Looks like Dodgers got Furcal

[ATL22]

LA Times reporting Dodgers have agreed in principle to a 3 year $40 million contract with free agent SS Rafael Furcal. If this turns out to be true, which I imagine it will, you guys just bought yourselves a great shortstop but way overpaid for him.

[Jake83]

LA Times reporting Dodgers have agreed in principle to a 3 year $40 million contract with free agent SS Rafael Furcal. If this turns out to be true, which I imagine it will, you guys just bought yourselves a great shortstop but way overpaid for him.


Return to glory we let you guys have your fun for 15 years

But the Dodgers like every great champion return from the dead

[ElCaminoSS]

Thats great news

[Big_Mac]

congrats on getting furcal guys, a have a question, what do you think will happen to izturis? will he shift over to another infield position or will he be traded. i dont follow the dodgers to much and im just curious.

[Elvis]

congrats on getting furcal guys, a have a question, what do you think will happen to izturis? will he shift over to another infield position or will he be traded. i dont follow the dodgers to much and im just curious.

It's anyone's guess, but Izzy's not due back until next June or July anyway because of his elbow surgery. Some have speculated his move to 2nd base and Kent's to 1st.

[Big_Mac]

It's anyone's guess, but Izzy's not due back until next June or July anyway because of his elbow surgery. Some have speculated his move to 2nd base and Kent's to 1st.

cool, thanks man

[mojorisin71]

I guess this means Oscar Robles and Willy Aybar will be playing 3rd base in 2005.

I also see either Izturis or Antonio Perez as trade bait on 7/31/06.

[ATL22]

Return to glory we let you guys have your fun for 15 years

But the Dodgers like every great champion return from the dead

The Dodgers may indeed be returning to contention but it won't be solely because of Furcal. He's a role player and a good one but he's not somebody that's going to carry the team. He had a terrific second half last year after an awful first half. I think a lot of Braves fans will be interested to see if the red hot, slick fielding Furcal of last summer was the real deal or just the product of a kick in the pants from his agent in a contract year. His defense was much improved pretty much all year last year after he had made a ton of errors every year prior to that. But his offense only kicked in after the All Star Break and that's the part I'm not sure was for real. Furcal will dazzle you at times and drive you crazy at others. He can slap down a bunt and beat it out but too often he thinks he's a power hitter and goes into two week slumps, which kills his OBP. I think Furcal will do well in LA but for what you're paying him, he'd better be a stinkin MVP candidate to earn that money!

[Jake83]

The Dodgers may indeed be returning to contention but it won't be solely because of Furcal. He's a role player and a good one but he's not somebody that's going to carry the team. He had a terrific second half last year after an awful first half. I think a lot of Braves fans will be interested to see if the red hot, slick fielding Furcal of last summer was the real deal or just the product of a kick in the pants from his agent in a contract year. His defense was much improved pretty much all year last year after he had made a ton of errors every year prior to that. But his offense only kicked in after the All Star Break and that's the part I'm not sure was for real. Furcal will dazzle you at times and drive you crazy at others. He can slap down a bunt and beat it out but too often he thinks he's a power hitter and goes into two week slumps, which kills his OBP. I think Furcal will do well in LA but for what you're paying him, he'd better be a stinkin MVP candidate to earn that money!


McCourt can have a 400 million or 4 million payroll it doesn't matter just as long as we win again

[Gagne#3 8]

I guess this means Oscar Robles and Willy Aybar will be playing 3rd base in 2005.

I also see either Izturis or Antonio Perez as trade bait on 7/31/06.


Why not Nomar at 3rd

[moebarguy]

At first I wanted the Mets to sign Furcal to play 2B, but then I realized that spending more than $8 mil per year on him was insane.

[Jake83]

Why not Nomar at 3rd


I doubt the Dodgers will sign Nomar. Colleti has said it wasn't worth the risk

[DownUnderDodger]

An interesting move to a team that does not yet have a manager??

[ElCaminoSS]

We do now, I have to agree with Jake83, I think this season will be a return to glory. (I may be biased)

[moebarguy]

Maybe a return to first place in the West...

