Re-signing Ryan Dempster, a potential free agent, is the Cubs' immediate priority. The addition of a left-handed hitting outfielder also is on the team's wish list. Furcal would qualify as a luxury, but even though the Cubs led the National League in runs last season, they were 10th in on-base percentage at the leadoff spot.

The Cubs finally could drop Alfonso Soriano to a power-hitting position if they signed Furcal. They could trade shortstop Ryan Theriot, who finished sixth in the NL in batting average. And with Furcal, they would add a tough-minded competitor to a team that was swept by the Dodgers in the Division Series.

Furcal made three errors in one inning when the Dodgers were eliminated by the Phillies in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, but he is one of manager Joe Torre's favorites, a leader who excels in every aspect of his game.

The question is whether the Dodgers, who have been burned by several recent free-agent signings, will approach the market more cautiously in the past — particularly with a player who underwent surgery on his lower back last July.

The Dodgers must decide whether to re-sign outfielder Manny Ramirez, and will need to either re-sign right-hander Derek Lowe or find a replacement.

Furcal made a valiant return from his back surgery in late September, then tweaked his leg during Game 5. A major-league executive sent me a text message during the game, saying, "It's not only the leg, it's the back!" Still, Furcal is expected to be 100 percent by spring training.