Royals Furcal to Braves - Page 2

Wilson8 · 12-16-2008, 08:06 AM

The Braves are on the verge of a major offseason upset.

Rafael Furcal is coming home.

In a stunning turnaround, the free-agent shortstop has chosen the Braves over the A's, according to a major-league source.

A contract agreement is expected to be announced Tuesday, conditional on Furcal passing a physical.

Furcal would play shortstop or second base for the Braves, depending upon which other moves the team makes.

"They're in deep," Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told FOXSports.com on Monday night, before a decision had been reached. "He's seriously considering it."

The A's are believed to have made the high offer for Furcal — four years in the $40 million range, according to major-league sources.

The Braves, however, made a late, rapid push for Furcal, and their offer was believed to be for three years with a vesting option for a fourth season.

Furcal, who owns homes in Atlanta and Los Angeles, preferred to rejoin the Braves or stay with the Dodgers, sources said.

One rival executive said Monday night, "He will do whatever he can not to go to Oakland," citing Furcal's preference to be with one of his prior teams.

Furcal, 31, left the Braves for the Dodgers after the 2005 season, signing a three-year, $39 million free-agent contract.

His return to Atlanta would give the Braves stunning flexibility in their middle infield, perhaps enabling them to revive their trade talks for Padres right-hander Jake Peavy.

Furcal could switch to second base, a position he has played in winter ball, if the Braves move Kelly Johnson to left field or trade Johnson for an outfielder or pitching help.

Or, Furcal could remain at shortstop if the Braves trade Yunel Escobar, either as part of a Peavy package or in a separate deal.

The availability of Peavy, however, is unclear.

"We are no longer actively pursuing any trade for Jake, which is not to say someone won't approach us," Padres president Sandy Alderson told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Monday.

"We said from the very beginning ... that we would not make a trade unless it made baseball sense."

The Braves began the offseason intent on landing two quality starting pitchers. They acquired right-hander Javier Vazquez from the White Sox but failed in attempts to land Peavy and sign free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett.

The addition of Furcal could lead the Braves to continue their pursuits of less prominent free-agent pitchers such as left-hander Randy Wolf and Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami. But it also would give them the option to explore bigger deals.

Kinzer said last week that the A's, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Royals were the four finalists for Furcal. The Blue Jays and Royals, however, fell out of the running because of economic reasons, according to major-league sources. The Dodgers apparently were not willing to offer Furcal more than two years.

Orlando Cabrera would become the top shortstop on the free-agent market if the Braves complete their deal with Furcal, becoming a prime candidate for the Dodgers.

Other options for the Dodgers would include re-signing Angel Berroa, a lesser free agent, or trading for the Pirates' Jack Wilson.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8...gn-with-Braves

triple · 12-16-2008, 10:44 AM

this indicates an escobar trade is coming i think

Demonpenz · 12-16-2008, 12:13 PM

Furcal's arm is below average anyways

**Kyle DeLexus** · 12-16-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triple

this indicates an escobar trade is coming i think

This. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Grienke going to the Braves now.

Sure-Oz · 12-16-2008, 05:17 PM

Well it looks like this deal is NOT done and he might go sign with the Dodgers....wtf is going on

Furcal Close To Deciding Between Braves, Dodgers
By Tim Dierkes [December 16 at 4:43pm CST]

4:43pm: Tim Brown explains that while some Braves people believed they had a deal with Furcal, Kinzer and Arn Tellem are still talking to the Dodgers. The Braves probably aren't terribly amused with the agents.

BWillie · 12-16-2008, 05:22 PM

Maybe we should have spent less money on Coco Crisp and Farnsworth so we could make a big offer to Furcal...

Sure-Oz · 12-16-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Maybe we should have spent less money on Coco Crisp and Farnsworth so we could make a big offer to Furcal...

He wanted to stay in Cali or go back to ATL, we were probably ****ed regardless of how much we offered

Simply Red · 12-16-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

Furcal's arm is below average anyways

Okay, what'd you say? I'm hoping I read that wrong... WTH?

Sure-Oz · 12-16-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

Okay, what'd you say? I'm hoping I read that wrong... WTH?

That's his schtick

MIAdragon · 12-16-2008, 07:51 PM

7:00pm: Matthew Leach is reporting that the Royals are no longer pursuing Furcal. Leach says the Royals were unable to fit Furcal's demands into the payroll. Dayton Moore added that if the Royals are to add a player at this point, the team "would have to subtract [someone] because of where [the Royals] are financially." We previously heard that the Royals were one of four teams Furcal was considering offers from.

kcxiv · 12-16-2008, 08:00 PM

Furcal has a way above average arm. Now its between the Dodgers and Braves. Should be itneresting.

MIAdragon · 12-16-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcxiv

Furcal has a way above average arm. Now its between the Dodgers and Braves. Should be itneresting.

Yes he has a plus plus arm.

