New Los Angeles Dodgers GM Ned Colletti made his first acquisition since taking over for Paul DePodesta when free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal agreed to a 3-year contract with the club. The reported amount of the deal is $39.5 million. Furcal, 28, has spent his entire 6-year career with the Atlanta Braves. The switch-hitting shortstop hit for a .284 batting average last season along with 12 home runs and 58 RBI. Furcal also stole 46 bases and tallied 100 runs for Atlanta in 2005. Furcal also produced a .348 OBP and 62 walks with the Braves last season. The 2000 National League Rookie of the Year had also been courted by the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and his former employer, the Atlanta Braves. Breaking Down The Deal ? With Cesar Izturis expected to miss the first half of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, the Furcal signing is a smart move by GM Ned Colletti. Not only does the new GM obtain a slick fielding shortstop with a powerful arm, but also a speedy leadoff hitter. Furcal will provide a dangerous bat at the top of the order with his ability to slap the ball the other way. He will be the table setter for some of the bigger bats in the lineup including J.D. Drew and Jeff Kent. Although he will commit some head-shaking errors in the field, the risk far outweighs the reward in this signing. Good move for LA. My Grade: [B+] ? a great move by LA in signing the leadoff hitting Furcal ? with the status of Cesar Izturis in question the Dodgers made the right move.