Furcal to the Braves? (1 Viewer)

[Gambino]

This tells me Escobar is on his way out of Atlanta. He has apparently gotten himself on the Bobby Cox #### list. I wouldn't be surprised to see him sent packing soon...maybe to St. Louis in an Ankiel deal?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...8&fext=.jsp

The Braves appear to be on the cusp of bringing back shortstop Rafael Furcal, one of the most productive players in the team's recent history, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

A Major League source told Fox Sports that Furcal has decided to return to his first franchise, with a contract agreement expected to be announced Tuesday, conditional on Furcal passing a physical. The deal is believed to be for three years with a vesting option for a fourth.

Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told FOXSports.com on Monday night before the report broke, "[The Braves] are in deep. He's seriously considering it."

The Oakland A's have been the front-runner to acquire the shortstop's services, offering what is believed to be the only four-year deal that Furcal received. However, Furcal is said to prefer returning to either one of the two franchises for which he's played: the Braves or the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Furcal played six seasons for the Braves, winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 2000 and making the All-Star team in 2003, when he finished third in the National League in runs scored with 130. He then signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Dodgers. Furcal was limited by back issues in 2008, but did hit .357 with 16 RBIs in 36 games.

The Braves already have a potential All-Star caliber shortstop in Yunel Escobar. The strong-armed Furcal could conceivably move to second base, or the Braves could use Escobar as trade bait. Escobar had previously been mentioned in trade talks for San Diego ace Jake Peavy. The Padres recently broke off talks with the Cubs for Peavy, but didn't rule out revisiting talks with other teams.

 

[tuffnutt]

Think you could see trade talks open back up with the royals... Braves want Greinke, royals need a SS. So a Greinke for escobar tarde seems in place.

Personally, I'd like to see something like Greinke and Gullien, for Escobar, Francour, Jo Jo Reyes and another prospect.

 

[GroveDiesel]

As if the Braves didn't already have enough guys in their late 30s early 40s...

 

[Gambino]

As if the Braves didn't already have enough guys in their late 30s early 40s...

Furcal is 31

 

[harrycarey]

As if the Braves didn't already have enough guys in their late 30s early 40s...

Furcal is 31

Yeah and aren't all their hitters aside from Chipper young? (McCann, Esco, KJ, Kotchman, Frenchy, Blanco, Prado..etc)

 

[blackjack23]

As if the Braves didn't already have enough guys in their late 30s early 40s...

Furcal is "31" :(

IFYP

 

[skillz]

ESPN News is reporting that a preliminary deal is done between the Braves and Furcal. Nothing on the terms though.

 

[Gambino]

ESPN News is reporting that a preliminary deal is done between the Braves and Furcal. Nothing on the terms though.

My guess it will be around $10M a year for 3 years and a vesting 4th year based on playing time.

 

[Balco]

Alot has been made of the Yankees splashy signings, but when all is said and done, I think the Braves will be the most improved teams. Signing Furcal means they can now deal Escobar for a vet. Secobar for Greinke would be a great deal for the Braves.

 

[Gambino]

Alot has been made of the Yankees splashy signings, but when all is said and done, I think the Braves will be the most improved teams. Signing Furcal means they can now deal Escobar for a vet. Secobar for Greinke would be a great deal for the Braves.

I agree, assuming they get a top of the staff starter and a power hitting left-fielder. A lot of work still to be done.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Dodgers back in it for Furcal?

 

[Michael Brown]

Furcal close to a deal with the Dodgers according to Yahoo. Link

I wonder if this puts them out of the running on Manny. It's weird, but I kinda hope the Sox DO get Teixeira. If they do, the Angels probably go to 4/$100 mil for Manny which saves the Yankees from getting him. If Tex re-signs with LA, Manny probably is a Yankee within the week.

ETA: Sorry to make everything a Yankees/Red Sox thing. I'm usually better than that.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Furcal close to a deal with the Dodgers according to Yahoo. Link

I wonder if this puts them out of the running on Manny. It's weird, but I kinda hope the Sox DO get Teixeira. If they do, the Angels probably go to 4/$100 mil for Manny which saves the Yankees from getting him. If Tex re-signs with LA, Manny probably is a Yankee within the week.

