A mystery team has offered Furcal 3 yrs 39 million..hmmmm could it be the Reds??

[OnBaseMachine]

Jocketty said the reds had a brief conversation with Rafael Furcal's agent. But it didn't sound like that's going anywhere. "Some big market teams are interested in him."

Jocketty continues to look trade first.

"I think most clubs are that way," he said. "There's been a lot more trade to talk this time of year than usual."

Something's got to give eventually. The Reds have four outfielders on the roster -- Jay Bruce, Ryan Freel, Norris Hopper and Chris Dickerson. Freel, Hopper and Dickerson are coming off season-ending injuries.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...cincinnati.com

[Benihana]

Big market teams? Like who, the A's?

C'mon Walt, make something happen. Surprise us. As a city, we deserve it.

[RedlegJake]

Originally Posted by Benihana

Big market teams? Like who, the A's?

C'mon Walt, make something happen. Surprise us. As a city, we deserve it.

Not for Furcal for crying out loud. Not at that price.

[OnBaseMachine]

From Baseball Prospectus:

The Dodgers have ruled out the idea of re-signing shortstop Rafael Furcal because of concerns about the back surgery he had this year, making it that much more likely that he will land with either the Giants or Athletics, though the Reds are a potential dark horse.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ar...articleid=8332

[Homer Bailey]

I'm one of the few that supports a Furcal signing. It's a risk, but it gives the Reds a leadoff hitter, a solid defender at short, and a presence from both sides of the plate. If they could some how work out a Dye trade as well, I really like this lineup.


Dickerson CF
Furcal SS
Votto 1B
Dye LF
Bruce RF
Phillips 2B
Edwin 3B
Hanigan/Platoon C

[RedEye]

This today from MLBTR, citing Jon Heyman's remarks about a conversation he had with Kinzer, Furcal's agent:

Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, said by phone that he hasn't fielded a correct guess from any media member on said mystery team. I gave it a shot on Tuesday night, throwing out the Reds -- who appear to be in the mix on some surprising names -- but he said that was incorrect.

So... the Reds now appear to be a dark horse to be the dark horse for Furcal.

At any rate, though, the comment that WJ is "in the mix on some surprising names" could be a Pandora's box for those of us who love to speculate.

[Falls City Beer]

I'd say the odds are nil that Furcal becomes a Red.

[OnBaseMachine]

I'd love to know who those surprising names are.

[RedEye]

Yeah, I don't think these rumors have the legs that the Bedard talks had last year. Speaking of which... wow, I'm really glad Krivsky didn't make that deal in retrospect. Regardless, that was one heck of a thread we had going--a record-setting number of posts if I remember correctly (I know, I know, some weren't that happy about it).

[hippie07]

Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

I'd love to know who those surprising names are.

I know, I know... I just read that over on MLBTR and was hoping that there would be some speculators that would have some fun suggestions.

[Raisor]

293 .362 .420 .782 (2006-08)

Ok, it'd be an improvement over Gonzo/Kepp but for 11-million+?

[RedEye]

Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

I'd love to know who those surprising names are.

Sabathia, Teixeira and Lowe... oh my!

[hippie07]

Originally Posted by RedEye

Sabathia, Teixeira and Lowe... oh my!

haha ... I hope it's Lowe - that would be a nice addition for sure.

[Mario-Rijo]

Originally Posted by hippie07

I know, I know... I just read that over on MLBTR and was hoping that there would be some speculators that would have some fun suggestions.

Who would even we be surprised to hear them in on. I'm guessing it's not a starting pitcher but other than that most everyone is a possibility.

Manny - A surprise due to $$$'s if for no other reasons. But there would be many reasons this would be a surprise.

Dunn - A surprise to re-visit someone we dealt away and never showed much inclination to re-sign.

Burrell - A surprise because he represents all the reasons we dealt a better younger version away in the 1st place besides being a RH bat.

Tex - A surprise because he just doesn't fit due to his demands for a really long term (and expensive) contract, and the presence of both Votto and Alonso. However if you moved Votto to left and later dealt Alonso this could make alot of sense.

K-Rod - A true shocker however if you are gonna pay a ton of money for a closer why shouldn't he be one of the best arms in baseball. I doubt this happens which again is why it would be surprising.

My guess is Mark Texiera makes the most sense but would still be quite surprising.

[RedEye]

Weren't the Reds mentioned somewhere, somehow as a dark horse for Sabathia? That would define shocker-ness.