Furcal, Dodgers Bathe in the Sweet Blue Rain of Priorities Lost and Found

The eclectic compound of exceptional talent and fragility that constitute Rafael Furcal are back in the Dodger medicine chest - pending a physical (dun dun dunnnn) - with the Dodgers posting the news on their website.

The 31-year-old shortstop's contract reportedly pays "$7.5 million next season, $9.5 million in 2010 and $13 million in 2011 ... (and) includes a $13 million team option for 2012 with a $3 million buyout, and the option could become guaranteed depending on his performance." That means that the Dodger payroll for 2009 is only moderately affected by his renewal, and the piper really won't consider calling for a while. (Update: Ken Gurnick has the annual digits at "$6.5 million, $8.5 million and $12 million. The team option for 2012 is for $12 million, but vests with 600 plate appearances in 2011. There is a $3 million deferred signing bonus.")

There's a lot going on in terms of the he-said, he-said of the past two days, which I won't be getting into here (mostly out of personal lack of interest), but here are comments from Braves general manager Frank Wren that leave it unclear whether Furcal himself ever authorized his representation to give an offical yes to Atlanta.

"(Furcal agent Paul Kinzer) asked us to get the term sheet over. The reason we didn't get it over that night when we reached agreement on the terms is because he said, 'I just I just gotta make sure Raffy's OK with this. He said, 'As soon as I talk to Raffy I'll call you back.' And then he called me back at midnight saying he still hadn't just to give me a heads up so I could go to bed. He said, 'I haven't talked to Raffy yet.' I said, 'Well call me if you get him, and I'll do the term sheet and get it to him at that moment.' And he didn't call me back until the middle of the night and left a voicemail. So we got up, got the term sheet, and that's it."

Comments

[bhsportsguy]

1.  LATed -

In your best eye doctor voice.

Which is better?

Choice A - A Major League source confirmed Tuesday morning that Furcal and the Braves have tentatively agreed to the terms of a three-year contract that includes a vesting option for the 2012 season. From official Braves MLB site.

Choice B - A baseball official confirmed Wednesday that Furcal has reached agreement with the Dodgers on a three-year contract with a vesting option for a fourth year. It is believed the deal is pending the passing of a physical exam. The Associated Press is reporting the deal is for $33 million.

[silverwidow]

2.  Ned on KLAC 570 now.

[bhsportsguy]

3.  Ned says no deal in concrete yet at 5:39 PM PST.

[Sam DC]

4.  Well, but, what did the voicemail say? "We agree." or "Still haven't reached him." or . . .

[KG16]

5.  good gawd, this is turning into a law school contracts final exam question.

[Indiana Jon]

6.  I suppose I am the only one here unhappy with this signing. I have to admit, the money isn't as bad as it could have been though.

[silverwidow]

7.  3 He says that about everyone who is pending a physical.

[Jon Weisman]

8.  6 - It's funny, I've expressed misgivings about re-signing Furcal multiple times this week, and yet this isn't the first comment to suggest that everyone is for signing him.

[trainwreck]

9.  We still need to bring back Manny.

[Ken Noe]

10.  6 I have mixed feelings, would've preferred the two years and then on to Hu/DeJesus, but this is better than paying the same money to Orlando "Plan B" Cabrera.

[bhsportsguy]

11.  5 I tried to draft a question but got stuck after Party A goes to Party C to get their offer while Party's B written and signed offer sheet waits in their possession.

[El Lay Dave]

12.  6 There have been several comments opposed to this deal, or this kind of deal, for Furcal. I'm currently fence-sitting. It's probably for too many years, but it is back-ended to when McCourt gets the TV revenue where the sunk cost is more affordable to eat if that becomes necessary.

[El Lay Dave]

13.  7 That's what he MUST say, if case Furcal (or whoever) fails the physical.

[Brian Y]

14.  Dodgers.com has the contract at $30M with $6.5 in 2009, $8.5 in '10, and $12 in '11. I don't think it matters much but pointing it out. Even still, re-signing Furcal is much better than losing a pick for Cabrera.

[Bob Loblaw]

15.  I, too, have mixed feelings. I was really hoping for DeJesus to get a chance to win thejob from Hu in ST, but since Ned says that DeJesus isn't ready I guess 3 or 4 more years of Raffy are the next best thing.

This whole contract saga of Furcal's reminds me of a few years ago when it was initially reported that Tim Hudson was signed by the Dodgers before he was actually signed by the Braves.

Speaking of pitching, does anyone have an idea why the secondary pitching market hasn't shaped up since Sabathia & Burnett were reeled in by the Yanks?