ETA: Sorry to make everything a Yankees/Red Sox thing. I'm usually better than that.

I don't think it puts the Dodgers out of the Manny sweepstakes, but signing Furcal will certainly make it less of a priority. If they don't sign Furcal, I can see them overpaying for Manny because they can't afford to have a lineup that doesn't have either Raffy or Manny from a performance (and public relations) standpoint. Your thoughts about Tex are kind of the flip side of mine - I hope the Angels sign Tex so they don't go after Manny and perhaps the Dodgers can get him on that 2-year deal they offered previously.

 

[Gadfly]

Signing Furcal has zero effect on the Dodgers signing Manny. All that matters is what other teams are willing to offer. If someone will go four years at over 20 mil a year, the Dodgers aren't going to match that. If the Dodgers can get him for like 3 years and 70 mil max, they will do it.

 

[Gr00vus]

L.A. Times reporting Furcal agrees to sign with the Dodgers:

Rafael Furcal agrees to new deal with Dodgers

A three-year, $30-million contract convinces the shortstop to stay, sources say. Atlanta says it thought it had an agreement with him.

By Dylan Hernandez

December 18, 2008

Seemingly on his way back to the Atlanta Braves, Rafael Furcal reversed course Wednesday and agreed to a three-year, $30-million contract to remain with the Dodgers.

Furcal will be paid $6.5 million next season, $8.5 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011, according to sources with knowledge of the situation who were granted anonymity because the deal was still being finalized. The contract includes a $12-million option for 2012 that vests if Furcal makes 600 plate appearances in 2011.

The 31-year-old shortstop will receive a deferred signing bonus of $3 million when the contract expires.

Furcal completed a three-year, $39-million deal with the Dodgers this year. He hit .293 in the three years and was often the Dodgers' best offensive player when healthy.

Furcal's agents, Paul Kinzer and Arm Tellem, wouldn't confirm the details of the contract, but Kinzer said of the negotiations with the Dodgers, "Things look pretty good."

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti declined to comment.

Furcal appeared Tuesday to be on the verge of signing with the Braves, with whom he broke into the majors in 2000.

The Braves offered Furcal a contract that was guaranteed for three years and included a vesting option for a fourth. The Dodgers' initial offer was guaranteed for two years and had a vesting option for a third.

The Dodgers were reluctant to guarantee the switch-hitting leadoff hitter more than two years because of concerns about his medical history. Furcal missed 4 1/2 months this year because of a bulging disk in his back that required surgery to repair. He also was hobbled by a sprained ankle for the entire 2007 season, during which he hit a career-low .270.

Kinzer acknowledged he told the Braves on Monday night they were the favorites to land his client but denied a deal was in place. The Braves evidently thought otherwise.

"I do know we reached an agreement with Rafael's representative on Monday night," Braves General Manager Frank Wren said in an interview with WIFN-FM in Macon, Ga.

Wren said he faxed Kinzer a term sheet at Kinzer's request.

"It was bound from our side," Wren said. "We had signed it."

But Kinzer told The Times on Tuesday he wanted to give the Dodgers a final chance to re-sign Furcal, something of which Wren said he was unaware.

The Dodgers improved their offer and Wren said that on Tuesday night, he received a call from Kinzer asking him if the Braves would improve theirs. Wren said they wouldn't.

"We had an agreement," Wren said he told Kinzer.

When WIFN talk show host Bill Shanks prefaced a question by saying that he knew Wren couldn't burn bridges with Kinzer and Tellem, Wren interjected, "That bridge is gone. I don't have to worry about burning it. The bridge is gone."

Kinzer's credibility became a question even for the Dodgers. According to team sources, Colletti was unsure of what to make of the apparent progress he was making in the negotiations.

In addition to upsetting the Braves, Kinzer recently said Oakland was Furcal's most likely landing spot, only to later turn down a guaranteed four-year offer from the Athletics.

Starting in spring training, Furcal insisted that he wanted to re-sign with the Dodgers. When the Dodgers were eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series, he said, "Really, I want to come back. I love it here. I love the city. I love my teammates."

