Maybe Rafael Furcal has a future in politics, what with all his flip-flopping the last few days. But that would be years down the line and the Dodgers care only about the next three. And they got their man.
Furcal has chosen to stay in Los Angeles for a deal in the three-year, $30 million range with a vesting fourth year if he plays enough in year three of the deal. Atlanta Braves management thought they had a deal done Monday night, so they are acting like Furcal and his agent shot Rudolph and Dasher.
“When people deal with you in this manner, they lose credibility," Braves GM Frank Wren said Wednesday. "You don't forget these things."
When he was healthy, Furcal was a spark on top of the Dodgers batting order. He hit .357 last season with an on base percentage of .439. The problem was he played in just 36 games and has missed 150 games over the last two years. That’s why the Dodgers were hesitant at first to go for more than two more years, but apparently Ned Colletti has imported some miracle healing water from Lourdes.
Furcal sets the Dodger infield: James Loney at first, Blake DeWitt at second, Fucal at shortstop, Casey Blake at third base and Russell Martin behind the plate. Newly signed Mark Loretta provides some backup. Not a bad group.
Now, Colletti just needs to find a power-hitting outfielder, a couple of starting pitchers including a staff ace, and some bullpen help. How hard can that be?
