I have two thoughts about that.

First, Furcal is overvaluing himself big time. Secondly, wouldn’t Furcal be worth the extra $12 million?

I guess wanting and getting are two different things then.

I wouldn’t mind a guy who can hit for a little average. Undoubtedly OPS and all that stuff is better and a walk is as good as a single, etc… but it seems like it would sure be nice to have another .280 < hitter somewhere in the lineup.

Though I voted for revisiting Furcal. I think Furcal is the best upgrade we can make this offseason.

The Cubs are looking for a left-handed hitter. They’re looking at Adam Dunn and we know that they’re a little strapped for cash.

How does this sound?

Build a trade around Ryan Theriot and Jack Cust. This gives the Cubs what they want, a power-hitting left-handed bat. It gives the A’s an upgrade at SS. It also allows us to sign Dunn, possibly for less than it should take because the Cubs would be out of the running.

Also, Dunn could play 1B or DH, depending on how Barton’s spring goes.

Thoughts?

That guy is a head case. He always seems to be saying some negative thing or sulking around. I’d rather take a shot at Tejada.

Missing out on Furcal could be really lucky if he gets injured, but he has the potential to be the biggest difference maker on the free agent market for this year and next year since we have no replacement at SS.

probably a bit higher

though his market maybe limited since teams may not want to give up their 1st rd pick

the only teams 15th pick and later that may need a SS…dodgers, jays, twins

below: orioles, reds, tigers, maybe kc

Prediction: Beane will arrive late to the winter meetings and leave early

If i remember correctly it was before.

by the poll results so far. Why should trading crosby at any cost be our top priority? That’s basically saying “let’s get rid of our shortstop for basically nothing so that we can loose whatever leverage we have in obtaining a replacement for him” Seriously, why not wait to deal crosby until after we’ve found someone better to replace him? In addition, whoever we get for him will probably do nothing to fill the aforementioned holes the team has, so why rush into a trade? If beane dedicates his efforts at the winter meetings to finding a trade partner for crosby, i think he could be using that time to do something a little more useful. maybe those who voted can explain their reasoning, cuz im a little confused

Indians may be interested in Furcal

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    * Posted by:
      Jon Heyman
    * 06:00 PM ET 12.07
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LAS VEGAS — The Indians could be a new team in the mix for star free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, who recently rejected Oakland’s $36 million, four-year offer and will resume shopping for a new team.

Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer added that there are two other mystery teams in the mix, as well. The Braves had been thought to be a possibility if they traded incumbent shortstop Yunel Escobar first. The Dodgers would consider getting back into the mix, but they wanted to give Furcal two years, not four. The Cubs appear focused on a left-handed hitter right now.

Kinzer didn’t say what happened in Oakland, only that a couple problems arose. He said Furcal was serious about going to the A’s, pointing out that the player flew up for a tour.

OPS+ and games played last 3 years, 2006-2008:

Giambi: 148 (139), 108 (83), 128 (145)
Dunn: 114 (16), 136 (152), 129 (158)
Burrell: 122 (144), 127 (155), 125 (157)
Raul Ibanez: 125 (159), 121 (149), 124 (162)

For a stopgap 1b / DH, Ibanez should definitely be considered

Reds Trade Bailey For Dye?
By Tim Dierkes [December 7 at 7:46pm CST]

According to Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, a Major League source told him a Homer Bailey for Jermaine Dye trade “is done and will be announced this week.”

It’d essentially be six years of Bailey for one of Dye (plus possible draft pick compensation), as Dye has a mutual option for 2010 at $12MM. Those almost never get fully exercised – if one side wants it, the other doesn’t. It would be interesting to see what the White Sox could do with Bailey given their recent success developing young pitchers.

  Beane walks into the hotel lobby and is greated by some hand shakes from other GM’s because of the Furcal gate. Kinzer sees Beane and rushes over and says lets have a meeting and see if we can still work something out. Boras smiles and walks on by. JP comes by and ask about a loan. Many other GMs come by and want to talk about Anderson and Cahill. Giambi’s agent tells him big G wants to come back but needs a 3 year deal. Phone ringing again. Its Kinzer Furcal will come down to 48 million with player option on 5th year. Beane laughs.

  He looks like the ugly girl that nobody wants to take to the prom. Everyone is trying to give him away at AN.

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081207&content_id=3705185&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

Last week, the agent for free-agent lefty Randy Johnson said the A’s have expressed interest in his client, but Beane said after the Holliday trade that he doesn’t plan to bolster his young and largely inexperienced rotation through Major League free agency.

“If we bring someone in,” Beane said, “it’ll probably be on a Minor League, make-the-team-first deal.”

so you’re saying 2-3 more months of this! glad we have the niners, raiders, and warriors as great distractions to fill time

We could possible even steal Denker or something, not to mention getting Hardy.

  The A’s get Jake Peavy for HRod, Cunningham, Petit, and Anderson

We got the real prize this offseason – Jerome Williams. We should be celebrating.

we pay Tejada’s salary. The Astro’s pay BoCro’s.

that a free agent win added is worth about $4-5 million.
I think the A’s would be two wins better with Tejada replacing Crosby for an entire season.
Crosby makes $5 million this year. (Houston to pay)
Tejada makes $13 million this year. (Oakland to pay)
If that works out to a 2 win upgrade, it is the low end of market price. With the added advantage of no lost compensation picks, and possibly gaining one at the end of the year if Tejada leaves. That may be a slight possibility, but I think it is a zero possibility that Crosby is an A or B SS at the end of next year.
Plus there is the added benefit that Crosby KNOWS the A’s don’t want him, while Tejada would know the A’s wanted him back. I think there is an intangible upside.
I also think it would help attendance and team revenue.

you could include Landon Powell, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, etc. to complete it. or slightly adjust the dollars.