LOS ANGELES - The Cubs wanted Rafael Furcal the last time he was a free agent, but lost him to the Dodgers. Three years later, the Cubs still need a leadoff hitter. For that reason, major-league sources say, they again are strongly interested in Furcal.
The Cubs, who are in the process of being sold, would need approval from their prospective ownership groups before proceeding with a major expenditure, particularly in a down economy.Re-signing Ryan Dempster, a potential free agent, is the Cubs' immediate priority. The addition of a left-handed hitting outfielder also is on the team's wish list. Furcal would qualify as a luxury, but even though the Cubs led the National League in runs last season, they were 10th in on-base percentage at the leadoff spot.
The Cubs finally could drop Alfonso Soriano to a power-hitting position if they signed Furcal. They could trade shortstop Ryan Theriot, who finished sixth in the NL in batting average. And with Furcal, they would add a tough-minded competitor to a team that was swept by the Dodgers in the Division Series.
Furcal made three errors in one inning when the Dodgers were eliminated by the Phillies in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, but he is one of manager Joe Torre's favorites, a leader who excels in every aspect of his game.
The question is whether the Dodgers, who have been burned by several recent free-agent signings, will approach the market more cautiously in the past — particularly with a player who underwent surgery on his lower back last July.
The Dodgers must decide whether to re-sign outfielder Manny Ramirez, and will need to either re-sign right-hander Derek Lowe or find a replacement.
Furcal made a valiant return from his back surgery in late September, then tweaked his leg during Game 5. A major-league executive sent me a text message during the game, saying, "It's not only the leg, it's the back!" Still, Furcal is expected to be 100 percent by spring training.
The Cubs, despite their uncertain ownership, expect to maintain a payroll of at least $125 million next season, an increase from $118.3 million at the start of last season.
The re-signing of Dempster and addition of a left-handed hitting outfielder might be all they accomplish. But Furcal, just as he was three years ago, is an intriguing option.
Manny headed out of L.A.?
Rest assured, teams are interested in Ramirez. Their biggest concern is not money, but the length of contract that Ramirez will require as a free agent. Man-Ram clearly plays better when motivated. And he turns 37 next May.
One general manager told me that if he were in position to sign Ramirez, he would offer him a two-year deal for between $25 million and $30 million per season, with a vesting option for a third year.
Ramirez wants at least four years. Several clubs would love to jump into the bidding if the economy depresses his market — imagine Ramirez with the Blue Jays, the A's or (whoa) the Rays. The top players, though, figure to get their money.
Unlike Dodgers fans, baseball people remember why the Red Sox traded Ramirez, but all it takes is one owner to make a deal. Agent Scott Boras' sales pitch will go something like this:
Manny sells tickets and increases merchandise sales.No matter what they say publicly, the Mets and Yankees are certain to investigate the possibility of signing Ramirez as they prepare to open new ballparks.
The Phillies, who need to either re-sign Pat Burrell or find a comparable right-handed hitting replacement, would be another possible fit. Ramirez is close with manager Charlie Manuel, though it's difficult to imagine team president David Montgomery, a conservative type, donning dreadlocks at Ramirez's introductory news conference.
I can hear Boras now: What team wouldn't want Manny Ramirez? He's right; many teams will. The only question is which club will jump. And how high.
The M's GM search: A wrong turn?
Barring a sudden reversal, the Mariners are almost certain to hire a first-time general manager — a move that already is being debated in baseball circles, considering that the team is coming off a 101-loss season.
An executive has to start somewhere, and perhaps one of the M's finalists will be the game's next great GM. But the job, while attractive, will be difficult, requiring a likely teardown. Prior experience would help.
Unfortunately for the M's, the market is thin.
The Padres would not allow Kevin Towers to leave. Brian Cashman signed a contract extension with the Yankees. The Cubs' Jim Hendry and Brewers' Doug Melvin are expected to reach new long-term deals soon.
If the M's expand their search to include more seasoned executives, they could look at former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker, former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky and former Twins GM Terry Ryan. Of those, only Krivsky would have certain interest.
Even among unproven candidates, the M's were shut out on a number of fronts, either by those who declined interviews or were refused the chance by their current clubs. That list includes the Indians' Chris Antonetti, Tigers' Al Avila, White Sox's Rick Hahn, Red Sox's Jed Hoyer and A's David Forst.
Again, maybe the Mariners will find the next Theo Epstein or Andrew Friedman among the five candidates they have interviewed. But once they make their hire, M's fans will ask: "How is this person qualified to fix our sorry team?"
If the Mariners were hiring an experienced GM, they could provide a better answer.
The early days of the Flying Hawaiian
It's amazing that the Dodgers twice lost Shane Victorino in the Rule 5 draft — and twice were offered him back.
The first time, prior to the 2003 season, the Dodgers took back Victorino from the Padres. The second time, prior to the '05 season, they told the Phillies, "No, you keep him."
At the time, the Phillies didn't want Victorino in the majors, either — he showed five tools in spring training, former GM Ed Wade recalls, but not all at the same time.
Wade says the Phillies liked Victorino enough to keep him in their system, but they had to persuade him to accept an assignment to Class AAA rather than exercise his right to become a free agent.
As Wade recalls, manager Charlie Manuel and his staff liked Victorino, treated him well and communicated with him directly. And during that 2005 season, Victorino broke out at Class AAA.
The Dodgers, under then-GM Paul DePodesta, loved Victorino's speed and defensive ability, but never imagined he would hit consistently — and drive the ball with authority.
Mussina's choice
Friends of Yankees right-hander Mike Mussina are still convinced he will retire. One possible reason: Mussina fears that the Yankees will not be good enough next season for him to sufficiently chip away at the 30 victories he needs for 300.
Must-read:
- Kriegel: Phillies' belief finally vindicated
- Rosen: Suns too reliant on Nash again
Must-see:
- Phillies beat Rays to win World Series
- Fantasy Decision '08: Endorsements
View more videos >>
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: October 17, 2008