Kinzer said several times this winter Furcal's preference was to stay with the Dodgers.

By re-signing Furcal, the Dodgers will retain their starting infield from the playoffs, which was an uncertainty at the start of the off-season. Third baseman Casey Blake was re-signed last week to a three-year contract worth $17.5 million.

As was the case when re-signing Blake, the Dodgers had to extend Furcal a longer offer than they would have liked.

Furcal went into the winter asking for a four-year deal, but to ensure his new contract is that long, he will have to play in 134 games in 2011, assuming he averages 4.5 plate appearances a game. Until he was limited to 36 games this year because of back problems, Furcal made at least 600 plate appearances in six consecutive seasons.

With their infield solidified, the Dodgers figure to turn their attention next to re-signing All-Star outfielder Manny Ramirez and adding pitchers to their starting rotation and bullpen.

Ross Newhan contributed to this report.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

 

[GroveDiesel]

As if the Braves didn't already have enough guys in their late 30s early 40s...

Furcal is 31

Sure, that's what his CURRENT birth certificate says anyway.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Schuerholz: Furcal's agents 'despicable'

ESPN.com news services

Updated: December 19, 2008, 2:06 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves aren't done complaining about the way they felt they were treated by the Wasserman Media Group, the firm representing shortstop Rafael Furcal.

They are, however, apparently done doing business with it.

Two days after Furcal, then a free agent, spurned an offer from the Braves to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers, team president John Schuerholz called the actions of Furcal's agents, Paul Kinzer and Arn Tellem, "despicable" and "disgusting" and said the franchise would never deal with the firm again, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Braves believed they had reached a three-year deal, with an option for a fourth year, with Furcal, and at Kinzer's request sent a term sheet for Furcal to sign on Monday.

But Furcal, who had been advised to sleep on the offer rather than accept it right away, did not sign the term sheet. Tuesday, Kinzer took it to the Dodgers and negotiated a three-year deal for Furcal to return to L.A., where he had spent the past three seasons. According to Tellem, one of the keys to the signing was that the Braves wanted Furcal to move from shortstop to second base.

On Thursday, Tellem, the lead agent for the Wasserman group, defended his and Kinzer's actions in a statement, noting that the Braves and Furcal did not have a signed deal and that the team knew Furcal was going to think it over.

Tellem said that while he understood the team's frustration over Furcal getting away, he and Kinzer "conducted ourselves with integrity and complied with all the rules of major league baseball throughout this process."

That hardly soothed the Braves.

"Having been in this business for 40-some years, I've never seen anybody treated like that," Schuerholz said in the Journal-Constitution. "The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company -- ever. I told Arn Tellem that we can't trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I've never seen any [agency] act in such a despicable manner.

"It was disgusting and unprofessional. We're a proud organization, and we won't allow ourselves to be treated that way," said Schuerholz, according to the report. "I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs, and we'll deal with the other hundred agents."

Schuerholz said he had spoken with Tellem on Wednesday night.

"I expressed my great disappointment to him," he said, according to the report. "I watched as [braves general manager Frank Wren] shared with me the circumstances of his negotiations with Furcal -- negotiations to the point where we increased our offer, and he [Kinzer] then asked for a signed term sheet to be sent over. We never got that signed term sheet faxed back to us, and we later found out why -- because they took that offer and shopped it."

On Thursday, Tellem said he hopes to negotiate for other players with Atlanta in the future. According to the Journal-Constitution, his firm currently represents Braves reliever Peter Moylan.

"We hope that once emotions have subsided, the Braves will act in a manner consistent with not only their obligations under the collective bargaining agreement and the National Labor Relations Act, but also the best interests of the franchise," Tellem said. "In short, we would not want this incident to color their better judgment."

