Thread: Official Dodgers offseason thread.

Hey there! I heard you guys need a shortstop.

Interesting read on Ramon Troncoso

Hidden Gem: Ramon Troncoso | FanGraphs Baseball

Furcal is nearing a deal with the Dodgers

By Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports 15 minutes ago

More From Tim Brown

* Furcal might not be Atlanta-bound Dec 16, 2008
* Spurned Furcal suitors turn to Cabrera Dec 16, 2008

Yahoo! Sports

At the end of a couple of curious days, during which Rafael Furcal reportedly agreed to sign with the Atlanta Braves, then resumed negotiations with the Los Angeles Dodgers (depending on one’s perspective), the free-agent shortstop was nearing an agreement Wednesday morning to return to the Dodgers.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, talks between team owner Frank McCourt, general manager Ned Colletti and agent Arn Tellem progressed to the point both sides believed a deal would be struck.

The Dodgers’ offer had been at two years with an option for a third. They improved their original offer in the last 24 hours, according to a source, though it is unknown if they guaranteed the third year or increased the contract’s average annual value.

In Atlanta, Braves officials who were so optimistic they had acquired Furcal (who began his career in Atlanta) on Tuesday for three years and $30 million were resigned to perhaps losing the bidding to the Dodgers on Wednesday. They could, of course, re-enter negotiations with a counter offer.

Agent Paul Kinzer, who works with Tellem, had said Monday he expected Furcal to choose Tuesday between the Dodgers, Athletics, Royals and a fourth team, which turned out to be the Braves. Later Monday, he revealed to at least one of the other teams that Furcal had chosen the Braves, whose offer included a vesting fourth-year option. Clearly, the A’s (who bid the highest for Furcal) and Royals would have had to overwhelm Furcal in term or annual salary to have signed him.

Braves management, sources said Tuesday, believed they had a “gentlemen’s agreement” with Furcal, and that he would submit to a physical on Wednesday.

Braves media relations director Brad Hainje said the club would make no announcement regarding Furcal on Tuesday, did not know if one would come Wednesday, and that he could not confirm an agreement, formal or implied.

Meantime, Colletti said at 9 a.m. PT on Wednesday that the Dodgers were still in on Furcal, who after the season expressed a desire to return to the Dodgers, who whom he played the last three years at $13 million a year.

Furcal is nearing a deal with the Dodgers

By Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports 15 minutes ago


Yahoo! Sports

At the end of a couple of curious days, during which Rafael Furcal reportedly agreed to sign with the Atlanta Braves, then resumed negotiations with the Los Angeles Dodgers (depending on one’s perspective), the free-agent shortstop was nearing an agreement Wednesday morning to return to the Dodgers.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, talks between team owner Frank McCourt, general manager Ned Colletti and agent Arn Tellem progressed to the point both sides believed a deal would be struck.

The Dodgers’ offer had been at two years with an option for a third. They improved their original offer in the last 24 hours, according to a source, though it is unknown if they guaranteed the third year or increased the contract’s average annual value.

In Atlanta, Braves officials who were so optimistic they had acquired Furcal (who began his career in Atlanta) on Tuesday for three years and $30 million were resigned to perhaps losing the bidding to the Dodgers on Wednesday. They could, of course, re-enter negotiations with a counter offer.

Agent Paul Kinzer, who works with Tellem, had said Monday he expected Furcal to choose Tuesday between the Dodgers, Athletics, Royals and a fourth team, which turned out to be the Braves. Later Monday, he revealed to at least one of the other teams that Furcal had chosen the Braves, whose offer included a vesting fourth-year option. Clearly, the A’s (who bid the highest for Furcal) and Royals would have had to overwhelm Furcal in term or annual salary to have signed him.

Braves management, sources said Tuesday, believed they had a “gentlemen’s agreement” with Furcal, and that he would submit to a physical on Wednesday.

Braves media relations director Brad Hainje said the club would make no announcement regarding Furcal on Tuesday, did not know if one would come Wednesday, and that he could not confirm an agreement, formal or implied.

Meantime, Colletti said at 9 a.m. PT on Wednesday that the Dodgers were still in on Furcal, who after the season expressed a desire to return to the Dodgers, who whom he played the last three years at $13 million a year.

Oh, que la chingada

Originally Posted by The Natural

Oh, que la chingada

With every website desperately trying to break news first, it's surprising that things like this don't happen more often. After all, Tim Hudson to LA was a done deal a few years back! And LA did once have a 3 way trade to get Javier Vazquez with Penny going to AZ. Which brings me back to a favorite quote from Penny:

"It's pretty cool,I was drafted by the Diamondbacks and I wasn't in L.A. long enough to really be a Dodger. I had one start and then I got hurt. But I know a lot of guys over there and it looks like the Diamondbacks are moving in the right direction."

haha...If indeed the Dodgers do sign Furcal then the infield is set. Colletti stated earlier in the offseason that shoring up the infield was his biggest priority. With Furcal and Blake back, and Loretta becoming the utility guy, the Dodgers can now focus on Manny, a couple of pitchers and maybe bringing in Hoffman to show Broxton or Kuo a thing or two about closing...I'm becoming more optimistic if Furcal comes back.

Hoffman would be a good coach. Maddux, too.

BUT KEEP THEIR MOTHER****ING ASSES OUT OF THE PEN.

I'll tell you guys what, Broxton as our closer scares the crap out of me.