make me an offer...

Furcal is done. Or is he? The all star wanted a four year deal, and so Billy Beane offered him one, albeit a shade below the rate he'd been getting on his 3 year deal with the Dodgers (4 years, $35MM-$40MM). Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer balked at the offer... clearly overlooking the fact that his client is fresh off a back surgery that limited him to 36 games in 2008. Beane attached a sunset clause, and eventually the sun set on the offer. Negotiations halted. Offer withdrawn.

Beane's offer borders on the bold. It's not quite a low-ball sum, but it's pretty much a low ball-sum. The length of the deal is overshadowed by the price tag. Furcal didn't just want a 4 year deal... he wanted a 4 year deal at the rate he was getting in his 3 year arrangement. This begs the question: if LA didn't think he was worth it 3 years ago, why should Oakland think he is now, at 3 years older plus one major back surgery?

Short answer: he isn't. And as Sarah Green (Boston Metro) pointed out: "it's a thin market for Furcal". The 3 teams looking for a big name free agent Shortstop were SF, St Louis and Oakland. The Giants and the Cards found their guys in the forms of Edgar Rentaria and Khalil Greene. Oakland, being the only team left, took the sensible (if not smug) route in offering Furcal a 4 year deal at a rate that didn't offend their delicate payroll politics. It didn't work.

So here we are; the thirsty athletics nation, grinding our teeth at the thought of another year with Bobby Crosby at short, batting .245 and playing well below the expectations of his 2004 Rookie of the year season. As an athletics faithful, my hopes were set on the big free agent signing, but I'm not ready to give up yet on Crosby. Hitting is chemical, and it's hard to expect one guy to hit well when the entire lineup is underperforming.

There is also the possibility that Furcal comes back around; realizing there are no suitors willing to go the distance his agent seems to think they should go. Only time and market conditions can tell. The offseason is not done yet, and this week's winter meetings in Vegas could be the most eventful of the year. Stay tuned for next steps.

-j