"I say we let him go"
It's reported that Rafael Furcal wants $50 million over 5 or 6 years. I certainly hope the Braves don't try and pay that. Furcal has always been a little bit of a loose cannon (describing both this strong, but inaccurate throwing arm and his desire to always swing for the fences rather than just get on base like a good leadoff hitter). His performance in the second half of this past year was, I'm sure, completely brought about by his agent saying, "Look son, if you don't bust your ass these last three months, you ain't gettin' shit come free agency time. Do you want that?"
Now, everybody and the brother (read the two New York teams and Boston) are courting his favor. I say let him go. Okay, so they'll get his speed (which is formidable). They'll also be getting a player who only responds positively when he has something personally to gain (or lose) from his performance. His playoff performance in 2004 was purely a side effect of knowing that as soon as the season was over, he was spending 30 days in the county lockup for drunk driving.
Bah. He's going to sign a big contract and then start playing like crap again, just watch him. Of course, the Mets--uh, I mean, "whatever team", ends up signing him will be moaning and groaning and trying to find somebody to take his big-ass contract.
Let him walk. In 2006, the starting shortstop for the Braves will be Wilson Betemit, who started in place of Chipper Jones at 3B and had a wonderful part-time season. And SS is his natural position. Chipper's backup is supposed to be Andy Marte. Marte, being about the only highly touted Braves prospect who didn't kick major ass this year, will probably be taking Betemit's place as the backup IF on the bench. I'm just hoping that he follows Betemit's lead and matures a little and is ready to play full-time if (read: when) Chipper's contract is up and he decides to start looking for greener pastures, as well.
Now, everybody and the brother (read the two New York teams and Boston) are courting his favor. I say let him go. Okay, so they'll get his speed (which is formidable). They'll also be getting a player who only responds positively when he has something personally to gain (or lose) from his performance. His playoff performance in 2004 was purely a side effect of knowing that as soon as the season was over, he was spending 30 days in the county lockup for drunk driving.
Bah. He's going to sign a big contract and then start playing like crap again, just watch him. Of course, the Mets--uh, I mean, "whatever team", ends up signing him will be moaning and groaning and trying to find somebody to take his big-ass contract.
Let him walk. In 2006, the starting shortstop for the Braves will be Wilson Betemit, who started in place of Chipper Jones at 3B and had a wonderful part-time season. And SS is his natural position. Chipper's backup is supposed to be Andy Marte. Marte, being about the only highly touted Braves prospect who didn't kick major ass this year, will probably be taking Betemit's place as the backup IF on the bench. I'm just hoping that he follows Betemit's lead and matures a little and is ready to play full-time if (read: when) Chipper's contract is up and he decides to start looking for greener pastures, as well.