Furcal sees tough season ahead for Atlanta Braves with loss of key players

<p>Dominican shortstop Rafael Furcal acknowledged Sunday that the Atlanta Braves face a tough road ahead next season.</p><p>Atlanta will not retain starter Greg Maddux _ the last remnant of a starting rotation that dominated the National League over the last decade _ third baseman Vinny Castilla, catcher Javy Lopez and outfielder Gary Sheffield.</p><p>The departure of Sheffield, Vinny, Javy and Maddux is a tremendous loss for the Braves, Furcal said in San Juan, where he was playing in an all-star game between the Dominican and Puerto Rican winter leagues.</p><p>It will be a bit difficult, the 2000 NL Rookie of the Year winner added.</p><p>Furcal was leaving out hope that the Braves would open their coffers and sign one of the hottest free agents left on the market, fellow countryman Vladimir Guerrero, right-fielder for the Montreal Expos last season.</p><p>The only one who can substitute Sheffield is Guerrero, Furcal said. He is one of the best sluggers in the big leagues.</p><p>Furcals hopes to add Guerrero as a teammate probably ended Saturday when the Braves acquired outfielder J.D. Drew from the St. Louis Cardinals in the first trade of the winter meetings in New Orleans.</p><p>Furcal, 26, had his best offensive season in 2003, batting .292 with 15 home runs, 194 hits and 130 runs scored.</p><p>The shortstop, who smacked a total of 16 home runs in his first three years in the major leagues, was surprised at his sudden power.</p><p>Home runs dont go through my mind, Furcal said. Those were 15 good swings.</p><p>He attributed last years success in part to his annual participation in the Dominican winter league where he plays with the Escogido Lions.</p><p>Furcal said he would always return to his Caribbean homeland to play ball in the winter despite his multimillion dollar status.</p><p>I am one of those who doesnt play just for the money, he said. I play baseball because its the only thing I know how to do.</p>