[El Lay Dave]

16.  Gurnick's contract details are a little different than Leung's (quoted by Jon):

Gurnick:
Furcal receives salaries of $6.5 million, $8.5 million and $12 million. The team option for 2012 is for $12 million, but vests with 600 plate appearances in 2011. There is a $3 million deferred signing bonus.

[KG16]

17.  11 - it would make for a great "meeting of the minds" kind of essay. I could never, ever teach law school, especially now with some of the procedural stuff I've dealt with, I would kill someone on a civ pro final.

[KG16]

18.  13 - eh, the physical can be considered a condition precedent, that doesn't mean that you can't have an agreement already. saying nothing is concrete means that there's no wet ink on the bottom of the last page.

[bhsportsguy]

19.  17 That is why whoever does the calendaring for your law firm is the most important person at your office.

[bhsportsguy]

20.  Ned was is good spirits.

He confirmed that its pretty much Manny or nothing (in terms of any more position players)

I think regardless they still go after a pitcher or two.

[Tripon]

21.  Elton Brand dislocates his right shoulder in a 76's game tonight.

[KG16]

22.  19 - I do the calendaring in my office.

[Indiana Jon]

23.  8 10 12 I guess that is how I sounded. I think most of the misgivings about signing him have been injury related.

[bhsportsguy]

24.  16 Basically its at 3 year/30M deal with a vesting option (600 PA, 24 middle infielders had 600+ PA in 2008) for year 4.

[bhsportsguy]

25.  22 They should note that when they hand out the year end bonuses.

[El Lay Dave]

26.  So the high-end estimate sounds like 7.5/9.5/13/13 (assuming vesting), plus a bonus 3, or 4/46, an average of 11.5 / year. If the $3M buyout / bonus turns out to be redundant, that's 4/43, a 10.75 average.

I'd like to point out, esp. to D4P, that Furcal actually got a pay cut in free agency.

[bhsportsguy]

27.  26 Others who may get pay cuts:

Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Brad Penny

[tsundstrom]

28.  I really, really want us to re-sign Manny. His bat in the lineup seemed, although probably artificially but the perception was there nonetheless, to really improve the whole lineup. I think our younger guys can really thrive with a feared bat in the lineup...Martin, Furcal, Ethier, DeWitt, and Kemp can all relax a little bit and not feel like they have to single handedly turn a game around.

I am glad Furcal is back, too. I think the contract is reasonable and I'd rather have 120 games from Furcal than 162 from Orlando Cabrera or Jack Wilson. That was a nightmare waiting to happen...

Thomas

[Jacob Burch]

29.  24 Is it 600 PA in any of the years, or just the last two?

[El Lay Dave]

30.  24 Yes, but 2011 is Furcal's age 33 season. In the nine seasons of the 2000s, there have be only 30 600-PA seasons for middle infielders 33+. And twelve of those are Vizquel, Biggio and Kent.

http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/UjJ5

[jujibee]

31.  So, if this signing is true, that means the left side of our infield is locked in for the next three years, barring injury or complete falloff in production. That leaves Hu, Abreau, Dewitt and DeJesus among others potentially fighting for the 2nd base job and utility infielder (unless Ned keeps signing PVLs like Nomar and Loretta to fill this role) It appears we have some depth for the next few years. While I would've preferred a 1 year contract to Blake and shift Dewitt to 3rd and Dejesus to 2nd in 2010, that doesn't look like the current plan that Ned has set up. I think that if this signing is true, it almost certainly will lead to a trade of one or two of these guys. Hopefully, Ned doesn't package one of them up with Pierre to save the money he would otherwise have to eat.

[El Lay Dave]

32.  29 Gurnick wrote "... vests with 600 plate appearances in 2011."

Only Tellem, Kinzer, Ned, McCourt and maybe Furcal know for sure.

[Tripon]

33.  Diamond Lueng says its 3 year/30 million...

http://blogs.pe.com/prosports/mlb/dodgers/

[Sam DC]

34.  I'm just curious what Jennifer Aniston will have to say about this deal when she appears on Dodger Talk.

[bhsportsguy]

35.  Boston is paying $21 million to Lugo and Lowell in 2009 and 2010.

And they want to replace both of them now.

[Sam DC]

36.  Atlanta by six over Boston wiht 7:00 to go.

(Not suggesting they'll actually win.)

[Sam DC]

37.  1:30 later it's tied.

[ToyCannon]

38.  21
I guess that means he won't be traveling to LA for the New Year Eve game.

