? Honestly before this post I figured he would get something like 4-42.

 

I respect your opinion Cardsfan, would you sign a shortstop for that money, especially if you were in the Cubs situation? Consider that the Cubs are competing with the White Sox and have to please the fans now.

The Cubs are probably getting to the point where they need to please the fans regardless of the White Sox. The Cubs have been raising payroll the last few years, had a mega-talented team in 2004, and still have failed to deliver the desired results. IMO the margin for error is decreasing whether or not the Sox win it. Would anyone on this board not be calling for Giles/Dunn/etc. if the Sox had gone 70-92?

 

I agree with you. Even if the Sox did not win it all, I would still be calling for all these moves. I do not care what the Sox did. I just want the Cubs to win the World Series.

[NorthsideAvenger]

First: As a couple of people mention earlier, this is simply a negotiating ploy. The employer (the Cubs) will offer the lowest possible deal, whereas the employee will offer the higest offer possible. The two rumors deals are 4 yrs/$36 mill from the Cubs "alledgely", and 5 yrs/$50 mill from Furcal and his agent, "alledgely." Split the difference, and that is roughly what Furcal will sign for. I say Furcal signs for 4 yrs around $43 mill (give or take) with certain incentives, especially in the last 2 or so yrs. That's my guess.

 

Second: I love Nomar, but he simply isn't a SS anymore, and anybody who endorse him as a SS is living in the lat 1990s. I hate to say it, but Nomar is more of a 2B/3B, and seeing, and in my eyes, the Cubs can't afford to throw money at Nomar, and watch him spend half the season ont eh DL, and watch Nefti start at SS(shudders) again in Nomar's absense.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&season=2005&seasonType=2&split=82&sortOrder=true&sortColumn=fieldingPct

 

Furcal isn't as bad defensively as people are trying to make it sounds. Like W/L for pitchers, errors are not a true indication of a defensive players. Now is he going to be worth the contract in 2 yrs....maybe, maybe not. People tend to overrate leadoff guys, but I don't. In the absense of getting a great leadoff hitter, you get a very good leadoff hitter, which Furcal is. He would add a aspect of baseball the Cubs aren't used to. Lugo doens't provide it. Walker doesn't provide. Speed changes the game, moreso then power.

 

Bold prediction: Furcal signs 4 yrs $43 mill, perhaps on the same day the Cubs acquire Juan Pierre.

[Guest]

I wanted Cedeno and Walker in the infield. Furcal is making me happy by overpricing himself, too bad Neifi didn't do the same.

Neifi did do the same. The only problem is Hendry apparently didn't figure that out.

 

As far as Furcal goes, I'd offer $7-$8 million per over 4 years, tops. If Furcal isn't interested in that I'd use that cash go full-bore after Giles and bring back Nomar on the cheap. Leadoff can be addressed via a new CF if we feel it to be really necessary, though in my opinion Walker and/or Murton would be just fine at the top of the order.