Thoughts on why MAYBE Furcal DIDN'T sign with the Cubs...

[CubsWin22]

I know it could be about the money....13.3 million vs the Cubs offer of reportedly 10 million a year...but Hendry stated in the newspaper that he sat down with Furcal and explained to him his plan of attack and what route he was planning on going in the next several weeks for the team. He said he was just being honest with Furcal about what he wanted to do.

 

Maybe Furcal wasn't impressed? Maybe what JH said didn't sound like "championship caliber" type moves? Now I can see if he says, Hey Furcal if we sign you, we're looking at J. Jones in RF or something like that, Furcal would not be impressed at all. However, if Hendry says we're looking at trading for a Dunn or an Abreu for RF, I would think Furcal would be excited to play here a little bit more.

 

Just something else to think about other than the usual he was in it for the money.

 

We could be in for a RUDE AWAKENING if JH does the usual "cubs moves" and gets average pieces via trades or signings here soon. No one wants J. Jones when we have a shot to get Abreu who IS on the market. Do what it takes Hendry!

 

Basically what I am saying is, if at the end of this offseason if JH doesn't do anything "big" we could possibly see why Furcal didn't sign with us. He didn't like the direction Hendry was going.

 

Any thoughts??? :?:

[Drew Doughty]

It's possible, but I'm pretty sure it boiled down to money.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

It was the money.

[Roast]

Maybe he wanted to win?

[CubsWin22]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

lol, that's true...Cubs didn't impress last year, that's for sure.

[XZero771679666304]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

If he did, he went to the wrong place. L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon.

[Roast]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

If he did, he went to the wrong place. L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon.

 

Ok, then maybe he didnt want to be second-best to neifi....

[cjbucks]

I doubt the Dodgers impressed him with their plans as much as they did with their checkbook.

[Blueheart05]

I know it could be about the money....13.3 million vs the Cubs offer of reportedly 10 million a year...but Hendry stated in the newspaper that he sat down with Furcal and explained to him his plan of attack and what route he was planning on going in the next several weeks for the team. He said he was just being honest with Furcal about what he wanted to do.

 

Maybe Furcal wasn't impressed? Maybe what JH said didn't sound like "championship caliber" type moves? Now I can see if he says, Hey Furcal if we sign you, we're looking at J. Jones in RF or something like that, Furcal would not be impressed at all. However, if Hendry says we're looking at trading for a Dunn or an Abreu for RF, I would think Furcal would be excited to play here a little bit more.

 

Just something else to think about other than the usual he was in it for the money.

 

We could be in for a RUDE AWAKENING if JH does the usual "cubs moves" and gets average pieces via trades or signings here soon. No one wants J. Jones when we have a shot to get Abreu who IS on the market. Do what it takes Hendry!

 

Basically what I am saying is, if at the end of this offseason if JH doesn't do anything "big" we could possibly see why Furcal didn't sign with us. He didn't like the direction Hendry was going.

 

Any thoughts??? :?:

 

It was the money, plain and simple. The Dodgers have a number of decisions to make this offseason too. They aren't exactly a powerhouse.

[Blueheart05]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

lol, that's true...Cubs didn't impress last year, that's for sure.

 

And the Dodgers did?

[CubsWin22]

I doubt the Dodgers impressed him with their plans as much as they did with their checkbook.

 

Probably true, unfortunately.

I wanted Furcal as much as the next fan, but everything happens for a reason.

 

I would like to see Pierre and Lugo at the top of the lineup.

[XZero771679666304]

I know it could be about the money....13.3 million vs the Cubs offer of reportedly 10 million a year...but Hendry stated in the newspaper that he sat down with Furcal and explained to him his plan of attack and what route he was planning on going in the next several weeks for the team. He said he was just being honest with Furcal about what he wanted to do.