[ElCaminoSS]

Ya Im gonna listen to a guy who like the Mets

[Jake83]

Maybe a return to first place in the West...



Return for first in the West for you and maybe we will knock you out in the NLCS like in 88

[moebarguy]

Ya Im gonna listen to a guy who like the Mets

Maybe you should, we Mets fans are very realistic people. We've got a much better team than you guys right now, but you don't see us calling out a return to glory.

Here's your return to glory:
C Dionar Navarro (pretty good prospect, but it will be his first full season)
1B Hee Seop Choi (bust)
2B Jeff Kent (won't get many RBI opportunities in this lineup)
SS Rafael Furcal ($13 mil per year...joke...a guy whose best OBP came his rookie year)
3B Willy Aybar/Oscar Robles/Antonio Perez/Joel Guzman (Guzman is a good prospect, but he won't get the call until mid-season)
LF Jose Cruz Jr./Jayson Werth (nothing here)
CF Milton Bradley (if he keeps his mouth shut, he could actually have a good year)
RF J.D. Drew (had a great contract year with the Braves, then went back to being an injured, wasted talent)

SP Brad Penny (good pitcher, but has yet to win more than 14 games in his career)
SP Derek Lowe (another bad investment)
SP Odalis Perez (pretty good pitcher)
SP Edwin Jackson (fluke)
SP D.J. Houlton (hopefully they will trade for another starting pitcher)

CL Eric Gagne (hope that he has recovered)
RP Yhency Brazoban (hopefully he can be more effective in this role than he was taking over as closer late last season)

[moebarguy]

Return for first in the West for you and maybe we will knock you out in the NLCS like in 88

Not with your team ya won't :-)

[Jake83]

Not with your team ya won't :-)



We lead the NL in attendance where were you.

[ElCaminoSS]

but you don't see us calling out a return to glory.
Thats because you have no glory to return to

[Jake83]

Thats because you have no glory to return to

One fluke world series and one that was given to them great Glory Mets. Contiune to be in the Yankee shadow

[mojorisin71]

We lead the NL in attendance where were you.

It means absolutely nothing. I'd take last place in attendance if it meant being World Series Champs again.

As a Dodger fan, I can't root against the guys on the field, but I'm not going to start buying 2006 playoff tickets either. It's one thing to be a fan of your team. It's another thing to proclaim them as the second coming of the 1927 Yankees. (Speaking of which, most Yankee fans have considered their team WS-worthy these last five years, and look where that got them). One player alone does not guarantee a WS, especially when our biggest needs have yet to be addressed.

How about we wait until the season begins to evaluate these players? The 2005 team looked good on paper as well.

[moebarguy]

We lead the NL in attendance where were you.

Coming to the game in the 4th inning and leaving in the 7th...

[moebarguy]

Thats because you have no glory to return to

I believe we were in the World Series in 2000...

[moebarguy]

One fluke world series and one that was given to them great Glory Mets. Contiune to be in the Yankee shadow

Every MLB team is in the Yankees shadow, especially when the Dodgers were in a real baseball town (Brooklyn)

[mojorisin71]

Thats because you have no glory to return to

Hmmm...before 1959, the Dodgers were in the same position.

[Jake83]

I believe we were in the World Series in 2000...


If being in a World Series is fullfilling for Met fans. But us Dodgers fans like wining World Series being in one is just another wasted season

[moebarguy]

It means absolutely nothing. I'd take last place in attendance if it meant being World Series Champs again.

As a Dodger fan, I can't root against the guys on the field, but I'm not going to start buying 2006 playoff tickets either. It's one thing to be a fan of your team. It's another thing to proclaim them as the second coming of the 1927 Yankees. (Speaking of which, most Yankee fans have considered their team WS-worthy these last five years, and look where that got them). One player alone does not guarantee a WS, especially when our biggest needs have yet to be addressed.

How about we wait until the season begins to evaluate these players? The 2005 team looked good on paper as well.

Well put. Even though the Yanks have an all-star at just about every position, they haven't won a world series since 2000...

