The Cubs were dealt a severe blow in the Rafael Furcal sweepstakes Thursday when Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones agreed to restructure his contract to give the Braves leeway in their off-season pursuits.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Jones agreed to reduce his salary from $17 million to $11 million in 2006 and could save the organization around $15 million combined between 2006-08. The Braves are trying to keep their free-agent shortstop, but with the payroll reduced to $80 million, it’s difficult for general manager John Schuerholz to accommodate Furcal’s request for a five-year deal at around $50 million.
Jones apparently was concerned his salary was preventing the Braves from competing for Furcal, or reeling in free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman, whom Schuerholz is targeting to replace Kyle Farnsworth.
Jones’ agent, B.B. Abbott, told the Journal-Constitution the restructured contract would turn $15 million vesting-option years in 2007 and 2008 into guaranteed years at $11 million per season. The deal won’t be finalized until Jones passes a physical.
The Cubs are considered Furcal’s first choice if he doesn’t re-sign with Atlanta, and they reportedly are willing to go as long as five years on a deal, after avoiding such lengthy contracts during Hendry’s tenure.
If Furcal stays in Atlanta, Hendry is expected to heat up trade talks with Florida for center fielder Juan Pierre, turning over the starting shortstop job to Ronny Cedeno.
