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DLD (11/24/08): Report - Furcal to sign with A's

Oakland_20athletics_20mouse_20pad_tiny by athleticsBB4life on

It looks like the A's might get their man. A healthy Furcal would have a significant impact on the A's offense. Combined with Holliday, this is shaping up to be a great winter for our beloved Athletics. GET IT DONE BB!

According to the LA Times:

The free agent shortstop told El Caribe that he would return from his native Dominican Republic to the United States on Monday to sign a contract –- and judging by what he said, it sounds like he could be joining the Oakland Athletics.

Star-divide

Furcal revealed that he has been offered a four-year, $48-million contract by the A’s that includes incentives that could push its value to more than $50 million.

Furcal said he has also received a substantial offer from the New York Mets, who want him as a second baseman. "The offers made by the Athletics and the Mets of New York are tempting, but we’ll make a decision after I meet with my lawyer because there are various factors that we have to evaluate," he said. "But my general feeling is that every offer that’s been made is important, which is why we want to make a decision that’s well thought out."

4 recs | Comment 342 comments

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I'm lovin' it!

(please don’t sue me McDonalds)

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Nov 24, 2008 7:16 AM PST   0 recs

A few calculations

Marcel projected wOBA: .336. Let’s call that about league average, so he’s +0 as a hitter. Sean Smith puts him at +2 as a shortstop, so let’s say that he’s +0 as a fielder. He’s a good baserunner, let’s give him +5 for that. So, let’s say he’s +5 over a full season, and throw in 27.5 as a SS replacement level. Assuming he plays in 125 games, that’s 25 runs above replacement, or 2.5 wins.

Free agent going rate is about $4.8 MM per win, so his “true market value” is…$12 MM. Looks like a fair contract if he’s healthy enough for 125 games. The last two years might get ugly, though.

Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.

by salb918 on Nov 24, 2008 7:22 AM PST   0 recs

If he plays good D, hits league average, and runs the bases well...

I’d be happier than a pig at slop time.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Nov 24, 2008 7:31 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

I guess the other part of the equation is that

Furcal will take over for a guy who is projected as a replacement level SS. If Furcal is 2.5 WAR, then we’re getting all of that as upgrade.

Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.

by salb918 on Nov 24, 2008 7:34 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

There’s also the whole lack of prospect at position angle. We really don’t have anyone who looks like they’re going to be a solution at any level right now.

by MrIncognito on Nov 24, 2008 7:45 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

And you're forgetting to subtract Crosby's salary

Since I assume he’ll be moved. And if the A’s eat some of that salary, you don’t subtract it but consider the talent they get in exchange.

This is probably a win, but only if Furcal is healthy.

by thejd44 on Nov 24, 2008 10:28 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

This...

Totally made my morning. Hopefully I’ll soon hear that he HAS signed.

'Who's that guy we had to release last year because he robbed a bank?'- Billy Beane
Gio Gonzalez is my hero.

by Morgasm on Nov 24, 2008 7:35 AM PST   0 recs

Whoaaaa.

I didn’t think it would actually happen (assuming it does), after all AN’s speculation and 842730 Furcal posts. This is going to be a kRaZEe day around here.

by whiteshoes40 on Nov 24, 2008 7:51 AM PST   0 recs

what's the over under on Furcal posts today?

im going to say 7, counting this DLD

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Nov 24, 2008 7:59 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

add 1 to the total

i made one but deleted it within seconds (i forgot to refresh AN first).

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 24, 2008 8:28 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

AHHH!!!!

I won’t be around my computer at all today! The suspense is going to kill me!

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Nov 24, 2008 8:09 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

DROTM

Digit Request of the Month

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Nov 24, 2008 9:39 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

pickup line of the month

I would totally give my number to a guy who offered to call with A’s signing and trade news….

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Nov 24, 2008 12:12 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Darn.

Now I’m home.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Nov 24, 2008 1:46 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

I just got back, after being without internet all day.

Disappointed that it’s not official… but at least I didn’t miss all of the fun.

by whiteshoes40 on Nov 24, 2008 5:30 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Anyone know if Furcal is a Type A?

Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.

by salb918 on Nov 24, 2008 8:01 AM PST   0 recs

I've read he is a pretty mellow, even-keeled guy so I doubt it.

"You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy."

-Charles Manson

by kaweahkaweah on Nov 24, 2008 8:02 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

QOTM

If anyone feels like doing it, that is.

Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"

by Poppy on Nov 24, 2008 4:15 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

He is not

I think he was injured enough that he didn’t qualify.

by train80 on Nov 24, 2008 8:04 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

“Furcal is an unranked free agent, due to a lack of playing time, and will not cost his new team any compensatory draft picks.”
-metsblog

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Nov 24, 2008 8:04 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

He is not a Type A free agent...due in part to to his lost season last year.

The A’s will jot lose a pick for signing him…big part of the reason BB wants to sign him, besides the fact that Crosby sucks.

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Nov 24, 2008 8:05 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

$48m for a guy with a surgically repaired back at a skill position?

Billy must really hate Bobby Crosby.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Nov 24, 2008 8:10 AM PST   0 recs

i'm with you

I don’t see this as a good bet.

Beane's World!! Excellent!!! Rock On, Beane! Rock On, Geren!

by Satchmo22 on Nov 24, 2008 8:18 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Met Life of Omaha or
the Mets of New York

Beane's World!! Excellent!!! Rock On, Beane! Rock On, Geren!

by Satchmo22 on Nov 24, 2008 8:20 AM PST   0 recs

more furcal links

BBTF

Rafael Furcal told El Caribe that the A’s have offered him a four-year contract worth $48 million that could reach $50 million including incentives. It’s an interesting offer, as it gives Furcal the length he is desiring in a contract, but the guaranteed money is less in average annual value than the three-year, $39 million contract he played for with the Dodgers. Furcal also said that the New York Mets have offered him a contract. Reportedly, he is returning from the Dominican to weigh the offers with his agent.

Rotoworld:

Rafael Furcal said Sunday that the A’s have offered him a four-year, $48 million contract.
Furcal added that he’s also received an offer from the Mets to play second base and plans to meet with his agent to go over his options. Oakland was thought to be in rebuilding mode while stockpiling young talent, but signing Furcal on the heels of trading for Matt Holliday would signal that the A’s believe the AL West is winnable in 2009.
Source: El Caribe

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 24, 2008 8:23 AM PST   0 recs

el caribe translated
Santiago. The torpedo Rafael Furcal, who witnessed the game between Licey and Aguilas in the Cibao stadium, will travel today to the United States and it is expected that in the coming hours must sign with one of several teams who have claimed their services from the agency where freedom is inscribed.

The player himself told El Caribe that the Athletics are offering him a deal of 48 million and four years plus incentives that could round up 50 million.

 "The offer from the Athletics and the New York Mets looks tempting, but everything we decide then that I meet with my lawyer, because there are several factors that we have to evaluate, but in general all the offers that we are doing are important and we want to make a decision well thought out, "said Furcal.

Another team that offered an undisclosed bid for the player is that of the New York Mets, who got into the globe looking for the native of Loma de Cabrera play around with the Mets second cushion.

Other teams who have shown interest in acquiring the services of the Dominican Republic is that of the Dodgers, with whom he has just an exhausting four-year contract for more than fifty million dollars.

Similarly the San Francisco Giants is another of the sets that have been trying to free agency in the Dominican Republic.

the patrol craft is gone, but we may add… the torpedo!
what is the agency where freedom is inscribed?
i just hope this four-year contract isn’t exhausting…

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 24, 2008 9:30 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

"play around with the Mets second cushion."

and that sounds kind of kinky. Can we invite him to play around with the A’s small halt?

by Sliderule on Nov 24, 2008 9:53 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Better to play around with the Mets second cushion than the Mets second cousin

I’m just guessing anyway, based on what Mr. Met looks like and all.

"That's not a Sherman tank, it's Frank Thomas!" - Monkeyball

by JLeverenz on Nov 24, 2008 10:23 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

el torpedero =

torpedo boat.

so that’s even better, right?

BB should send scouts to watch cricket players.

by alea iacta est on Nov 24, 2008 10:44 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

actually

i think what i’m most excited about in that article is that the Spanish for outfielder is ‘jardinero’, or gardener. i did not know this.

i wonder if short stop is torpedero?

oh. i’ve just looked it up. yes it is

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=499435

still. happy days, huh

BB should send scouts to watch cricket players.

by alea iacta est on Nov 24, 2008 10:46 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

And chocolates = strickouts!

I learned that from watching an A’s game on the Spanish channel when Jack Cust came up to bat. The announcers said “El tiene ciento cincuenta chocolates!”
At first I thought they were trying to say he was fat.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Nov 24, 2008 10:50 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

seriously?

that’s brilliant.

