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November 10, 2005

Rafael Furcal = Dave Collins

I've seen the FOX reports on the internet that contain this news:

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman asked one of Furcal's representatives if Furcal would be willing to play center. Furcal, 28, likely will rule nothing out at this early stage of free agency — he routinely shags fly balls with Braves teammate Andruw Jones and jokes about replacing him in center. He not only is athletic enough to play the position, but also could bat leadoff for the Yankees, forming a dynamic 1-2 combination with Derek Jeter.

This makes me reflect back to the last time that the Yankees chased after a 28-year-old speedster and asked him to switch positions to join the team: Dave Collins in 1982.

Actually, the two measure up nicely together - Furcal with 189 career SB and 15 RCAA in 3,649 PA and Collins (through 1981) with (then) 209 SB and 17 RCAA in 2,796 PA.

I'd much rather see the Yankees get a proven CF and let Furcal go play SS with the Mets or Cubs or something. If you're going to have a bat like Furcal's in CF, he better be a Gold Glover in CF. And, it's doubtful that Furcal would be that - now or ever.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 10, 2005 10:46 AM

Comments

Oh, do I remember the Dave Collins experiment. Please, no, no, oh my, no.....

Posted by: Scott Coulter [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 10, 2005 12:05 PM

Hey, if it were to happen, Jeter would then be the third-best fielding shortstop on the Yankees! ;) (and probably the one who could play CF the best)

Posted by: James Varghese [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 10, 2005 12:31 PM

This CF search is gonna get ugly. Athleticism or no, I'd rather not have someone learning on the job. If it gets to that point, you may as well let Matsui play CF. If Lance Berkman can play CF, almost anyone can...

FWIW, Dave Collins played CF before he came to the Bronx; 119 games in 1980. Season prior he was in RF, and the year before that, he put close to equal time in the corners.

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 10, 2005 12:39 PM

If true, this story represents a willingness to think creatively and challenge existing assumptions. I agree that I probably wouldn't want Furcal in CF, but this shows an exciting ability to "freewheel" within limits.

Posted by: Jason O. [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 10, 2005 05:15 PM