Furcal Agrees to Become a Dodger

Free agent Rafael Furcal has agreed in principle to a three-year deal with the Dodgers that would make him one of the highest-paid shortstops ever, a source close to the negotiations said Saturday. The deal would guarantee Furcal, 28, nearly $40 million.

He is expected to take a physical in the next day or so. Furcal’s agent, Paul Kinzer, said he couldn’t confirm until today that the deal was completed.

Furcal, who has played his entire six-year career with the Atlanta Braves, is a fleet switch-hitter with excellent range and a strong arm. He has a .284 lifetime batting average and last season had 46 stolen bases, 31 doubles, 11 triples and 12 home runs.

Furcal selected the Dodgers over the Braves and the Chicago Cubs, who pursued him aggressively and offered slightly less than $50 million over five years. The Braves wouldn’t go higher than $36 million over four years.

The $13-million average annual value of the deal is significantly more than the $40-million, four-year deal the Boston Red Sox gave shortstop Edgar Renteria a year ago. Shortstop Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees makes nearly $20 million a year and Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles makes $11 million a year.

Alex Rodriguez signed a 10-year deal for $252 million in 2001 to play shortstop for the Texas Rangers, but he has since moved to third base with the Yankees.

Dodger shortstop Cesar Izturis, who won the Gold Glove award in 2004, is recovering from ligament surgery in his right elbow and is not expected to play until July. With Furcal in the fold, Izturis would move to second base and Jeff Kent would play first base.

Izturis will be in the second year of a three-year, $10-million contract and Kent has one year left in a two-year, $17-million deal.

General Manager Ned Colletti said he would speak to Izturis and Kent about changing positions before signing Furcal.

In addition to solidifying the infield, Furcal would give the Dodgers one of the best leadoff batters in baseball. He has averaged 107 runs the last four seasons and had stolen 189 bases with a 78% success rate. His lifetime on-base percentage is .348.

Landing Furcal is a significant coup for Colletti, who only three days ago was spurned by free-agent outfielder Brian Giles. Giles re-signed with the San Diego Padres for nearly $5 million less than the Dodgers were offering over three years, citing family considerations.

Colletti, who replaced the fired Paul DePodesta on Nov. 16, made the offer to Furcal one day after learning Giles had declined a three-year, $34.5-million Dodger offer. The relatively short term of the deal appealed to Furcal because in three years he could again attract a lucrative contract.

Furcal is a durable player but last season had soreness in a knee and in his throwing shoulder. He has been convicted twice of drunk driving, but Brave sources said he has overcome his problems and has a reputation as a positive element in the clubhouse.

The Dodgers plan to remain aggressive in the free-agent market. They are expected to sign Bill Mueller or Joe Randa to play third base and have made offers to several free-agent starting pitchers. Obtaining a power-hitting outfielder is also a priority.

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Rafael Furcal’s career statistics, all with the Atlanta Braves:

*--* YEAR AB R H SB AVG. 2000 455 87 134 40 295 2001 324 39 89 22 275 2002 636 95 175 27 275 2003 664 130 194 25 292 2004 563 103 157 29 279 2005 616 100 175 46 284

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