Schuerholz on Furcal and Lugo

[The Voice of Reason]

Evidently the Cubs weren't the only ones blind-sided by Fucal's agent and yes it was all about the money. Somehow I think the Braves will overcome the loss of their SS, leadoff hitter, and closer (Farnsworth) better than the Cubs would.

 

http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/1205/05braves.html

 

^Registration required but with Furcal on the Dodgers not really necessary anymore.

 

Short snippets follows.

 

Braves general manager John Schuerholz still was a bit peeved Sunday over what he called the lack of negotiations with Rafael Furcal's agent.

 

"We were waiting to hear from Furcal's agent about what they wanted to stay a Brave and still have not heard that."

 

" . . . we never had a chance to negotiate."

 

"It simply became a bidding process -- whoever put in the most attractive bid got the player. They assured us more things were going to be considered than just money. But so far, about 100 percent of the people who've talked to me about the signing believe it was just about the money.

 

"You like to feel like you'd have a chance to engage in negotiations, especially with a player who's been in your organization nine years."

 

Re: Lugo - The Braves have had some discussions with Tampa Bay about shortstop Julio Lugo. He comes with baggage -- arrested and charged with assaulting his wife in 2003. He had his best season in 2005 (.295, 57 RBIs, 39 steals, .362 on-base percentage) and is under contract only for 2006 at $4.95 million. A one-year commitment is attractive to the Braves, who have shortstop prospects rising in their organization.

 

Kansas City's Angel Berroa (36 homers, 171 RBIs in the past three seasons) also has drawn interest from Atlanta.

Edited December 5, 2005 by The Voice of Reason

[Derwood]

Jayson Stark says (FWIW) that either the Dodgers or Braves would be front runners for Lugo, depending on who lost out on Furcal's services... Edited December 5, 2005 by Derwood

[The Voice of Reason]

Jayson Stark says (FWIW) that either the Dodgers or Braves would be front runners for Furcal, depending on who lost out on his services...

 

I assume you mean frontrunners for Lugo depending upon who lost out on Furcal.

[abuck1220]

a guy's numbers look awesome when you say what he's done over three season...36 homers and 171 rbis!

[Derwood]

Jayson Stark says (FWIW) that either the Dodgers or Braves would be front runners for Furcal, depending on who lost out on his services...

 

I assume you mean frontrunners for Lugo depending upon who lost out on Furcal.

 

Yes, correct. I'll edit that.