[moebarguy]

If being in a World Series is fullfilling for Met fans. But us Dodgers fans like wining World Series being in one is just another wasted season


I think that making it to the World Series is every teams goal...Winning it is the next step

[mojorisin71]

Coming to the game in the 4th inning and leaving in the 7th...

I thought it was the 3rd...?

Anyway, I'd like to put an end to this exchange. If you want to bash on each other's teams or to talk about how great your team is as opposed to the other, do it in a private message. This is the very same reason I stopped posting at MLB.com.

Now, back to the Furcal signing ...

[Jake83]

I think that making it to the World Series is every teams goal...Winning it is the next step


Did it take you all day to fiure that out. You have to win you league championship to be in the World Series. But you shouldn;t be proud to just be in the World Series. Like I said just making it is a wasted season because winning the World Series is every teams goal

[Jake83]

Every MLB team is in the Yankees shadow, especially when the Dodgers were in a real baseball town (Brooklyn)


I have never felt the Dodgers being under the Yankee shadow. Real baseball town. Why did Both the Dodgers and Angels out perform the NY tams in attendance last year???

[moebarguy]

I thought it was the 3rd...?

Anyway, I'd like to put an end to this exchange. If you want to bash on each other's teams or to talk about how great your team is as opposed to the other, do it in a private message. This is the very same reason I stopped posting at MLB.com.

Now, back to the Furcal signing ...

You're right, I'm sorry.

[moebarguy]

I have never felt the Dodgers being under the Yankee shadow. Real baseball town. Why did Both the Dodgers and Angels out perform the NY tams in attendance last year???

People associate baseball with the Yankees, thus every team is in the Yankees shadow.

[Jake83]

I thought it was the 3rd...?

Anyway, I'd like to put an end to this exchange. If you want to bash on each other's teams or to talk about how great your team is as opposed to the other, do it in a private message. This is the very same reason I stopped posting at MLB.com.

Now, back to the Furcal signing ...


That is why I have tried to push for a thread in which posters can converstate in more of a hostile manner

[moebarguy]

Did it take you all day to fiure that out. You have to win you league championship to be in the World Series. But you shouldn;t be proud to just be in the World Series. Like I said just making it is a wasted season because winning the World Series is every teams goal

It's plenty to be proud of if you're a wild card team that makes it to the World Series.

[Jake83]

People associate baseball with the Yankees, thus every team is in the Yankees shadow.




Maybe on the East Coast

[mojorisin71]

I have never felt the Dodgers being under the Yankee shadow. Real baseball town. Why did Both the Dodgers and Angels out perform the NY tams in attendance last year???

Because it's the "cool" thing to do in Southern California. I've been to games at both Angel Stadium and Dodger Stadium, and it seems that people are just there to wave their cell phones like crazy and appear on the "kiss cam." It doesn't mean that they're there to watch the game. If you go to the Brooklyn Dodgers forum, you'll see how passionate and knowledgeable their fans were, and Ebbets Field was nowhere near the size of Dodger Stadium. Quality over quantity.

Now, let's go back to the Furcal signing.

[moebarguy]

Maybe on the East Coast

Try the world...

[mojorisin71]

That is why I have tried to push for a thread in which posters can converstate in more of a hostile manner

There's MLB.com, and if you want to limit yourself to Dodger talk, go to DodgerBlues.com.

[Jake83]

Because it's the "cool" thing to do in Southern California. I've been to games at both Angel Stadium and Dodger Stadium, and it seems that people are just there to wave their cell phones like crazy and appear on the "kiss cam." It doesn't mean that they're there to watch the game. If you go to the Brooklyn Dodgers forum, you'll see how passionate and knowledgeable their fans were, and Ebbets Field was nowhere near the size of Dodger Stadium. Quality over quantity.

Now, let's go back to the Furcal signing.


New York is the same way people attend games to be seen and their are also serious fans



What about Furcal at 3rd with Izzy at SS
Furcal has a rocket for an arm

[moebarguy]

I guess my point is that it's ridiculous to say that a soft-hitting SS is the answer for the Dodgers winning the World Series.

[mojorisin71]

Izturis is coming off Tommy John, and he won't be the same SS he was pre-injury. I'd consider moving him to 2B once Kent is gone and have Robles/Perez/Aybar at short for the time being.

