Cubs make formal offer to Furcal

[Schwarber Fan]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

i agree

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

[E.J.]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

What if not getting Furcal meant that Neifi or Agonz II would start at SS, would you still feel the same?

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

Would you list the "top tier" SS in the NL then please! Also, list there availablity via free agency or trade!

 

Thanks!

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

What if not getting Furcal meant that Neifi or Agonz II would start at SS, would you still feel the same?

 

If Furcal comes here, Walker is gone. Neifi will be starting anyways. I don't see Cedeno playing 2B in Venezuela like Hendry and Co. said. I'm not willing to throw away 50M/5 (potentially) on a guy just to have ok OBP batting leadoff instead of the horror we had last season.

 

If we don't get Furcal, we're going to go buck wild in the trade scene, which is what I would have liked to see Hendry do in the first place. His best moves have come via trade. He gets taken in free agency. Neifi is gone after 2 seasons anyways. I'll take 2 crappy years rather than getting locked into Furcal at top dollar for 5.

[goonys evil twin]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

Would you list the "top tier" SS in the NL then please! Also, list there availablity via free agency or trade!

 

Thanks!

 

AL/NL or availability don't matter when talking about who is top tier and who is second tier. Furcal is clearly 2nd tier. The list has been given before. But guys like Tejada, ARod, Jeter and a couple others are better than Furcal. Just because the others aren't available doesn't mean it suddenly justifies listing Furcal in the first group. That would be like calling Konerko a top tier 1st baseman simply because Pujos, Lee and the big boys aren't available.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

Would you list the "top tier" SS in the NL then please! Also, list there availablity via free agency or trade!

 

Thanks!

 

Why does it matter only for the NL? As others have said before, there's:

 

A-Rod

Jeter

Tejada

Peralta(if he can repeat his numbers)

F. Lopez(ditto Peralta)

Young(if he can repeat his splits)

 

Then there's quite a dropoff to Furcal, Renteria, and the like. That's why he's second tier.

[E.J.]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

Would you list the "top tier" SS in the NL then please! Also, list there availablity via free agency or trade!

 

Thanks!

 

AL/NL or availability don't matter when talking about who is top tier and who is second tier. Furcal is clearly 2nd tier. The list has been given before. But guys like Tejada, ARod, Jeter and a couple others are better than Furcal. Just because the others aren't available doesn't mean it suddenly justifies listing Furcal in the first group. That would be like calling Konerko a top tier 1st baseman simply because Pujos, Lee and the big boys aren't available.

 

but Konerko is going to get 1st tier money because he's the only decent 1st baseman FA this year. There's no market for 1b just like there isn't a good market for free agent SS this year. Hendry feels we need a SS so he's going to have to overpay to get one. I don't agree with Hendry's thinking. I'd rather have Cedeno playing SS with a big bat in RF, but I don't run the team. But if Hendry wants a SS he's going to have to overpay to get one because of how the market is.

[JeffH]

Furcal is not great.

 

He is, however, unique.

 

Need a leadoff hitter that gets on base pretty well? Furcal.

 

Want to add a high percentage basestealer and generally improve your team speed? Furcal.

 

Want to greatly improve your defense up the middle? Furcal.

 

Jeff's offer to Furcal:

 

$38/4 guaranteed.

 

Fifth and sixth years vest at $10 each with 1200 plate appearances combined in the third and fourth years.

 

If the combined fifth and sixth year vesting is not reached, the fifth year vests at $10 with 500 plate appearances in the fourth year.

 

If the fifth year does not vest, Cubs have an option for the fifth year at $12. If the Cubs decline that option, Furcal has an option for the fifth year at $8.

 

If either the fifth year vests (but not the sixth year) or the Cubs exercise their option on the fifth year, a sixth year structured just like the fifth year is added. A sixth year is not added if the Cubs decline their fifth year option and Furcal exercises his.

[Hector Villanuevas Pants]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

Would you list the "top tier" SS in the NL then please! Also, list there availablity via free agency or trade!

 

Thanks!

 

Why does it matter only for the NL? As others have said before, there's:

 

A-Rod

Jeter

Tejada

Peralta(if he can repeat his numbers)

F. Lopez(ditto Peralta)

Young(if he can repeat his splits)

 

Then there's quite a dropoff to Furcal, Renteria, and the like. That's why he's second tier.

