Furcal Remains with Dodgers; Braves See Red

Rafael Furcal has reportedly re-signed a three-year contract $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves are seeing red.

Earlier in the week it appeared that Furcal had agreed to a three-year contract with the Braves. Furcal started his major league career with the Braves playing with them from 2000 through 2005 before signing with the Dodgers in 2006. His agents claimed Furcal had not made a commitment that they only requested a term sheet and that the deal hadn't the authorization of the Major League Baseball Players Association and MLB. For their part the Braves now refuse to deal with other players represented by Furcal's agents.

The main reason Furcal appears to have had second thoughts returning to Atlanta was that he would have had to play second base as Yunel Escobar is the Braves regular shortstop. Furcal has played his entire career at shortstop and the Dodgers want to keep him there.

Although Manny Ramirez was the face of the Dodgers in the second half of 2008, Furcal is their most consistent player. Given there's a good chance Manny will not return to L.A. in 2009 re-signing Furcal was absolutely essential for the Dodgers.