I received this Rafael Furcal game-used card Monday from Zach of Autographed Cards in a quickie auto-for-gamer trade.I inquired about any available Dodger autos or relics, and he didn't have any but offered the Furcal card. I gladly agreed to the trade. I like Furcal, and I've said several times that I really, really hope the Dodgers re-sign him.
But the way things look now that's appearing less and less likely. Furcal's agent is talking four years, and the Dodgers won't agree to that. Meanwhile, teams are lining up to inquire about Furcal, especially the Giants, A's, Cardinals, Cubs and Braves.
So, I may have just traded for someone who has already worn a Dodger uniform for the last time. That's disappointing, because there is nothing that builds confidence in your team (aside from great starting pitching) than an anchor at shortstop. There is definitely something missing when your team is starting a shortstop like Julio Lugo or David Eckstein (yeah, I know both of them won World Series rings, I'm talking about confidence).
Edgar Rentaria and Orlando Cabrera are still out there, but it just won't be the same as Raffy. And if the Dodgers end up starting Chin-lung Hu or Angel Berroa or Ivan DeJesus Jr. at shortstop, I'll just keep telling myself -- "The Red Sox won with Lugo and the Cardinals won with Eckstein" -- all season long.
Comments
but i agree - raffy should have been the top priority for ned. and maybe he was, just the length of contract was too much. although ned's track record doesn't suggest that he is overly cautious with free agents.