Talk about an up and down week for the Atlanta Braves. First they think that Rafael Furcal will be coming back and then reports saying that he would be choosing between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Braves. Well it now looks like Furcal has agreed on a three year contract with the Dodgers as long as he passes a physical.

The terms of the contract haven’t been released, but all signs are pointing to $10 million per year for three years. Yeah, the same terms that the Braves were offering him. Furcal simply chose to stay on the West coast rather then coming back to play for the Braves.

We wish him luck, but his agent sure played the Braves in this deal.

Looks like I blew the gun a little to quick the other day when I was blogging abotu Rafael Furcal coming back to the Braves. Sources are now saying that the deal was never signed and Furcal is still trying to decide who he wants to play for in 2009. It is down to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves however.

Paul Kinzer who is Furcal’s agent said a deal with the Braves was close but was never signed like it had been reported. Right now, reports are saying that Furcal should be deciding on Wednesday or Thursday.

Keep checking back and we will have an update soon.

The Braves have mostly struck out during the offseason so far as they have missed out on Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett but it looks like they have found one free agent that they will be spending some money on. Rafael Furcal appears to be headed back to Atlanta once he passes a physical reports are saying.

Furcal was brought into the major leagues by Braves and played with the team from 2000-2005. He has kept his home in suburban Atlanta even though he has played the last couple of seasons out in Los Angeles with the Dodgers.

The contract is being rumored to be for three years with a vesting option for a fourth year. I expect it to be close to what the Oakland A’s were offering in the $10 million per year range.

Most Braves fans are now wondering what the teams plans are with Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson. Both of them have been rumored in past trades. I still expect Furcal to be a shortstop, and then Escobar or Johnson to play second base. The other player could be the main guy out and possibly still moved this off season for some starting pitching.

What’s your thoughts on the deal?

Atlanta Braves

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The Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox have now officialy completed a six player trade that will send starting pitcher Javier Vazquez to the Braves along with left handed reliever Boone Logan. The Braves will be sending four players to the White Sox including shortstop Brent Lillibridge, catcher Tyler Flowers, left-handed pitcher Santos Rodriguez and third baseman Jon Gilmore

The trade was first talked about earlier in the week but the Braves wanted to have a physical and mri done on Vazquez to make sure everything was ok. That all happened on Wednesday and the trade was officialy announced Thursday morning.

“It’s a fresh start for me,” said Vazquez, who went 12-16 with a 4.67 ERA in 33 starts for the White Sox this past season. “I’ve always liked the National League more than the American League. Being able to be a part of all facets of the game is important to me.”

Atlanta Braves