Mecca · 12-16-2008, 08:20 PM

The Royals filled up their payroll with some bums, impressive.

googlegoogle · 12-16-2008, 08:50 PM

OVERRATED PUTZ

kcxiv · 12-16-2008, 10:39 PM

Then you dont know much about baseball. Furcal is a bad ass. Awesome fielder (outside of 1 play off game last year). Can hit for average, can steal a base. Great baserunner. He's just a smart baseball player. He's a plus for any team in the league.

Ebolapox · 12-16-2008, 10:41 PM

and this thread is wrong. it's apparently still up in the air between the dodgers and braves.

12-16-2008, 08:06 AM
Wilson8 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $2797557	Furcal to Braves The Braves are on the verge of a major offseason upset. Rafael Furcal is coming home. In a stunning turnaround, the free-agent shortstop has chosen the Braves over the A's, according to a major-league source. A contract agreement is expected to be announced Tuesday, conditional on Furcal passing a physical. Furcal would play shortstop or second base for the Braves, depending upon which other moves the team makes. "They're in deep," Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told FOXSports.com on Monday night, before a decision had been reached. "He's seriously considering it." The A's are believed to have made the high offer for Furcal — four years in the $40 million range, according to major-league sources. The Braves, however, made a late, rapid push for Furcal, and their offer was believed to be for three years with a vesting option for a fourth season. Furcal, who owns homes in Atlanta and Los Angeles, preferred to rejoin the Braves or stay with the Dodgers, sources said. One rival executive said Monday night, "He will do whatever he can not to go to Oakland," citing Furcal's preference to be with one of his prior teams. Furcal, 31, left the Braves for the Dodgers after the 2005 season, signing a three-year, $39 million free-agent contract. His return to Atlanta would give the Braves stunning flexibility in their middle infield, perhaps enabling them to revive their trade talks for Padres right-hander Jake Peavy. Furcal could switch to second base, a position he has played in winter ball, if the Braves move Kelly Johnson to left field or trade Johnson for an outfielder or pitching help. Or, Furcal could remain at shortstop if the Braves trade Yunel Escobar, either as part of a Peavy package or in a separate deal. The availability of Peavy, however, is unclear. "We are no longer actively pursuing any trade for Jake, which is not to say someone won't approach us," Padres president Sandy Alderson told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Monday. "We said from the very beginning ... that we would not make a trade unless it made baseball sense." The Braves began the offseason intent on landing two quality starting pitchers. They acquired right-hander Javier Vazquez from the White Sox but failed in attempts to land Peavy and sign free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett. The addition of Furcal could lead the Braves to continue their pursuits of less prominent free-agent pitchers such as left-hander Randy Wolf and Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami. But it also would give them the option to explore bigger deals. Kinzer said last week that the A's, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Royals were the four finalists for Furcal. The Blue Jays and Royals, however, fell out of the running because of economic reasons, according to major-league sources. The Dodgers apparently were not willing to offer Furcal more than two years. Orlando Cabrera would become the top shortstop on the free-agent market if the Braves complete their deal with Furcal, becoming a prime candidate for the Dodgers. Other options for the Dodgers would include re-signing Angel Berroa, a lesser free agent, or trading for the Pirates' Jack Wilson. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8...gn-with-Braves
Posts: 3,932

12-16-2008, 10:44 AM	#16
triple Stop saying &quot;This.&quot; Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	this indicates an escobar trade is coming i think __________________
Posts: 2,110

12-16-2008, 12:13 PM	#17
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $-493864	Furcal's arm is below average anyways __________________
Posts: 54,962

12-16-2008, 05:22 PM	#20
BWillie Are you ready to Rumble? Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $-1578759	Maybe we should have spent less money on Coco Crisp and Farnsworth so we could make a big offer to Furcal...
Posts: 53,084

12-16-2008, 07:51 PM	#24
MIAdragon Someone pass the antifreeze Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami (North Cuba) Casino cash: $-2322181	7:00pm: Matthew Leach is reporting that the Royals are no longer pursuing Furcal. Leach says the Royals were unable to fit Furcal's demands into the payroll. Dayton Moore added that if the Royals are to add a player at this point, the team "would have to subtract [someone] because of where [the Royals] are financially." We previously heard that the Royals were one of four teams Furcal was considering offers from.
Posts: 15,945

12-16-2008, 08:00 PM	#25
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	Furcal has a way above average arm. Now its between the Dodgers and Braves. Should be itneresting.
Posts: 29,111

12-16-2008, 08:20 PM	#27
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-802950	The Royals filled up their payroll with some bums, impressive.
Posts: 115,445

12-16-2008, 08:50 PM	#28
googlegoogle Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	OVERRATED PUTZ
Posts: 4,700

12-16-2008, 10:39 PM	#29
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	Then you dont know much about baseball. Furcal is a bad ass. Awesome fielder (outside of 1 play off game last year). Can hit for average, can steal a base. Great baserunner. He's just a smart baseball player. He's a plus for any team in the league.
Posts: 29,111

12-16-2008, 10:41 PM	#30
Ebolapox remember, remember Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: como Casino cash: $-1880097	and this thread is wrong. it's apparently still up in the air between the dodgers and braves.
Posts: 26,523