 

Maybe Furcal wasn't impressed? Maybe what JH said didn't sound like "championship caliber" type moves? Now I can see if he says, Hey Furcal if we sign you, we're looking at J. Jones in RF or something like that, Furcal would not be impressed at all. However, if Hendry says we're looking at trading for a Dunn or an Abreu for RF, I would think Furcal would be excited to play here a little bit more.

 

Just something else to think about other than the usual he was in it for the money.

 

We could be in for a RUDE AWAKENING if JH does the usual "cubs moves" and gets average pieces via trades or signings here soon. No one wants J. Jones when we have a shot to get Abreu who IS on the market. Do what it takes Hendry!

 

Basically what I am saying is, if at the end of this offseason if JH doesn't do anything "big" we could possibly see why Furcal didn't sign with us. He didn't like the direction Hendry was going.

 

Any thoughts??? :?:

 

It was the money, plain and simple. The Dodgers have a number of decisions to make this offseason too. They aren't exactly a powerhouse.

 

That's being kind. They're a mess. No manager, injuries, several key players coming off injuries, a lowered payroll, holes in the lineup, clubhouse issues.....

[Drew Doughty]

Plus, they're gonna trade us milton bradley.

 

>_>

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

If he did, he went to the wrong place. L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon.

 

 

Just curious, do you feel the Cubs have a much better chance at the playoffs then L.A.? I would think their odds are about even with the Cubs, maybe a little better considering they play in the NL west.

[YearofDaCubs]

Don't be fooled. It's always about the money and this transaction more than ever signifies that.

[XZero771679666304]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

If he did, he went to the wrong place. L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon.

 

 

Just curious, do you feel the Cubs have a much better chance at the playoffs then L.A.? I would think their odds are about even with the Cubs, maybe a little better considering they play in the NL west.

 

I think they (the Dodgers) have a marginally better chance of reaching the playoffs (pending further moves this offseason), but any team that wins the West is going to be stopped dead in the first round. Those are all bad teams, and I hardly think being a sacrificial lamb in the first round is anything to be excited about. If the Cubs add a good bat in RF and a leadoff man, I think the Cubs are a much better team, even if their chances of making the playoffs are less.

 

Hendry has 20-25 million to spend, and it's going to be spent. He's got a ton of young players to trade, and a lot of them are going to be traded. Barring disaster, the Cubs will have a significantly better team than the Dodgers come opening day.

Edited December 4, 2005 by XZero77

[CubbieSouthpaw]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

If he did, he went to the wrong place. L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon.

 

Other then its about 50 degrees warmer in the off season.

 

 

OK, 60 degrees.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

If he did, he went to the wrong place. L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon.

 

 

Just curious, do you feel the Cubs have a much better chance at the playoffs then L.A.? I would think their odds are about even with the Cubs, maybe a little better considering they play in the NL west.

 

I think they (the Dodgers) have a marginally better chance of reaching the playoffs (pending further moves this offseason), but any team that wins the West is going to be stopped dead in the first round. Those are all bad teams, and I hardly think being a sacrificial lamb in the first round is anything to be excited about. If the Cubs add a good bat in RF and a leadoff man, I think the Cubs are a much better team, even if their chances of making the playoffs are less.

 

Hendry has 20-25 million to spend, and it's going to be spent. He's got a ton of young players to trade, and a lot of them are going to be traded. Barring disaster, the Cubs will have a significantly better team than the Dodgers come opening day.

 

 

Those are good points, however with Furcal and a healthier team I think the Dodgers will also be a significantly better team next year.

[HoopsCubs]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

If he did, he went to the wrong place. L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon.

 

Let's define winning. If winning means making it to the post season, then I submit that the Dodgers have a better chance than the Cubs in 2006 at this point. Combination of 70% money and 30% post-season shot.

[XZero771679666304]

 

Those are good points, however with Furcal and a healthier team I think the Dodgers will also be a significantly better team next year.

