Rafael Furcal's negotiations are one for the books.
The Braves think they have a deal in principle for the free-agent shortstop. "A gentleman's agreement,'' is what one Braves person said. It's believed to be for $30 million over three years.
However, Furcal was said to be still talking to the Dodgers Tuesday evening, hours after the Braves suggested a deal was done with them. The Dodgers are believed to be interested in re-signing Furcal to a two-year deal with an option.
So to recap, Furcal rejected a four-year deal for about $40 million with the A's to talk to the Braves about a three year deal for $30 million with a vesting option (and according to the Braves, agree to that deal). And after allegedly wrapping things up with the Braves, he's believed to be talking to the Dodgers, mostly likely about a two-year deal with an option.
If he takes a two-year deal with the Dodgers, he will be the first player ever to reject a four-year deal to take a three-year deal for a similar annual salary only to reject that for a two-year deal for a similar salary. If this keeps up, the next stop would be a one-year deal.
This has been a tough one to call from the start. But the best guess now is that he sticks with the Braves. He has a home in Atlanta, and after all these negotiations, probably could use a rest.
Ariel Meredith
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Comments (13) Add A Comment
Come back to Atlanta.
jlowrance
Joplin , MO
Total Comments (2)
furcal will be good for atlanta but who is on their way outta town? escobar or kelly johnson?
maharrelson
Aberdeen , NC
Total Comments (1)
Neither. Put Johnson in left and Furcal at 2nd. I've always thought he was better from there anyway.
justme91975
Gainesville , GA
Total Comments (2)
Batting order:
1. R. Furcal, 2B
2. K. Johnson, LF
3. C. Jones, 3B
4. B. McCann, C
5. J. Francouer, RF
6. Y. Escobar, SS
7. C. Kotchman, 1B
8. J. Anderson/Jordan Shaffer, CF
9. Pitcher
Looks good to me...
justme91975
Gainesville , GA
Total Comments (2)
atlanta is still discussing ankiel and kelly johnson or mike gonzales in a trade scenario last time we heard around here
im not big on the idea for st louis
benstl
Saint Peters, MO
Total Comments (22)
I'm shocked to see how high the Braves are on Kelly Johnson... I'm not saying he's terrible, but if you have a Rafael Furcal in the fold and can swing a deal to get Ryan Ludwick from the Cardinals (like they were earlier in the offseason) for him without giving up much more than him and maybe a lesser prospect, the Braves should've jumped on that. You upgrade at 2B regardless (whether Furcal or Escobar ends up playing there) and severely upgrade LF. Also, if they're really that high on him at 2B, send Escobar (who would seem to be expendable) to the Pads as part of the Peavy deal.
Neither Escobar or Johnson are bad players, but there are significant upgrades to be had considering one of them is now expendable, and there are at least two trades (Peavy or Ludwick) that can be done with them, I just don't understand why they wouldn't do it. It seems essentially useless to keep all 3.
JL08
Manassas , VA
Total Comments (3)
2009 Lineup
2B - Furcal
SS - Escobar
3B - Jones
C - McCann
RF - Francoeur
LF - Johnson/Diaz
1B - Kotchman
CF - Blanco
P - Jurrjens
FutureBravesGM18
Woodstock , GA
Total Comments (1)
Johnson would likely hit second and Yunel down near the bottom of the order. Or put Chipper at cleanup and Johnson in the three hole.
dalger21
Reisterstown , MD
Total Comments (2)
Furcal: I could not be more happy to delcare that I am siging with the Atlanta Braves
Braves: Great! You will play 2B while Escobar plays SS and we will move Kelly
Furcal: Ahhh... one second, I need to make a call. Hello, Mr. Colletti... so I heard you are looking for a SS?
Yankee27
Castaic , CA
Total Comments (1080)
How bout Grienke and Guillen to Braves for Escobar, Francuer and two of top 10 prospects with one being a SP and other being OF.
jahunter
Lees Summit , MO
Total Comments (4)
Since the Cards signed Khalil Greene, they won't be trading an outfielder for a shortstop... Ankiel/Ludwick/Schumaker MIGHT get traded for starting pitching, but the bus has already left on the "Lud to the Braves" deal...
The Ol Goaler
Total Comments (4)
Bad move on Furcal. He's the past and is juggling with his former team to receive a better from the Dodgers. But if the Braves got Furcal, he would be an upgrade for the leadoff hitter. What Atlanta really needs is to sign a truly LF power hitter like Hollyday (why we didn't pick him?), and for that I will trade Johnson or Francouer by the end of 2009.
dhzlatar
Total Comments (26)
But that's not what Kelly Johnson is... he's a 2B. The Cards just lost Felipe Lopez, so they're looking for a 2B.
JL08
Manassas , VA
Total Comments (3)
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