A's look like front-runner for Furcal

2008-11-30T13:14:46-05:00

2008-11-26T10:15:32-05:00

2008-11-28T20:13:09-05:00

stl_fan_51

Bowling Green 619681

2 I think Edgar Renteria is bound for St. Louis. His agent said no matter what offer his client receives, he will swing back around to the Cardinals. Also note that Renteria'a agent also has Dave Duncan and Chris Duncan (both from the Cardinals) as clients. 3474446

Top free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal visited the A's on Tuesday, and it appears that Oakland is intent on spending money, improving its team and making a change at shortstop. The Giants, Cubs, incumbent Dodgers, plus the Braves (if they trade Yunel Escobar) are also said to be involved, as well as a "mystery'' team. Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, said by phone that he hasn't fielded a correct guess from any media member on said mystery team. I gave it a shot on Tuesday night, throwing out the Reds -- who appear to be in the mix on some surprising names -- but he said that was incorrect. It still looks like the A's are the favorite to land Furcal. Speaking about the entire process, Kinzer said, "Things are moving along.'' Former Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby's time may finally be up in Oakland after several injury-plagued years. Furcal himself had a back injury last year while playing for the Dodgers but returned at the end of the year and finished at .357 for the NL West champs. <div>Let's hope so. because this has been a slow-moving free-agent process, and the signing of the top shortstop on the market could at least break the logjam at that position. Orlando Cabrera (Dodgers, Tigers, others) and Edgar Renteria (Giants, Cardinals) may be waiting on Furcal. The Padres are also waiting for the smoke to clear to begin taking offers for Khalil Greene.</div> http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/100/64/thumb/Heyman_Jon.png 0 NY

Jon Heyman

New York 10084 26963