[Tripon]

39.  38 We think baseball contracts are out of whack, when in the NBA you can pay a guy like Elton Brand 82 million over 5 years.

[Sam DC]

40.  Is there any generally accepted explanation for what happened to Daniel Cabrera?

It was not long ago he was really good.

[trainwreck]

41.  40
Great stuff, but no control.

[Bob Timmermann]

42.  40
People explode.

It happens.

[Sam DC]

43.  I'm just curious 'cause I'm figuring him for Opening Day starter for the 2009 Washington Nationals.

[Tripon]

44.  Furcal, 31, will be paid $6.5 million next season, $8.5 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011. The contract includes a $12 million option for 2012 that vests if Furcal has 600 plate appearances in 2011. Furcal will receive a $3 million bonus when the contract expires.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-dodgers18-2008dec18,0,3565294.story

[Bluebleeder87]

45.  6 8

I'm not thrilled about the signing either but I hope he proves us wrong... I guess his bat (when healthy) more than makes up for his bad throws to 1st & a knack for making very costly errors in the most of critical moments.

But overall IF he is healthy I guess I'll like the move. From what I've read he is a GREAT club house guy as well so that doesn't hurt either.

[MC Safety]

46.  40 He'd probably win 25 games if Rick Peterson or Dave Duncan got a hold of him.

[Icaros]

47.  45

Just be happy we didn't give up our first-round pick for Cabrera.

[Bob Timmermann]

48.  I received a gift basket today from a friend that contained:
2 packages of regular English muffins
1 package of chocolate chip English muffins
1 package of cheddar cheese English muffins
1 loaf of English muffin bread (I have never seen such a thing before)
1 package of crumpets
plus one package of coffee and one small jar of preserves.

I'm having the crumpets for dinner tonight.

[Sam DC]

49.  600 seems like a lot of plate appearances . . .

[Icaros]

50.  I remember when I didn't hate Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

[El Lay Dave]

51.  49 See 30 .

[Bob Hendley]

52.  I was willing to go with the Manny/Hu pairing, as I really, really love his defense with Ivan Jr in the wings, as well as an option for moving the Solution back to 3rd at some point. But I like the Furcal signing first because of the bird in the hand angle, as we aren't certain to get Manny, and second because of the tied hands angle, those hands being Ned's. To me the cost of the contract needs to be viewed relative to the costs of the options (Wilson, Orlando, etc), both in terms of the contract, as well as costs in players or lost draft pick. Now I cross my fingers and knock on wood (which hurts).

[Sam DC]

53.  Thx, and sorry about that.

This seems to say that 11 ml shortstops had 600 PAs last year. http://tinyurl.com/4ubzma

Now Eric's gonna make me go check CFs I guess.

[Icaros]

54.  Ugh, no one ever misses a game-tying free throw against the Lakers.

[Big Game]

55.  Things I like about Rafael Furcal:

1) Removes a major excuse for Juan Pierre starting in the outfield and batting leadoff.

2) Watching him play shortstop. His arm is one of the best I've ever seen and his style of play is fun to watch. His slap bunt in the playoffs was a perfect example of this. His Erstad Factor is off the charts.

Things I dont like about Rafael Furcal:

1) His vertebrae is made of Lladro porcelain and the original rubber seals from a 1953 Hudson Hornet.

I'll take it. He's great fun to watch, a fantastic player, and hopefully healthy. I am pleased.

[jasonungar07]

56.  Now this means we have an extra leadoff man/8 hole hitter/4th OF that needs to be traded to make room for Manny.

[Bob Hendley]

57.  40 - I saw him pitch against Odalis, of all people, last year in DC. Great stuff, but lack of control was his undoing.

[Sam DC]

58.  53 Actually, 13 players last year.

[El Lay Dave]

59.  I would guess 600 PA represent roughly 140 games leading off, allowing for one 15-day DL trip and one other game off per month, roughly.

[Bob Timmermann]

60.  RIP, Sammy Baugh

[Jimmyv11]

61.  6. You are not the only one, im also excited about Furcal. While Im cautious about his health, I think that he is a good all round player with good character. Maybe im wrong about his character but to me he comes to the field ready to play and play hard daily. So I hope that he can really be a leader. Staying healthy is #1 to be our leader on the field but looking beyond that I believe in Furcal as a player to help this team contend and go far.

[El Lay Dave]

62.  58 Three were 33 or older: Jeter, Cabrera, Tejada.