 

And how much did Renteria get last year? And how much are A-Rod, Jeter, and Tejada paid (the last three don't count becuase, as you stated, have not had repeated success)? Thus, $8-10 million for Furcal seems about right for a "second tier" SS.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

Would you list the "top tier" SS in the NL then please! Also, list there availablity via free agency or trade!

 

Thanks!

 

Why does it matter only for the NL? As others have said before, there's:

 

A-Rod

Jeter

Tejada

Peralta(if he can repeat his numbers)

F. Lopez(ditto Peralta)

Young(if he can repeat his splits)

 

Then there's quite a dropoff to Furcal, Renteria, and the like. That's why he's second tier.

 

I understand your post, however...are any of these guys available via FA or trade? If not, our options are few and our team needs to sign the best available SS. As others have stated, what scares me is Plan B or even Plan C. I don't want Ronny or Perez starting and I don't care to see AGonII at all.

 

Furcal is our best option IMO.

[Hector Villanuevas Pants]

>Why does it matter only for the NL? As others have said before, there's:

>

>A-Rod

>Jeter

>Tejada

>Peralta(if he can repeat his numbers)

>F. Lopez(ditto Peralta)

>Young(if he can repeat his splits)

 

>Then there's quite a dropoff to Furcal, Renteria, and the like. That's why >he's second tier.

 

And how much did Renteria get last year? And how much are A-Rod, Jeter, and Tejada paid (the last three don't count becuase, as you stated, they have not had repeated success are are not on the market)? Thus, $8-10 million for Furcal seems about right for a "second tier" SS.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

Would you list the "top tier" SS in the NL then please! Also, list there availablity via free agency or trade!

 

Thanks!

 

Who's better in the NL? Bill Hall and Felipe Lopez.

 

Does it matter who's available this year? This isn't checkers, it's chess. We can solve the OF issue this year via trade and then afford to have some combo of Neifi/Walker/Cedeno in the middle infield.

 

SS offensive production per dollar is very low compared to other positions, especially the OF. There are plenty of viable and productive options available in the OF, where the dollar goes further. Let's spend money there where it makes the most sense. If a stud SS comes along in the future, assuming Cedeno doesn't pan out for us, we can upgrade.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

Would you list the "top tier" SS in the NL then please! Also, list there availablity via free agency or trade!

 

Thanks!

 

Who's better in the NL? Bill Hall and Felipe Lopez.

 

Does it matter who's available this year? This isn't checkers, it's chess. We can solve the OF issue this year via trade and then afford to have some combo of Neifi/Walker/Cedeno in the middle infield.

 

SS offensive production per dollar is very low compared to other positions, especially the OF. There are plenty of viable and productive options available in the OF, where the dollar goes further. Let's spend money there where it makes the most sense. If a stud SS comes along in the future, assuming Cedeno doesn't pan out for us, we can upgrade.

 

And I will stop right here. Unbelievable that you would say Bill Hall is a better SS than Furcal. Wow, I didn't know what I was dealing with when I asked you a simple question! :shock:

[CubinNY]

Thus, $8-10 million for Furcal seems about right for a "second tier" SS.

 

I agree to an extent. Furcal has a decent history, and with the going rate for SS 8 to 10/year is about right.

 

However, I think the going rate is foolish. I cannot imagine that Furcal will put up that much better numbers than either Neifi (gasp) or Cedeno to warrent paying him that kind of money.

 

See, that is my problem this off-season. Hendry has spent good money upgrading positions that could be filled internally and completely neglected (as far as we know) the one position where there isn't an internal candidate. I'm not saying Howry and Eyre aren't going to be servicable. But IMO the Cubs already have guys that are serviceable.

 

I'm anxiously awaiting the Winter meetings. I hope Hendry can pull a rabbit out of his hat. I hope the Rabbit's name is Bobby.

[CubbieSouthpaw]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

What if not getting Furcal meant that Neifi or Agonz II would start at SS, would you still feel the same?

 

If Furcal comes here, Walker is gone. Neifi will be starting anyways. I don't see Cedeno playing 2B in Venezuela like Hendry and Co. said. I'm not willing to throw away 50M/5 (potentially) on a guy just to have ok OBP batting leadoff instead of the horror we had last season.

 

If we don't get Furcal, we're going to go buck wild in the trade scene, which is what I would have liked to see Hendry do in the first place. His best moves have come via trade. He gets taken in free agency. Neifi is gone after 2 seasons anyways. I'll take 2 crappy years rather than getting locked into Furcal at top dollar for 5.

 

If Neifi gets more then 200 AB's this team is in trouble no matter who is in the line-up.

