With Jhonny Peralta off the market, teams looking for shortstop help are turning elsewhere to fill their need. According to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com, the Red Sox, Nationals, Rockies, Marlins and Pirates are among the teams interested in Rafael Furcal, who is looking to make a comeback from Tommy John surgery.
The Mets, who showed interest in both Peralta and Furcal earlier in the offseason, are concerned about Furcal's health and are no longer interested in signing him, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman. The team is still looking for an upgrade over Ruben Tejada at shortstop, and could look at Stephen Drew to fill the need.
The Cardinals, who signed Peralta to a four-year, $53 million contract last week, are likely no longer considering adding a reunion with Furcal. In 2011 and 2012 with St. Louis, the 36-year old hit .262 with 12 HR and 65 RBIin 171 games, bringing his career totals to a .281 average with 113 RBI and 585 RBI in thirteen major league seasons with the Braves (2000-2005),Dodgers (2006-2011) and Cardinals (2012-2013).
Because he is recovering from a serious injury, Furcal will likely have to settle for a one-year, incentive-laden deal from a team looking to take a flyer on him this offseason. The shortstop market is weak this offseason, with the biggest remaining names including Drew, Furcal, and Clint Barmes.