Mets going after Rafael Furcal?

[RandolphScott]

Free-agent SS Rafael Furcal told El Caribe the A’s offered him a four-year, $48 million contract.

 

According to Furcal, the Mets also made a ‘tempting offer,’ which would require him to play second base.

 

The Giants and A’s have shown the most interest in Furcal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.

 

In early November, Furcal’s agent, Paul Kinzer, who also represents Francisco Rodriguez, told WFAN that almost 10 teams have shown interest in the shortstop.

 

El Caribe reports Furcal will leave the Dominican Republic today to sign a contract in the United States.

 

“The offers from the A’s and Mets are tempting, but I need to meet with my agent first,” Furcal told the Dominican newspaper, “because there are several factors that we have to evaluate, and the decision needs to be well thought out.”

 

The 31–year-old, switch-hitting Furcal hit .357 in just 36 games for the Dodgers in 2008, during which he missed more than 100 games with a back injury.

 

“Due to concerns about the condition of Furcal’s surgically repaired back, the Dodgers have been hesitant to extend him an offer of four years,” writes the Los Angeles Times.

 

Gotta be for second base.

 

Furcal hit .270 with 25 stole bases and a .333 OBP in 2007, and he hit .300 with 37 stolen bases and a .369 OBP in 2006.

 

Furcal is an unranked free agent, due to a lack of playing time, and will not cost his new team any compensatory draft picks.