BB should send scouts to watch cricket players.

by alea iacta est on Nov 24, 2008 10:52 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Yes, I found a Spanish Baseball Slang listing online and it was in there.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Nov 24, 2008 10:54 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

link?

i’d really like to see this.

thanks

BB should send scouts to watch cricket players.

by alea iacta est on Nov 24, 2008 10:59 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/schools/vocab_deporte.html

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Nov 24, 2008 11:10 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

ahahaha cuadrangular for home run is awesome

thanks for the link

Can't get enough of the Oakland A's or Golden State Warriors? Visit Oaktown Awesomer's and Golden Stat Hoops

by iamawesomer on Nov 24, 2008 11:15 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

I guess it's sorta like our "four-bagger"? :)

No prob!

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Nov 24, 2008 11:17 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

thanks

that’s brilliant.

Outfielder – Guardabosques

= woods guarder

ie – the one who stops the ball being lost in the trees.

how do i change my name on this thing?

BB should send scouts to watch cricket players.

by alea iacta est on Nov 24, 2008 11:34 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Cust = Forest Gump's Mom

“Life is like a box of chocolates”.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Nov 24, 2008 4:22 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

It depends on the quality of the outfielder

It could be mucho jar[s/of/]dinero depending on their OPS, speed, throwing arm, and ability to play CF.

by LowcountryJoe on Nov 24, 2008 10:57 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

In that old article on Cargo, I believe they referred to center field as the “central garden”. So you may have your answer there: “Gardener” is a bad translation of “Fielder”.

"All your baserunner are belong to Greg Smith" ~ walk off bunt

by Philip Christy on Nov 24, 2008 10:58 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

principe jardinero

to play first base?

BB should send scouts to watch cricket players.

by alea iacta est on Nov 24, 2008 11:00 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

in norwegian

a torpedo is a collector for a loan shark…

Ellis for President

by tosk on Nov 24, 2008 3:21 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Fucal playing his cards

  Don’t get to excited about this news. Fucal is using the A’s deal to spin more offers and higher pay. What we learned in the past is Sabean is stupid enough to overpay and offer him more. If the giants do then let him walk to pac bell.

by Arcman on Nov 24, 2008 8:37 AM PST   0 recs

Crosby's value just took a hit.

Any team in need of a (starting?) SS just got an opportunity to aqcuire one for a PTBNL. Maybe, realistically, only a bucket of batting practice baseballs, though. You thought that Crosby was a fragile player didn’t you? Shit, being tossed under the bus is sure to scare away potential suitors now; considering that I encountered peanut brittle that’s been more durable.

by LowcountryJoe on Nov 24, 2008 8:38 AM PST   0 recs

Who cares what we get back?

It’s addition by subtraction.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Nov 24, 2008 8:40 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

ugh no

he’s still an alternative to expensive FA SS’s as a 1 yr stop gap.

they’ll get something if they pay a chunk of that 5mill

by Asfan4ever723 on Nov 24, 2008 8:48 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

considering what the a's got back for kotsay and kendall

i’m hoping for more than that.

crosby + whatever spare parts / prospects it takes to make it happen —> a reliable #4-type staring pitcher

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 24, 2008 9:05 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

“reliable”

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 24, 2008 9:31 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

also “#4”

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 24, 2008 9:31 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

"staring pitcher"

I also have a pretty high shame threshold. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Nov 24, 2008 10:03 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

That's no #4 stare

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Nov 24, 2008 11:18 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

And wasn't even a #5 when with the Phils, Dodgers, and Rangers

I’m still waiting for Myers to pan out, grover, so that I can dredge up an old link. I still have not forgotten our disagreement from a couple of years back. I still want you to have a dish of that crow.

by LowcountryJoe on Nov 24, 2008 11:38 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Your disagreements with me may be memorable to you

But for me, it was just another Thursday.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Nov 24, 2008 5:34 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

lol

Save Rajai Davis

by oakinboston on Nov 24, 2008 6:41 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Interesting to look at the other side of the offer...

Seeing that the Mets also made Furcal an offer, I went to check out how that news is being received on Metsblog. Based on the first 100 or so comments on there, it looks like most of the commenters think it’s a bad deal for the Mets, and don’t want Furcal – mainly because they’re worried about his injury history (since they’re coming off a year where their 2B, Castillo, had injury problems) and are concerned that the team isn’t clearing up their pitching problems first.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Nov 24, 2008 9:09 AM PST   0 recs

I get the impression that the fans want Hudson

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Nov 24, 2008 9:19 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

it probably makes more sense for the mets to sign a top defensive 2B than to take a good SS and move him to 2B.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 24, 2008 9:33 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Agreed.

Who knows how Furcal will do at 2B?

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 24, 2008 10:17 AM PST to parent up   0 recs