The signing of Los Angeles Dodgers free agent Rafael Furcal was always a long shot for the Toronto Blue Jays .
The worse news to emerge now is that the Atlanta Braves and Furcal are on the verge of agreeing on a three-year deal. It would not have been so bad for the Jays had Furcal signed with the Oakland A's because then the Jays would have been able to deal for A's shortstop Bobby Crosby.
But now ...
Atlanta, meanwhile, is dangerous. Spurned by pitcher A.J. Burnett who said no to their five-year $80-million US deal, the Braves have money to burn ($40 million).
It is a time when mistakes happen.
Remember the Jays landing right-hander Erik Hanson to a three-year $9.5 million US deal after the 1995 season.
The Jays made bids and failed chasing more expensive free-agent starters. They then turned to Hanson, who made 45 starts in three years with the Jays going 13-20.
Yet the Braves are the wise ones in this equation. If they land Furcal, they then feel they have enough parts to enter the sweepstakes for right-hander Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres.
Atlanta general manager Frank Wren could deal shortstop Yunel Escobar or move second baseman Kelly Johnson in a package for Peavy. Furcal can either play second or remain at short.
Furcal left the Braves after the 2005 season signing as a free agent with the Dodgers. When Furcal left after promising to give the Braves a final chance to beat the L.A. offer it is one of the few times we ever saw former Braves GM John Schuerholz lose his temper.