[moebarguy]

New York is the same way people attend games to be seen and their are also serious fans



What about Furcal at 3rd with Izzy at SS
Furcal has a rocket for an arm

Furcal is an excellent SS, plus 3B tend to be bigger hitters. If the Dodgers could grab Nomar to play 3B, they would have themselves a very good IF.

[Jake83]

I guess my point is that it's ridiculous to say that a soft-hitting SS is the answer for the Dodgers winning the World Series.


It is a start. We haven;t had any real sucess since the 80's here in LA. For some reason alot of Dodger fans think things are changing

[Jake83]

Furcal is an excellent SS, plus 3B tend to be bigger hitters. If the Dodgers could grab Nomar to play 3B, they would have themselves a very good IF.


I have made my view on Nomar known. But Colletti thinks signing Nomar is a huge risk.

[Gagne#3 8]

I would like to see Aybar get a chance to play everyday he is a very exciting young player. Hopefully Laroche will be playing 3rd by the end of the season

[moebarguy]

There are rumors of Soriano to the Dodgers for a top pitching prospect...I think that signing Nomar is a risk that is worth taking. If he gets injured or doesn't play well, it would just be a one year contract, and Aybar/Perez could take over. Also, signing Nomar to a one year deal would pave the way for Guzman in two years.

[Jake83]

There are rumors of Soriano to the Dodgers for a top pitching prospect...I think that signing Nomar is a risk that is worth taking. If he gets injured or doesn't play well, it would just be a one year contract, and Aybar/Perez could take over. Also, signing Nomar to a one year deal would pave the way for Guzman in two years.


Guzman will be a 1st basmen or left fielder. Where would Soraino play??

[ElCaminoSS]

Hey mo Your having pretty weird mood swings here, you may want to go to sleep, Im guessing on your Mets Bed cover and pillow sheets? I think jakes idea for a bit more loose thread or whatever is a pretty cool idea, its just people may go overboard

[mojorisin71]

Hey mo Your having pretty weird mood swings here, you may want to go to sleep, Im guessing on your Mets Bed cover and pillow sheets? I think jakes idea for a bit more loose thread or whatever is a pretty cool idea, its just people may go overboard

I've already mentioned two sites for such kind of talk. BBF is about quality, not smack talk.

[ElCaminoSS]

Score!:clapping

[Elvis]

The Dodgers may indeed be returning to contention but it won't be solely because of Furcal. He's a role player and a good one but he's not somebody that's going to carry the team. He had a terrific second half last year after an awful first half. I think a lot of Braves fans will be interested to see if the red hot, slick fielding Furcal of last summer was the real deal or just the product of a kick in the pants from his agent in a contract year. His defense was much improved pretty much all year last year after he had made a ton of errors every year prior to that. But his offense only kicked in after the All Star Break and that's the part I'm not sure was for real. Furcal will dazzle you at times and drive you crazy at others. He can slap down a bunt and beat it out but too often he thinks he's a power hitter and goes into two week slumps, which kills his OBP. I think Furcal will do well in LA but for what you're paying him, he'd better be a stinkin MVP candidate to earn that money!

And he sure earned every penny - another red-hot MVP second half. :clapping

[iPod]

Furcal recovered from a lousy start to have a good season, but he wasn't $13,000,000 good. He's, at best, the fourth best shortstop in the NL this year, behind Reyes, Bill Hall, and Hanley Ramirez... depending on how you feel about Edgar Renteria and Jimmy Rollins.

[ColtscorrAL]

LA Times reporting Dodgers have agreed in principle to a 3 year $40 million contract with free agent SS Rafael Furcal. If this turns out to be true, which I imagine it will, you guys just bought yourselves a great shortstop but way overpaid for him.Please name me a ML player that isn't over paid. Even the MLB minimum is a joke. A joke that's reflected in the ridiculous ticket prices, the cost of food, parking and souviners.

[Raffy15]

Whats wrong with you guys??!!Rafael furcal took your team to the playoffs and was the dodgers mvp!!Not nomar,not saito,not kent!!!Furcal.Raffy scored 100+ runs again for the sixth time in his career and hit 300.What else do you guys want out of a leadoff hitter?You want hanley ramirez who strikes out 130 times per year?You want rollins whos obp this year was 334?!You want david eckstein who has no power whatsoever?

