I just read this and it sounds like Beane is really trying to get the deal done. C’mon Furcal! Sign on the dotted line you bitch!

:)

I’m assuming that it’s now between Oakland and LA. Kansas City has been unable to move Guillen, and I don’t think Toronto was ever a legit contender for his services.

I hope this gets the ball rolling on our off season moves. I’m really excited to see how the team comes together.

Thinking that other team’s might jump in at this price?

I think this is a good deal for the A’s, and I don’t think it’s worth going any further (significantly) than this.

Then that can only mean he really hates the organization, I mean, no one else should be close.

to BB’s ears…

I am kind of getting sick and tired of this Furcal crap. Sure his talent could make us a better team but if reports are true and he really doesn’t want to be in Oakland well them “F” him,
I don’t want some guy who doesn’t want to play here.

in this economy… this could really come back to bite us

40 million for a guy with serious injury history is not exactly “buying on the dip,” which is the only thing we should be doing in this economy

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/topstories/index.ssf/2008/12/growing_anxiety_over_nj_afford.html

I understand that people take it personally that he doesn’t want to play for the A’s as much as the Dodgers. But to be foul mouthed about it seems over the top.

Fans constantly deride major leaguers for being solely driven by money. Well now here we are, confronted with a guy who clearly has considerations beyond money, and we say “fuck him what an entitled asshole?”

How do we know he is not being driven by family considerations or other legitimate personal reasons? To blindly assume this guy is an asshole seems unfair, and to be honest it makes me sad how angry some people seem to be about this.

when you could play in Las Angeles? Baseball is a sport only when the guys are on the field playing. Any other time it’s a business. You get paid, you show up, you do your job. It’s not like he’s going to show up and not play hard. We’re not talking about Manny Ramirez.

and it’s fine to prefer another organization to Oakland for any number of reasons. What irks me is the introduction of a fictional mystery team, naming the Blue Jays as suitors when they weren’t, saying “I want 4/40” and then saying “That’s not enough!” To me, the negotiations have been conducted, from Kinzer’s side, with a lack of integrity, and THAT bothers me more than the idea that Furcal actually has a first-choice that isn’t Oakland.

“unidentified source” BS, but I really get the feeling that this Kinzer guy is unethical and a snake. I guess that means he is good at his job, but hopefully Furcal can prove he will be good at his too..

As to whether or not the guy wants to live in Oakland, I get the feeling it has less to do with crime and punishment than with the fact that the A’s have an old stadium, a small fan base, and most of all (in my estimation) a notoriously stingy clubhouse—i.e., having to buy your own soda, no post-game booze (thank you very much, Esteban), etc. Now, I’m not saying that it’s a major consideration; the dude should be able to buy his own soda with his shiny new contract. But the A’s do have that reputation. Plus, someone already mentioned familiarity is likely a factor here. To the extent that Furcal’s apparent lack of desire to play in Oakland will play a factor in where he signs, I would think those 2 things matter more than the city’s quality of life.

But as for the signing itself, this is a whole lot of courtship, pomp, and circumstance for a guy who a) reportedly would rather play elsewhere and b) has a decent chance of helping the A’s break their record for DL uses for a second year in a row. The latter is great news for Pennington/Petit fans, but it gives me pause.

So c’mon, Furcal: either sign the contract so I can start dreading your eventual injury, or take the practically contemptuous offer from the Dodgers and get out of my hair already.

I think it’s a close call — our Billy won’t be overpaying by much if we get him.

If we have to put up with Crosby swinging and missing at strike three out of the zone and overthrowing first base for another season, I think we will all scream! NO MORE CROSBY! Giving Furcal a 4 year deal and then letting our shortstop of the future get ready and trading Furcal off in 2 years would be just fine.

Free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal will accept an offer from one of four teams by Tuesday, his agent, Paul Kinzer, said Monday afternoon.

—Per Tim Brown

This better not be a LOLKinzer. I just want this to be over.

He is mulling over offers from the A’s, Royals, Dodgers and…. the Mysterious Mystery Team!

Hate to say it.

If not, it seems to signal that he’ll follow the better money.

should have some of the current players calling and talking to Furcal. Other teams do that: have a popular player call a player they are courting a la Jeter and the Yankees…and the A’s should utilize that tactic a lot more.
PS Oakland does look pretty bad compared to other stadiums and areas. Yes, there are some nice areas of Oakland but less nice areas than LA offers. JMO