Furcal-Free Agent in the Cards?

by VolsnCards5 on May 2, 2008 12:24 PM EDT Comment 20 comments

MLB Traderumors.com pointed out that Rafeal Furcal would be a free agent this offseason. The website seems to think that Furcal will get 5 years and 75 million dollars. He lists the Cardinals as a team that might take a look at the shortstop if he hits the open market(apparently the dodgers are interested in extending him).

I think the Cardinals have to at least take a look at Furcal. I realize that is a ton of money to a 31 year old, but he would satisfy a few needs for the Cardinals.

Leadoff hitter: Granted, Skip has done a solid job this year, but can you imagine Furcal's speed at the top of the lineup? If LaRussa ever did decide to actually run a little, Furcal could bring a new element to this lineup. This would also allow Rasmus to bat #2 or even down in the order so all of the pressure of the leadoff spot won't be on our young outfielder.

Quality shortstop: Furcal is a plus defender with a huge arm. Defense up the middle is key to Cardinals pitching success, with LaDuncan preaching pitching to contact

The Bridge to Kozmaville: Pete Kozma has been playing lights out in A- ball, but he is at least 3 years away, probably more like 4-5. Signing Furcal would bridge the gap so we don't have to sign one year stopgaps like Izturis over the next few years.

Furcal is going to want a max contract, so he could very well be priced out of the Cardinals range. But I think that we have to take a look at him this offseason if he is available. He would just serve so many purposes for a team that has a real legit chance of being good next year if everyone progresses as expected(Rasmus, Perez, Motte) and gets healthy(Carpenter).

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31 years old?

man it seems like just yesterday he was a prospect coming up through the minors.

If the Cards are in contention at the break and the Dodgers are shopping him I’d give just about anything for him (minus Rasmus), especially if he’s expressed interest in the Cardinals because that would mean an extension is possible.

Proud President of the Unofficial Skip Schumaker Fan Club!
(now accepting applications)

by stltrav09 on May 2, 2008 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think I remember him being one of the guys who aged four years in a day fwiw

"You say the world has lost it's love. I say embrace what it's made of" - Dar Williams

by Valatan on May 2, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ditto, Valatan

he’s an ‘old’ 31{a’la Andruw Jones)... if he even IS 31 {a’la Tejada}
Injury prone at this point. I also have attitude questions: Furcal and Jones were two of the biggest headaches Bobby Cox ever had. (not counting Marquis)

by the Tewk on May 4, 2008 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kozma

4-5 away? That seems terrible for a first round pick.

by paposse on May 2, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

in Mo's chat today

he said he’s probably going to be promoted (presumably to Palm Beach) fairly soon. He’s old for a high school pick, but he’s still a high school pick; it’d be a bit optimistic to expect him to contribute before late ‘10 or ‘11.

But, who knows? He could end this season at AA if he keeps hitting like he has been.

And I awoke in California, far far from Spancilhill...

by SleepyCA on May 2, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Furcal went for a short contract last time...

....so that he could still have a chance to cash in again in Free Agency. Strategy worked to a tee. Maybe he won’t do that this time around since he is getting older, but maybe he thinks he could get another nice deal at 34. Maybe he’d go for something like a 3 year 50 million dollar deal, and then once he’s gone it’s Kozma time….It would be pretty sweet if it worked out…not that I am betting on it.

by moser34 on May 2, 2008 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone have a link to the chat with Mo?

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on May 2, 2008 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i would be shocked

if 3 years wasn’t the longest we would have to wait for him. Forgive me, Kozma makes me giddy.

"He was trying to hit a three run homer with the bases empty. To my knowledge, no one in the history of the game has ever done that. But it could happen someday. You never know in this world of baseball." The Moonman

by mattyfrommo on May 2, 2008 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Orlando Hudson?

While I do think Furcal would be a great addition, I don’t see the Cardinals making that contract offer; if I’m wrong, I’d be fine with that, because I’ve always been a fan of Raphael Furcal. I do agree that MI is and should be our first priority going into this offseason. While I do think Jarrett Hoff might be a good player, part of me thinks he’ll fare as a Grudzielanik type in the end. I’d kind of like to take a shot at O. Hudson this offseason. I think he’s more manageable at a 3/4 year contract and won’t need 15M per. He could fit into the 1 or 2 slot in my opinion, with Rasmus filling the other, and Ryan/Hoff for 1-2 years isn’t that bad, especially if Kozma is climbing as quickly as Mo and the rest of us would like. Thoughts?

by timmycardinals on May 2, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I LOVE Hudson

great personality and attitude too.

by the Tewk on May 4, 2008 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hudson would be a much better fit than Furcal, imo.

Rasmus or bust.

by Zoop on May 6, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No thanks

That contract price is absurd. If he can pull a Kyle Lohse on us, then yeah, let’s get him. But now way for that amount at his age. Hanley Ramirez, yes. Furcal, no thanks.

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on May 2, 2008 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Kozma was the real deal..

Couldn’t he be in AA as soon next year, AAA the next, and in the majors in 2011?

Of course that’s a big if. Personally I think Furcal will be totally overpaid. It’s going to be all downhill after this year and he’s an injury risk IMO.

by TheBirds on May 2, 2008 4:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Injury risk being basically based on age.

by TheBirds on May 2, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea

basically what all of you are saying is what i was trying to point out with the post…cards half to at least look at him, even if we don’t have a shot to actually get him…i don’t think the dodgers will be looking to deal him this year unless they really going down the toilet…which i don’t think will happen

is orlando cabrera gonna be a free agent?

i’d be ok with hudson, but if you think furcal is gonna get over paid, it’ll be nothing compared to how much o-dog gets overpaid..not saying he will get as much as furcal, but he will be more overpaid

assuming rasmus is an opening day regular in ‘09, then it took him 4 years to get to the bigs….so 4-5 years isn’t too much for kozma imho

by VolsnCards5 on May 2, 2008 5:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs