Concern for Rafael Furcal goes deeper than his current skid

They wait for Rafael Furcal, because really, what are the other choices?

The Dodgers need Furcal at the top of the order, getting on base, causing a little havoc, igniting a woeful offense. And playing some sterling shortstop.

Currently they are getting none of that. They have a hole in the leadoff spot. Since his return from the disabled list from a broken thumb on Sunday, he is 1-for-14 without a walk.

Furcal returned earlier than the Dodgers originally planned. They wanted him to get 25 to 30 at-bats in his rehab assignment before being activated.

But because he appeared to be playing well at Triple-A (.385), and -- no doubt more importantly -- Juan Uribe suddenly had to be added to the disabled list with a lower abdominal strain, Furcal was activated after just 16 rehab at-bats.

He hasn’t looked anything like the Furcal the Dodgers were counting on. That can be attributed to rushing his return, but in truth he wasn’t playing well before he broke his thumb. He hasn’t played up to form since missing most of last August with a lower back strain.

Furcal is currently hitting .150 with only one extra-base hit and one stolen base. The leadoff hitter has a .190 on-base percentage.

But he was off to a slow start before breaking his thumb (.192, .250) after hitting only .243 in the second half last season. His current struggles can’t be completely written off as just taking one for the team and returning too soon from injury.

Furcal is no kid, but he’s hardly ancient at 33. His replacement, Jamey Carroll, is 37. Carroll, of course, doesn’t have a history of back problems.

Furcal is the highest-paid Dodger ($13 million in 2011) and the Dodgers are clearly a better team when he is playing near his capabilities. He is in the last year of his contract and unlikely to reach the 600 plate appearances needed to kick in his option for next season.

Right now the Dodgers have two starting infielders on the DL (Casey Blake, Uribe). They are starting two infielders who are less than fully healthy (Aaron Miles, ribs; Carroll, finger).

They need Furcal. Only they need a productive Furcal, and it’s been awhile since he was seen.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Rafael Furcal. Credit: Brett Davis / US Presswire

Comments

[FormerLifelongDodgerFan]

a) Furcal is done, b) This franchise can't get anything right

[Robert]

LAD needs to move on without Furcal. Yes, he was great before but I think his back issues are worse and even though he is 33 his body is working like he is 38. Cut him loose and lets add a strong hitter/defense in July.

[West Coast Ram]

With a new owner we could get in the Reyes sweepstakes. Great defensive SS and fabulous leadoff man.

[waus]

"He is in the last year of his contract and unlikely to reach the 600 plate appearances needed to kick in his option for next season."

Colletti will see this as an opportunity to sign Furcal to a new $45 million three-year contract.

[HI Dodger Fan]

Before we give up on Furcal, let's give him a chance to get healthy. But at the same time, they need him to come clean whether his back is bothering him. We can't have another Broxton hide-the-injury scenario. Donnie or Conte has to get it straight from Rafael and he needs to be honest about it. That being said, where is Ivan, Jr.? This team needs him and needs him now. Come on Ned, look at how Sands, Guerra, etc., have worked out. Give Ivan a legitimate chance like you gave Sands a chance. Look what a month will do.

[Jose Offerman]

Miss me yet?

[Badlands]

If Furcal doesn't perform like a $13M player - then you need to insert a stable rookie or someone who can do the job. I feel bad for Raffy but he's not playing to his capabilities. Sad thing - we can't get rid of him due to his salary.

[Labeldude]

Stick a fork in him.
.
Who though other than Ned couldn't have predicted that signing Furcal to a three year $30 something mil contract was a bad idea for someone who throughout his entire Dodger career has been on and off the DL, never playing a full season? EVERYONE knew this was going to happen. Its like signing the Curacao Cow, Waddles Uribe knowing they're out of shape, Manny knowing about his PEDs, and Schmidt knowing he had a shoulder problem.
.
But hey, its Frank not spending $180+ million on these guys right?

[Fred "the Dorf' Dorfman]

If we had a real owner we could make a run at Mr Pujols this offseason, but that's not likely to happen.

[OldBrooklynFan]

I think they better give Blake more rehab time, I wouldn't want to see him come back like Furcal.

[Hollywood Dodger Mark]

As I predicted with Furcal. His return does more damage than good. His lack of ability to bat anywhere else in the line up and his poor defense always damages us. He is a selfish stupid hitter and always has been. Yes, he hustles. He cannot bat in the two hole. He cannot and will not move runner over. He is a streaky hitter that is neither fish nor fowl. Carroll right now is a much better ball player and lead off hitter. They can tell you over and over stuff about Furcal but its really because he is paid like a star player.
He will go back on the 'FACE SAVING" DL for his knee in a short while.

[TonyOJay]

Drop a nuke on Dodger Stadium and start all over.

[Jdubb]

Tell me something I don't know, pilot fish!

[StanL]

Furcal "rusty" as said on the Dodgers telecast?

I will state it again and keep saying it. The rehab in the minors is as worthless as tits on a bull. This is his rehab time and I think Furcal could of had it out the way two weeks ago instead of going to the minors and facing slug pitching. He is a veteran so what does game time experience have to do with it?

[bluz1st]

Ofer-man............NEVER

[bluz1st]

He has only played, what four games, since his return and Steve is already panicking here? Tad premature don't u think? We have so many players hovering around .230 or below I cannot count them all. His penchant for injury should be our biggest concern. This guy hit .300 just last season and now you (and many dodger fans) are all trying to imply he is done. RIDICULOUS.........

[GordieComeOnUp]

the choice they have is quite simple & obvious..........they are NOT going anywhere this year anyway, as it's a TOTALLY lost season already, & the sooner everyone accepts this & quits/eXits their respective staes of denial, the better off all will be in the long term......
so, the "future is now," & high time young AAA shortstop Gordon promoted to bigs, to see what he can do

[Joe Chorneau]

Dilbeck, you keep the pressure on. Keep on with stories on the players continuing fall, that's okay. It's real and it needs to be brought to light. If you are speaking to the true bloods of Dodger town, we need a complete account of these dark days, and not just from the perspective of upper management, but all the way down through the organization. But just keep a few things in mind: the players are clearly feeling the effects of the core rotting under their feet. And there is also the pr stories of dodgers.mlb that seem to undermine this evident truth. Because over there is a Furcals favorite pets and plays and movies, and we fans really don't care about that now. We want to see more bad news, just give us more and more, until this team gets sold. Then you can write stories about trumpets playing and the smell of the trees of their home towns and the good old days Vince Scully talks about. Okay?

[the ghost of octovio dotel]

Thanks, Ned, for signing him to a three year contract when it was evident he was injury prone and pretty much finished. Why does Neddie like handing out three year contracts so much?

Wonder what new way we'll find to lose a ballgame tonight. Hey, let's ask Scott Cousins to slide into Frank McCourt!