01:00 AM EST on Monday, December 5, 2005

Shortstop Rafael Furcal and the Los Angeles Dodgers have reached preliminary agreement on a $39-million, three-year contract, his agent said yesterday.

Paul Kinzer said a physical was scheduled for his client for today. Dodgers spokesman Josh Rawitch would only say no announcement was planned before baseball's winter meetings, which begin today in Dallas.

Los Angeles beat out Atlanta and the Chicago Cubs for Furcal, who had spent his entire six-year career with the Braves.

"He liked all three fits," Kinzer said.

Kinzer said the Dodgers entered the negotiations late, but that new general manager Ned Colletti and owner Frank McCourt made a persuasive argument.

"Earlier in the week, we were about finished when they got involved," Kinzer said. "They asked if we could listen. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Ned."

Adam Katz, Kinzer's partner, had dinner with Colletti on Tuesday night. Furcal and Katz went out to dinner Friday night in Los Angeles with McCourt, and Furcal was impressed by McCourt.

"He told Raffy his vision of where he wanted the team to be and how he fit in," Kinzer said. "Once the Dodgers went to $13 (million), the Cubs and Braves weren't moving to that point."

Furcal will receive $9 million next year, with $5 million of that to be called a signing bonus. He gets $13 million in cash in each of the following two seasons, and there is a final $4 million payment in January 2009.

"It's going to be tough. This is going to be the first time he's ever been without Bobby Cox," Kinzer said, referring to the longtime Braves' manager.

It was the first major move for the Dodgers under Colletti, hired in mid-November as the successor to Paul DePodesta. Before Los Angeles got involved, Cubs manager Jim Hendry appeared to be the favorite.

"Jim Hendry really wanted it, worked hard," Kinzer said.

A switch hitter, Furcal batted .284 last season with 12 homers, 58 RBI, 100 runs scored and 46 steals in 56 attempts. He hit .279 with 24 homers, 59 RBI, 29 stolen bases and 103 runs in 2004, and .292 with 15 homers, 61 RBI, 25 steals and 130 runs scored in 2003.

Furcal is a proven leadoff hitter and exceptional fielder known for his strong throwing arm. He committed only 15 errors last season.

The Dodgers have an All-Star shortstop in Cesar Izturis, but he underwent reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow late last season and isn't expected to play until July.

Izturis could be shifted to second base when he returns, with All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent moving to first.

The Dodgers remain without a manager, but could make a hiring this week. Colletti has interviewed five candidates -- Jim Fregosi, John McLaren, Grady Little, Manny Acta and Joel Skinner.

ROUNDUP METS ACQUIRE LO DUCA: The wheeling-and-dealing New York Mets crossed another need off their 2006 wish list, acquiring All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca from the Florida Marlins in exchange for two minor-league pitchers, the New York Daily News reported on its Web site. Lo Duca, 33, was an All-Star in each of the last three seasons. He will be taking the place of Mike Piazza, a sure Hall of Fame player and, like Lo Duca, a former Dodger. Lo Duca hit .283 with six homers and 57 RBI for the Marlins in 2005. The Mets will send 21-year-old right-hander Gaby Hernandez and another minor-leaguer pitcher to be named, the Daily News reported.

INDIANS NAB BYRD: It looks like Cleveland will start the winter meetings with a bang. A source with knowledge of the team confirmed that the Indiands have all but wrapped up negotiations with right-hander Paul Byrd, who will fulfill one of general manager Mark Shapiro's primary offseason goals, signing a reliable starting pitcher. According to the source, Byrd, who turned 35 Saturday, has agreed to a two-year guaranteed contract worth $7 million per season. Reportedly, the deal includes a club option for 2008.

DELGADO MARRIES: New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado married his girlfriend in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, the town where he was born, the El Nueva Dia newspaper reported. Delgado and Betzaida Garcia were wed Saturday at San Carlos Catholic Church.