Furcal, the top free-agent shortstop on the open market, has decided to sign with the Dodgers, major-league sources said. His deal, which will become official after he passes a physical, is for three years and $30 million, according to one source with knowledge of the details.

Furcal will receive $6.5 million next season, $8.5 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011. His contract includes a $12 million vesting option for a fourth season, which Furcal will receive if he makes 600 plate appearances in year three, as well as a $3 million bonus whenever the deal ends.

On Monday night, the Braves were under the distinct impression that they had a deal with Furcal. On Tuesday, the Dodgers re-entered the discussions, and by Wednesday afternoon the Dodgers and Furcal were hammering out the terms of an agreement, sources said.

The Braves on Wednesday were informed that Furcal would not accept their deal.

"When people deal with you in this manner, they lose credibility," Braves GM Frank Wren said. "You don't forget these things."

According to Wren, this is how the situation played out:

• Wren reached agreement on the terms of a contract with Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, on Monday night, pending the approval of Furcal.
• Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday night, Wren spoke with Kinzer three or four times, negotiating the dollar amount, the years and terms of the vesting option, and other contractual details.
• Wren and Kinzer spoke again around midnight Monday night. Kinzer told Wren that he had not yet heard back from Furcal, but that Furcal was excited and that "we're good."
• On Tuesday morning, Wren woke up to a voicemail from Kinzer telling him to put a term sheet (the standard baseball term for an official contract offer) together.
• Wren went into his office in Atlanta, put the term sheet together and signed it.
• Shortly thereafter, Kinzer began "backpedaling," saying he promised the Dodgers he would talk to them.