 

[Pat Patriot]

Schuerholz: Furcal's agents 'despicable'ESPN.com news servicesUpdated: December 19, 2008, 2:06 PM ETThe Atlanta Braves aren't done complaining about the way they felt they were treated by the Wasserman Media Group, the firm representing shortstop Rafael Furcal.They are, however, apparently done doing business with it.Two days after Furcal, then a free agent, spurned an offer from the Braves to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers, team president John Schuerholz called the actions of Furcal's agents, Paul Kinzer and Arn Tellem, "despicable" and "disgusting" and said the franchise would never deal with the firm again, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.The Braves believed they had reached a three-year deal, with an option for a fourth year, with Furcal, and at Kinzer's request sent a term sheet for Furcal to sign on Monday.But Furcal, who had been advised to sleep on the offer rather than accept it right away, did not sign the term sheet. Tuesday, Kinzer took it to the Dodgers and negotiated a three-year deal for Furcal to return to L.A., where he had spent the past three seasons. According to Tellem, one of the keys to the signing was that the Braves wanted Furcal to move from shortstop to second base.On Thursday, Tellem, the lead agent for the Wasserman group, defended his and Kinzer's actions in a statement, noting that the Braves and Furcal did not have a signed deal and that the team knew Furcal was going to think it over.Tellem said that while he understood the team's frustration over Furcal getting away, he and Kinzer "conducted ourselves with integrity and complied with all the rules of major league baseball throughout this process."That hardly soothed the Braves."Having been in this business for 40-some years, I've never seen anybody treated like that," Schuerholz said in the Journal-Constitution. "The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company -- ever. I told Arn Tellem that we can't trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I've never seen any [agency] act in such a despicable manner."It was disgusting and unprofessional. We're a proud organization, and we won't allow ourselves to be treated that way," said Schuerholz, according to the report. "I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs, and we'll deal with the other hundred agents."Schuerholz said he had spoken with Tellem on Wednesday night."I expressed my great disappointment to him," he said, according to the report. "I watched as [braves general manager Frank Wren] shared with me the circumstances of his negotiations with Furcal -- negotiations to the point where we increased our offer, and he [Kinzer] then asked for a signed term sheet to be sent over. We never got that signed term sheet faxed back to us, and we later found out why -- because they took that offer and shopped it."On Thursday, Tellem said he hopes to negotiate for other players with Atlanta in the future. According to the Journal-Constitution, his firm currently represents Braves reliever Peter Moylan."We hope that once emotions have subsided, the Braves will act in a manner consistent with not only their obligations under the collective bargaining agreement and the National Labor Relations Act, but also the best interests of the franchise," Tellem said. "In short, we would not want this incident to color their better judgment."

Arn Tellum is one first class ##### bag.

 

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

You know, if this were anyone but Schuerholz, I wouldn't have much problem, but this guy is a class individual, I hate to hear him getting f'ed over.

On the other hand, I can very much take Furcal at face value here, if I can make the same money to play SS as 2b and I want to play SS, why not take the SS money?

 

[Pat Patriot]

You know, if this were anyone but Schuerholz, I wouldn't have much problem, but this guy is a class individual, I hate to hear him getting f'ed over. On the other hand, I can very much take Furcal at face value here, if I can make the same money to play SS as 2b and I want to play SS, why not take the SS money?

Except it sounds like the Braves made an offer to Furcal and Tellum said put it in writing with the insinuation that Furcal would except. Then Tellum takes the offer to another team. A pretty unethical approach for an agent to take but not uncommon.

 

[GroveDiesel]

You know, if this were anyone but Schuerholz, I wouldn't have much problem, but this guy is a class individual, I hate to hear him getting f'ed over. On the other hand, I can very much take Furcal at face value here, if I can make the same money to play SS as 2b and I want to play SS, why not take the SS money?

Except it sounds like the Braves made an offer to Furcal and Tellum said put it in writing with the insinuation that Furcal would except. Then Tellum takes the offer to another team. A pretty unethical approach for an agent to take but not uncommon.

They were absolutely free to do what they did. And the Braves can absolutely say that they have no interest in any player that uses them as their agent. The Braves are a classy organization that treats their players, agents and other teams with respect. If you're going to use them and screw them over, they'll just go somewhere else for their talent from now on. The Braves were bargaining in good faith. Kinzer and Tellum clearly were not. If they had told the Braves that they were going to shop their offer sheet around, no way would the Braves have sent it to them. It's not like the Dodgers even beat the offer, they just matched it. Frankly, I'm glad that Furcal isn't a Brave. He's injury prone and overated. I think they did the Braves a favor.