Shortstop Rafael Furcal finalized his three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday.

Furcal agreed to terms of a contract worth at least $30 million with the Dodgers two days earlier, prompting the Atlanta Braves to claim the 31-year-old switch hitter reneged on a deal with them. He passed a physical yesterday.

"Raffy has proven to be a very important player for us over the last three seasons," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said in a statement issued yesterday. "He sets a great example with his enthusiasm and passion for the game and his teammates."

Furcal hit .357 with five homers and 16 RBIs last season, but was limited to 143 at-bats by back problems. He had back surgery July 3 and was sidelined until the season's final week.

Braves president John Schuerholz has vowed to never again do business with Furcal's agents, whom Schuerholz accused in a newspaper interview of conducting "despicable" dealings with the team.

Schuerholz and Braves general manager Frank Wren were quoted as saying the Wasserman Media Group, headed by Arn Tellem, negotiated dishonestly by taking the team's signed terms of agreement sheet for Furcal to the Dodgers. Wren said he believed the request by agent Paul Kinzer for a term sheet signed by the Braves late Monday meant an agreement had been reached.

"Having been in this business for 40-some years, I've never seen anybody treated like that," Schuerholz was quoted as saying in yesterday's editions of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company — ever. I told Arn Tellem that we can't trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I've never seen any (agency) act in such a despicable manner."

ELSEWHERE

Obituary: Dock Ellis, the former major league pitcher best remembered for his flamboyance and social activism as a member of the great Pittsburgh Pirates teams of the 1970s, died yesterday of a liver ailment in California, former agent Tom Reich confirmed, according to ESPN.com. Ellis was 63. Ellis spent 12 years in the majors with Pittsburgh, the New York Yankees, Oakland, Texas and the New York Mets. He retired in 1979 with a record of 138-119.

Yankees: CC Sabathia will receive $9.5 million from the New York Yankees before he throws his first official pitch in pinstripes. His $161 million, seven-year contract includes a $9 million signing bonus, according to details obtained yesterday by The Associated Press. By the time the Yankees open at Baltimore on April 6, he already will have received $6 million of that bonus plus $3.5 million of next year's salary.

World Classic: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard has decided not to participate in the World Baseball Classic. The Phillies' slugger informed Team USA manager Davey Johnson of his decision yesterday.

Marlins: Florida and pitcher Josh Johnson have agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract. Johnson, 23, returned from elbow surgery in July to post a 7-1 record and a 3.61 ERA.

Angels: Outfielder Juan Rivera decided to stay with the Los Angeles Angels, agreeing to a $12.75 million, three-year contract. He hit .246 with 12 homers and 45 RBIs last season.