Or do you want furcal who has pop,speed,arm stength,bunting ability,and draws aton of walks?Rafael is one of the top leadoff hitters in the game.Better than damon,brian roberts,rollins,ramirez,eckstein,sizemore,and as good or better than reyes.

I laugh at you guys for not realizing that you are watching a future hall of famer in his salad days.

[Dodgerfan1]

Whats wrong with you guys??!!Rafael furcal took your team to the playoffs and was the dodgers mvp!!Not nomar,not saito,not kent!!!Furcal.Raffy scored 100+ runs again for the sixth time in his career and hit 300.What else do you guys want out of a leadoff hitter?You want hanley ramirez who strikes out 130 times per year?You want rollins whos obp this year was 334?!You want david eckstein who has no power whatsoever?

Or do you want furcal who has pop,speed,arm stength,bunting ability,and draws aton of walks?Rafael is one of the top leadoff hitters in the game.Better than damon,brian roberts,rollins,ramirez,eckstein,sizemore,and as good or better than reyes.

I laugh at you guys for not realizing that you are watching a future hall of famer in his salad days.

Why don't you admit it, guys? What were we THINKING of? They're laughing at us now! How could we possibly have thought we made the playoffs as a team, when we have just been informed, in no uncertain terms, that it was FURCAL who got us there! Not Nomar, not Kent, not any of the young players who had nice rookie outings... it was RAFFY all along!

Dodger fans, rejoice! We have the best shortstop who ever lived. How do I know? Raffy says so, that's how. Now, aren't you glad we overpaid him?

[Raffy15]

Dodger fan.I live in atlanta,georgia.I have seen raffy play all the time at turner field.I watched him everyday for 5 years.Furcal is a gamer who hates to miss even 1 game.Who was there for the dodgers when things were rough?Furcal.Who turned it up in the second half when everyone else was cooling down?Furcal.Raffy plays best when it matters most and he was 60% of the reason the dodgers made the playoffs.

I hate to say it buddy,but your teams pitchers weren't exactly consistent through the whole year and neither were the rookies.Nomar was abysmal in the 2nd half when the season matters most!Raffy rises up and plays great in the 2nd half when the season is on the line!!Raffy will be a top 15 shortstop of all time by the time his career is done.

[Dodgerfan1]

Dodger fan.I live in atlanta,georgia.I have seen raffy play all the time at turner field.I watched him everyday for 5 years.Furcal is a gamer who hates to miss even 1 game.Who was there for the dodgers when things were rough?Furcal.Who turned it up in the second half when everyone else was cooling down?Furcal.Raffy plays best when it matters most and he was 60% of the reason the dodgers made the playoffs.

I hate to say it buddy,but your teams pitchers weren't exactly consistent through the whole year and neither were the rookies.Nomar was abysmal in the 2nd half when the season matters most!Raffy rises up and plays great in the 2nd half when the season is on the line!!Raffy will be a top 15 shortstop of all time by the time his career is done.

Don't mind me, Raffy. I'm just having some fun with you. :rolleyes:

[Raffy15]

^Okay... So you do think furcal is a great ss and lead off hitter?

[Dodgerfan1]

^Okay... So you do think furcal is a great ss and lead off hitter?

Yes, I do. I may not be as high on him as you are, but he is among the best today.

[Raffy15]

Oh, okay.I had it all wrong.I thought you despised furcal and wished the dodgers never shelled out the money for him.Don't you think it is ironic that he has made the playoffs every year as a major leaguer?He also has a rocket for an arm.I have gone to about 25 braves games and i'm only 14.Want to know why i have gone to so many games?Furcal.He is worth the price of admission alone.

If you have not seen furcal play in person you don't know what your missing.Please go see him play if you have not already.Furcal is the most exciting player in the game.Not jose reyes.Furcal.I have seen reyes play and he is not quite as fast as furcal.

[TomtheTerrific]

I agree,furcal was the mvp of the dodgers.