 

Better, but significantly better? I'm not so sure. Who's going to play third? Or first? Bill Mueller? Drew and Bradley (who probably won't even be a Dodger come opening day) are perennial DL candidates who are coming of injuries. Izturis (who helped carry the Dodgers early last year with his improbable start) is not going to be ready till midseason after major surgery. Gagne is going to be coming odd major surgery, as is Jayson Werth. You have no idea what you will get out of Jose Cruz Jr.

 

Kent and Bradley hate each other. They don't even have a manager yet. They have a mixture of the young and inconsistent in the rotation. Weaver and possibly Lowe are going to be gone.

 

They gave a foolish contract to Drew, to Lowe, and now a very foolish contract to Furcal.

 

Now they're out of money.

 

 

As for the Cubs, Wood is going to be a issue, but I don't feel Prior will miss any real time next year. Z is Z. Maddux is Maddux.

 

We have Silver sluggers at first base and catcher, and a potential one in Ramirez at third whose offseason training is going to be monitored closely this year to help prevent leg troubles. We have gone from a terrible bullpen to a good one.

 

Most importantly we have a ton of money to spend and a ton of prospects to trade to fill our holes. L.A. has the prospects, but not the money.

 

I just feel the Cubs are in a better place than the Dodgers.

[XZero771679666304]

Maybe he wanted to win?

 

If he did, he went to the wrong place. L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon.

 

Let's define winning. If winning means making it to the post season, then I submit that the Dodgers have a better chance than the Cubs in 2006 at this point. Combination of 70% money and 30% post-season shot.

 

To me, winning means having a legitimate shot at the series. Neither the Cubs or Dodgers are there now, but the Cubs have a much better shot of being there by the end of the offseason, IMO.

 

The N.L. West isn't won, it's survived by attrition.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It was the money and Furcal's confidence in his own abilities. While it looks like he's leaving 11 million on the table from the Cubs offer, he's making much more per year and will a FA at 31. He likely believes that after putting up three good years, he'll still command a 3-5 year deal when he hits the market again.

[Backtobanks]

Not only is it about the money, but also he gets to be a FA again in 3 years and will be 30 years old. There aren't many players who get to cash in on free agency twice, but he might be able to do it.

[Mizzou]

I bet Neifi thinks he's going to start next year, and once he told his buddy Furcal that, Rafael decided he didn't want to be a backup and went to LA. Damn you Neifi!

[CardsFanInChiTown]

 

Those are good points, however with Furcal and a healthier team I think the Dodgers will also be a significantly better team next year.

 

Better, but significantly better? I'm not so sure. Who's going to play third? Or first? Bill Mueller? Drew and Bradley (who probably won't even be a Dodger come opening day) are perennial DL candidates who are coming of injuries. Izturis (who helped carry the Dodgers early last year with his improbable start) is not going to be ready till midseason after major surgery. Gagne is going to be coming odd major surgery, as is Jayson Werth. You have no idea what you will get out of Jose Cruz Jr.

 

Kent and Bradley hate each other. They don't even have a manager yet. They have a mixture of the young and inconsistent in the rotation. Weaver and possibly Lowe are going to be gone.

 

They gave a foolish contract to Drew, to Lowe, and now a very foolish contract to Furcal.

 

Now they're out of money.

 

 

As for the Cubs, Wood is going to be a issue, but I don't feel Prior will miss any real time next year. Z is Z. Maddux is Maddux.

 

We have Silver sluggers at first base and catcher, and a potential one in Ramirez at third whose offseason training is going to be monitored closely this year to help prevent leg troubles. We have gone from a terrible bullpen to a good one.

 

Most importantly we have a ton of money to spend and a ton of prospects to trade to fill our holes. L.A. has the prospects, but not the money.

 

I just feel the Cubs are in a better place than the Dodgers.

 

I agree with many of your points however I was just reacting to your post "L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon." compared to the Cubs. I just don't see a huge gap between the 2 teams. But I agree the Cubs have a better upside than L.A.