Dodgers close to trading Rafael Furcal to St. Louis

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Rafael Furcal might have played his final game with the Dodgers on Friday night.

The Dodgers are closing in on a deal that would send the veteran shortstop to the St. Louis Cardinals, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the move hasn’t been finalized.

Furcal is expected to approve the trade. Because he has more than 10 years of major-league service time and spent the last five years with the same team, Furcal has the right to block any trades.

Once the deal is completed, Furcal would have 24 hours to approve it.

Furcal has spent the last six seasons with the Dodgers. He was often injured, playing 150 games only twice. Two trips to the disabled list this season have limited him to 37 games.

Furcal, 33, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, is hitting only .197. But he has looked better in the last week, as he is 8 for 22 (.364) with five runs and two steals over his last six games.

The Dodgers are expected to send cash to the Cardinals to help cover a portion of what remains of Furcal’s $12-million salary.

Furcal’s departure would create an opening for top prospect Dee Gordon, who batted .232 in 22 games earlier this season in his first major league call-up.

RELATED:

Imagining the season without Matt Kemp

McCourts’ divorce could cost $35 million

Reliever Kenley Jansen placed on DL with irregular heartbeat

-- Dylan Hernandez