thinkfast®
12-05-2005, 03:03 PM
bout time we make moves... found a second baseman, and hopefully a manager!
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/images/2005/09/24/yL6aZt77.jpg
DALLAS -- What's the Winter Meetings without rumors?
The one concerning the Dodgers that circulated through the lobby on Sunday was that Jim Fregosi would have a second interview for manager, this time with Dodgers chairman Frank McCourt. If Fregosi gets the job, his bench coach could be Grady Little.
The Dodgers offered no confirmation. They still hadn't officially confirmed that Rafael Furcal is their new shortstop, although Furcal's agent confirmed that he agreed to the terms of a three-year, $39 million deal on Saturday after a decisive dinner with McCourt Friday night.
The signing won't be official until Furcal passes a physical exam scheduled for Monday.
Furcal will bat leadoff and replace injured All-Star shortstop Cesar Izturis, who would become the second baseman when he returns from Tommy John elbow reconstruction in midseason, at which time Jeff Kent would be moved to first base.
Whether or not the dominoes fall that way, the club told Furcal he's the shortstop, regardless. And although the Dodgers are now into their third month without a manager, the uncertainty did not dissuade Furcal from leaving the Atlanta Braves and father-figure manager Bobby Cox, or from spurning a five-year offer from the Chicago Cubs.
"We have a lot of respect for [general manager] Ned Colletti," Furcal's agent Paul Kinzer told MLB.com. "He's a good man. And this was just too good to pass up."
Kinzer said that Furcal was told he would play shortstop after Izturis returns and made his decision after having dinner Friday night with McCourt and longtime coach and Dominican Republic legend, Manny Mota.
"[McCourt] really impressed Raffy," Kinzer said. "He has a passion to get things back to where they once were for the Dodgers."
Furcal receives a $5 million signing bonus, salaries of $4 million, $13 million and $13 million, with a $4 million payoff before the 2009 season.
Who Furcal's manager will be remains an unknown, although Colletti was reportedly ready to pare down an original list of five names in hopes of announcing his selection before the Winter Meetings conclude Thursday. In addition to Fregosi and Little, the first round of interviews included former Tampa Bay bench coach John McLaren, New York Mets third base coach Manny Acta and Cleveland bench coach Joel Skinner.
Fregosi, at 63, is the elder statesman of the five candidates and the perceived favorite from the start of Colletti's search. He had an 18-season Major League career at shortstop, winning a Gold Glove and making six All-Star appearances, and then managed four Major League clubs for 15 seasons. In 1993, he managed the Philadelphia Phillies into the World Series, losing to Toronto. He also took the Angels to their first playoff appearance in 1979.
He last managed Toronto in 1999-2000 and has been a special assistant to Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz for five years. Prior to that, he worked with Colletti in San Francisco for two seasons as special assistant to the general manager.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/images/2005/09/24/yL6aZt77.jpg
DALLAS -- What's the Winter Meetings without rumors?
The one concerning the Dodgers that circulated through the lobby on Sunday was that Jim Fregosi would have a second interview for manager, this time with Dodgers chairman Frank McCourt. If Fregosi gets the job, his bench coach could be Grady Little.
The Dodgers offered no confirmation. They still hadn't officially confirmed that Rafael Furcal is their new shortstop, although Furcal's agent confirmed that he agreed to the terms of a three-year, $39 million deal on Saturday after a decisive dinner with McCourt Friday night.
The signing won't be official until Furcal passes a physical exam scheduled for Monday.
Furcal will bat leadoff and replace injured All-Star shortstop Cesar Izturis, who would become the second baseman when he returns from Tommy John elbow reconstruction in midseason, at which time Jeff Kent would be moved to first base.
Whether or not the dominoes fall that way, the club told Furcal he's the shortstop, regardless. And although the Dodgers are now into their third month without a manager, the uncertainty did not dissuade Furcal from leaving the Atlanta Braves and father-figure manager Bobby Cox, or from spurning a five-year offer from the Chicago Cubs.
"We have a lot of respect for [general manager] Ned Colletti," Furcal's agent Paul Kinzer told MLB.com. "He's a good man. And this was just too good to pass up."
Kinzer said that Furcal was told he would play shortstop after Izturis returns and made his decision after having dinner Friday night with McCourt and longtime coach and Dominican Republic legend, Manny Mota.
"[McCourt] really impressed Raffy," Kinzer said. "He has a passion to get things back to where they once were for the Dodgers."
Furcal receives a $5 million signing bonus, salaries of $4 million, $13 million and $13 million, with a $4 million payoff before the 2009 season.
Who Furcal's manager will be remains an unknown, although Colletti was reportedly ready to pare down an original list of five names in hopes of announcing his selection before the Winter Meetings conclude Thursday. In addition to Fregosi and Little, the first round of interviews included former Tampa Bay bench coach John McLaren, New York Mets third base coach Manny Acta and Cleveland bench coach Joel Skinner.
Fregosi, at 63, is the elder statesman of the five candidates and the perceived favorite from the start of Colletti's search. He had an 18-season Major League career at shortstop, winning a Gold Glove and making six All-Star appearances, and then managed four Major League clubs for 15 seasons. In 1993, he managed the Philadelphia Phillies into the World Series, losing to Toronto. He also took the Angels to their first playoff appearance in 1979.
He last managed Toronto in 1999-2000 and has been a special assistant to Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz for five years. Prior to that, he worked with Colletti in San Francisco for two seasons as special assistant to the general manager.