[Icaros]

63.  When Ned sets his sights on a player who is actually good, I try not to argue.

[El Lay Dave]

64.  61 You misread 6 . He does not like the signing. What do you think Frank Wren thinks about Furcal's character? ;)

[Tripon]

65.  Hopefully, next time Furcal becomes an FA, he'll actually net the Dodgers some draft picks. =P

[kinbote]

66.  So, with Blake, Loretta, & Furcal signed, I suppose we can put an end to any "inactive offseason" talk. I will give Ned this: He usually gets his man. (Whether his man is worth getting is another matter altogether.) Thumbs up from me on this deal. It lessens the need to re-sign Manny. In fact, I'd be perfectly happy if we turned our full attention to pitching now. I think silverwidow posted this lineup earlier:

ss-Furcal
lf-Ethier
c-Martin
1b-Loney
rf-Kemp
3b-Blake
2b-DeWitt
cf-Jones

I think that might be good enough to win the NL West.

[scareduck]

67.  I can kinda see it. God knows if Hu will ever amount to anything, and Furcal, when healthy -- a BIG if -- is a plus player with actual leadoff ability. I just wish the Dodgers had a decent shortstop prospect so that this deal weren't necessary.

[bhsportsguy]

68.  66 Actually, I tend to downplay the Loretta deal but the Furcal deal pretty much makes the following possible:

Catchers (2): Martin, Ellis (or reasonable alternative)
Infield (6): Loney, Loretta, Furcal, Blake, (and then a battle between Abreau, Hu, DeWitt for 2 spots)
Outfield (5): Kemp, Ethier, Young, (and then some combo between Jones, Pierre, Ramirez)

And it is certainly possible that during April, if the 5th starter isn't needed that much, you can see all 6 outfielders if they sign Manny.

[bhsportsguy]

69.  67 I think they would make this deal even if they had a decent prospect unless his name was Alex Rodriquez.

A look a recent history shows the Dodgers what can happen if you lose the one player that couldn't afford to lose (Furcal) and when they lose both of their projected battlers for 3B (LaRoche and Garciaparra).

They thought they had Hu and Abreau ready in the wings but one couldn't hit enough to stay in the big leagues and the other couldn't stay healthy.

[Tripon]

70.  67 The Dodgers do. Ivan DeJesus Jr. is either the 2nd or 3rd best prospect the Dodgers have. He just needs another year in the minors to mature.

[bhsportsguy]

71.  70 I guess the point is, sure he is a prospect but the odds are better that he doesn't make it than that he does.

[ChicagoDodger]

72.  Anyone think there is a chance the Dodgers take a flyer on Ben Sheets?

I realize its a long shot, and they haven't even been rumored to be interested from what I have been able to read, but wouldn't 2 years $24 or $25 million be worth the risk?

He does have ties to LaSorda from the Olympics I believe.

Any thoughts?

And while were at it, wouldn't Randy Johnson make a decent 5th starter?

[Bumsrap]

73.  If this keeps Hu in the organization it could be a great signing. If Hu winds up being a hitter and his eyes stay healthy, the win of signing Furcal could be Hu. And, if Furcal stays healthy the Dodgers get a great leadoff hitter and greatly reduce the need for Manny. For me, adding Manny complicates life instead of making it simpler.

[trainwreck]

74.  72
I wish, but Ned said no.

[trainwreck]

75.  73
Why does it complicate things?

[Bumsrap]

76.  75 - Because one never knows when the other shoe will drop and waiting for it to drop complicates life.

[Xeifrank]

77.  I updated my WAR chart at DodgerSims with the signing of Furcal. The team tally has now moved up to 79.83 with perhaps Manny, a starting pitcher or two and some bullpen help waiting in the wings. With Manny, a league average starter and decent relief pitcher, I can see us hitting the 85 WAR mark. I gave Furcal a 70% playing time factor and it came out to 2.22 WAR, which is almost exactly $11Mil per year. So there is a little bit of an injury cushion built in to his contract, but not a whole lot.
vr, Xei

[Tripon]

78.  What shoe? Can't manny buy his own shoes if he forgot one at the airport?

[Ken Noe]

79.  78 Or threw it at Curt Schilling?

[Bumsrap]

80.  78 - No, he threw it at somebody and didn't get it back.

[Gen3Blue]

81.  I can't believe it, but I am relieved if Furcal is signed. As to Sheets I'm still shy of giving any money to injury prone pitchers. Even healthy pitchers I am loath to give more than 2 or 3 years. At this point I would rather build offense and use it to try to support the pitching talent that I think is in the organization. If Furcal is OK this year, it may be that Hu and Ivan become expendable. I still have some terror around Neds ability to get decent return in a trade, so I hope they are kept for depth.