[JWCUB]

Thus, $8-10 million for Furcal seems about right for a "second tier" SS.

 

I agree to an extent. Furcal has a decent history, and with the going rate for SS 8 to 10/year is about right.

 

However, I think the going rate is foolish. I cannot imagine that Furcal will put up that much better numbers than either Neifi (gasp) or Cedeno to warrent paying him that kind of money.

 

See, that is my problem this off-season. Hendry has spent good money upgrading positions that could be filled internally and completely neglected (as far as we know) the one position where there isn't an internal candidate. I'm not saying Howry and Eyre aren't going to be servicable. But IMO the Cubs already have guys that are serviceable.

 

I'm anxiously awaiting the Winter meetings. I hope Hendry can pull a rabbit out of his hat. I hope the Rabbit's name is Bobby.

Or Manny......

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I caught the end of a Bruce Levine report on ESPN1000 this morning and it sounded like he said the Cubs offered 4 years/38 million.

 

If true, very reasonable.

He also mentioned that the first team to add the 5th year probably gets him. I say do it, he is still young.

 

I disagree. Furcal is a 2nd tier SS and I'd rather not have him much longer once Hendry and Dusty are sent packing. :twisted:

 

I could deal with 4/38M, but that's probably not an offer he accepts.

 

Would you list the "top tier" SS in the NL then please! Also, list there availablity via free agency or trade!

 

Thanks!

 

Who's better in the NL? Bill Hall and Felipe Lopez.

 

Does it matter who's available this year? This isn't checkers, it's chess. We can solve the OF issue this year via trade and then afford to have some combo of Neifi/Walker/Cedeno in the middle infield.

 

SS offensive production per dollar is very low compared to other positions, especially the OF. There are plenty of viable and productive options available in the OF, where the dollar goes further. Let's spend money there where it makes the most sense. If a stud SS comes along in the future, assuming Cedeno doesn't pan out for us, we can upgrade.

 

And I will stop right here. Unbelievable that you would say Bill Hall is a better SS than Furcal. Wow, I didn't know what I was dealing with when I asked you a simple question! :shock:

 

Why are you avoiding the second and third paragraphs? I hate when people dismiss an argument just b/c they don't agree with some side issue that isn't even relevant to the argument in the first place. I highlighted the argument for you.

[nolanwood]

I definitely wouldn't be disappointed with an infield of Cedeno/Walker/Perez if we picked up a big impact bat for the OF, and also addressed the other OF spot as well, with somebody other than a Preson Wilson or comparable player.....

 

Plus, without spending the $ on Furcal and by picking up a big impact bat via trade, we should have plenty of $ to snag another quality pitcher.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

If Neifi gets more then 200 AB's this team is in trouble no matter who is in the line-up.

 

You're telling me that if we had a lineup of Lee/Walker/Neifi/Ramirez/Barrett/Murton/Bradley/Abreu, we are in trouble?

[BigbadB]

If Neifi gets more then 200 AB's this team is in trouble no matter who is in the line-up.

 

You're telling me that if we had a lineup of Lee/Walker/Neifi/Ramirez/Barrett/Murton/Bradley/Abreu, we are in trouble?

 

No, I could deal with Neifi batting 8th on this team. He's actually not a bad option to hit 8th. Can Dusty be trusted to bat him 8th is my concern. Of course, I'd rather see Cedeno play over Neifi, and I don't see Cedeno going to Phily in any deal since they seem pretty set up the middle.

[gflore34]

While my perference is a trade for Castillo and going with Cedeno at SS, I'm pushing for the Furcal signing. In my opinion, its the only way Perez won't see significant playing time, if Walker is retained, the infield is set - Furcal/Walker. If Furcal is not signed and, SS is left to Cedeno/Perez, recent history has shown Dusty will find a way to get Perez 100 or more SS starts.

[hardcorecubfan]

He was probably hoping to get Furcal drunk and then get him to sign a contract.

 

I am hoping he gets Furcal's agent drunk and his wife, then you take two thinkers out of the equation and he may sign cheap

[hardcorecubfan]

He was probably hoping to get Furcal drunk and then get him to sign a contract.

 

I am hoping he gets Furcal's agent drunk and his wife, then you take two thinkers out of the equation and he may sign cheap

[RynoRules]

Mods feel free to merge this with another Furcal thread if necessary.

 

Noteworthy: Furcal spent Sunday and Monday here in Chicago; race is down to the Cubs, Braves and Dodgers. I had not heard that one. Here's the article:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2241012[/i]