It has been widely reported at this point that Cubs GM Jim Hendry had dinner with Rafael Furcal and his wife on Sunday and made a contract offer. Though the link is to a Paul Sullivan column, Bruce Levine initially broke the news yesterday on ESPN Radio 1000. (Thanks to all that passed me that info).
MLBTradeRumors.com has now uncovered the details of Hendry’s offer. According to a source close to the proceedings, the Cubs offered a four-year deal worth $38MM to Furcal.
Furcal was the third-best shortstop in baseball in 2005, and it will take a deal larger than Edgar Renteria’s four-year, $40MM contract for the Cubs to reel him in. Ultimately, the Cubs will probably have to come back with a five year offer worth a little more than $50MM.