[El Lay Dave]

82.  Tony Jackson reports in his blog the same contract terms that Gurnick and Hernandez report, but with the last (option) year at $13M. Seems like the 3/30 is gelling and with vesting either 4/42 or 4/43.

[Bob Timmermann]

83.  Rafael Furcal was quoted as saying "I really like the vest."

[silverwidow]

84.  The latest AP story has a new wrinkle:

Furcal can earn an extra $1M annually (including the option year) if he stays healthy.

That would bring the deal to 4/46. I don't know if the guaranteed $3M bonus is built into that or not.

[PDH5204]

85.  55 It was disc and not bone. Think of the disc(s) as jelly donuts, functioning as shock absorbers for the vertebrae/spine. Given his complaints and the early diagnosis of a sacroiliac joint dysfunction, seems that the problem was with the one disc at L5-S1. Assuming that there isn't much, if any, spine instability, and also no adhesion of the scar fiber to the nerve root, then he should be fine. The only thing that I would suggest is that he refrain from falling on his behind as that certainly won't help. Well, that and he is presumably strengthening the muscles in the area. Lastly, I otherwise don't know why some insist on labeling him a big or huge injury risk, since his games played by year is: 131, 79, 154, 156, 143, 154, 159, 138, 36. We all know about the 138 and the 36, but the 79 concerned a dislocated left shoulder [injured while attempting a steal of 2B]. He had injured the shoulder during winter ball, injured it again early in the year, with accompanying recommendation for post-season surgery, and then he took himself out for good in 2001 with that slide into 2B. Otherwise, it's a finger injury here and a sprained ankle there.

[Strike4]

86.  77
Is WAR the equivalent of expected wins? If so, it seems surprising that a full year of Manny and Blake, plus 113 games of Raffy would produce only 1 win more than 2008. I hope it's not that the rest of the team is expected to perform even worse than last year. And Lowe isn't that hard to replace, or is he?

[Marty]

87.  Just keep Repko away from him.

[LAT]

88.  You know there is now calendaring software that is tied to the CCP. You plug in the trial date and it backs out all the other dates, e.g. discovery cutoff, last day to file MSJ, jury fees, etc. Its not that expensive and some professional liab. carriers will give you a discount if you have it. No suprise blown deadlines are the most common form of malpractice.

[LAT]

89.  I predict Furcal will not be hitting lead-off after Aug of the final year of his new contract.

[Marty]

90.  Microsoft Court?

[MollyKnight]

91.  I guess I'm torn about this. When Raffy is being Raffy, he is an absolute joy to watch. But when Raffy is injured...

Still, I'd much rather give him the money on the chance that he'll be able to play to his abilities than give the money to Cabrera or Wilson.

Still! Here we are again, flirting with the OR like we tend to do. It's certainly given me pause.

[MollyKnight]

92.  Holy heck! Marcus Camby had 27 rebounds tonight!

[trainwreck]

93.  91
Oh, aRe they?

[blue22]

94.  91 - I'll take 110 games of Furcal and 50 games of Hu/DeJesus over 162 games of Wilson or Cabrera.

[LAT]

95.  89. By then Donny Basebal will be the de facto manager and to prove he is worthy of the crown will take the heat for demoting Furcal.

[LAT]

96.  I will be happy if Furcal moderates his base running. Although conventional wisdom dictates the lead-off hitter is supposed to steal, bad things happen to injury prone people when they are sliding into second or trying to break-up DPs.

[Tripon]

97.  95 Unless Torre extends his reign for one more year.

[LAT]

98.  90. I think there are a bunch of them. I'm sure Microsoft has one. Probably one for every state and the Virgin Islands too.

[silverwidow]

99.  84 I figure this how it breaks down:

Min. contract: 3 yrs/$30M (includes $3M signing bonus)

Max contract: 4 yrs/$46M (includes $3M signing bonus, $4M performance bonuses, and $12M option)

OK, that's enough about this subject for one day. :)

[Xeifrank]

100.  86. You are losing Lowe and his projected 2.55 WAR, 50 innings of Saito, 50 innings of HRless ball from Beimel. If I take last years final Dodger team stats, I get 84.74 wins. It looks like the team they build will be slightly above or below this number projection-wise for 2009 based upon who the remainder of their signings are. If Manny hits for the whole year like he did for the last 1-2 months for the Dodgers then yeah, the number would be higher, but you can't really project Manny to play like that over a whole season.
vr, Xei