
Rafael Furcal, right, is sure in demand for someone who had a back injury and missed most of last season.
According to Yahoo! columnist Jeff Passan, the Dodgers’ shortstop the past three years has generated a bidding war, to the extent he is now seeking a four-year contract.
Furcal, 31, has drawn interest from the Athletics, Giants, Orioles, Braves, Cubs, Dodgers and the proverbial “mystery team” that agents so often like to stir the pot with — thus the increase from three years to four.
That will probably take the Dodgers out of the picture, according to mlb.com’s Ken Gurnick.
Meanwhile, the Athletics are apparently convinced Furcal is healthy and might be ready to help them overtake the Angels in the AL West.
He had a great start in 2008, hitting .366 on May 5 before he was shut down and had to undergo back surgery in July. Furcal returned to the Dodgers lineup in September, finished with a .357 mark in 36 games during the regular season (5 HRs, 16 RBIs) but had all eight of his stolen bases before the injury. Furcal then played in all eight Dodgers postseason games. That completed his three-year, $39 million free-agent deal with the Dodgers, with the sides expressing mutual interest in another hookup at the time.
When this guys healthy he is a hell of a SS, one of the best arms in the game, as a lead off man he always a threat……. key is when he’s healthy..he still has a long career ahead of him!!