Oakland's attempt to land free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal ramped up during Thanksgiving week.
A's general manager Billy Beane took Furcal to lunch Nov. 25 and also gave Furcal a tour of the Coliseum and of the Oakland area. Furcal was in town with his wife and his agent, and he did not visit the Giants, another suitor, while he was in Northern California. Agent Paul Kinzer said that Furcal hoped to have his choices narrowed to two teams by the end of the week; the Giants, Dodgers and Braves are also interested. Furcal is likely to get a four-year deal worth more than $40 million, and the A's appear to be the front-runner going into December.
With few shortstop prospects in the upper levels of the minor league system, Oakland can give Furcal a lengthy deal. Current shortstop Bobby Crosby, who will be a free agent at the end of next season, probably will be traded this winter, and Beane could be busy during the winter meetings discussing the former AL Rookie of the Year, considering the number of clubs that need shortstops.
The A's requested a look at Nick Johnson's medical reports more than a month ago, team sources told the San Francisco Chronicle. Johnson always has piqued Beane's interest because of his good on-base percentage, and Oakland might explore a trade with the Nationals for the veteran first baseman if the A's don't sign free agent Jason Giambi or another first base/DH type.
Oakland has no thoughts of parting with young first baseman Daric Barton, according to the Chronicle, despite Barton's poor offensive showing in 2008.
