Braves sign Julio Franco

by Chipper on Jul 18, 2007 3:47 PM EDT Comment 14 comments

The Mets are paying for his contract too. I don't know if he can help, but he will be a clubhouse leader and be a mentor to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Scott Thorman. This could be an open door for the Braves to go out and trade one of their first basemen knowing Julio is going to be helping in the clubhouse and firstbase. Open forum about this signing. Very low risk here. Let me add this to what Kristi Dosh at Chop-N-Change said: "you can’t criticize it before we at least give it a try."

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HORRIBLE!!!

..This is a completely bone headed move by the Braves FO period. This doesn't help the team at all, and I don't want to hear about "Chemistry" or "Mentoring"...it's all hogwash and you can't prove it either way.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by Rain Delay on Jul 18, 2007 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can prove it

You must not be watching the team if you can't tell the difference.

http://blabberinbraves.blogspot.com/

by Chipper on Jul 18, 2007 4:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I've watch...way longer than I'd care to admit

I just don't buy into like some. I still stand from the last time we went round and round about this. Franco isn't needed, a BAT and ARM are needed and he is neither of those. We've already got guys on the bench who are hitting the .200 mark.

I mean, if they wanted to sign him as a Coach that would be a different story. But now they need to make room on the 40 man and he's wasting a spot on the roster.

I can even put into words how horrible this is.

Oh, and learn to use the "reply to this" link instead of a new reply it makes things easier to read.

I know Chipper than you love Julio..but he isn't going to help the team. Period.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by Rain Delay on Jul 18, 2007 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Picky

have to hit reply! I don't love Julio but he is better than Chris Woodward, who buy the way is wasting his roster spot.

http://blabberinbraves.blogspot.com/

by Chipper on Jul 18, 2007 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I'll agree

..that Woodward is a waste of space, but why would you sign another waste of space? Would the plan here be to get better? Not, just say..the same if not a tad bit worse?

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by Rain Delay on Jul 18, 2007 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The thing is

He is signed to league minimum, lower than Woodward, has a sweet swing, and will be acting like a coach on this team. Your one of the only people I know that doesn't like this. Chop-N-Change likes it, PSD likes it, I don't get what the harm is in giving him a shot. He will strengthen a shaky bench.

http://blabberinbraves.blogspot.com/

by Chipper on Jul 18, 2007 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ridiculous...

We need a pitcher, not a clubhouse leader. I think we have a number of vetrans that can handle the "leader" role. You don't go sign a guy at this point in the season for abstract qualities such as leadership and mentoring ability. You sign someone with the skills you need to help you get in the freakin' playoffs and taking the Mets leftovers isn't the way to do it.

by jenkins on Jul 18, 2007 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What has our bench been like?

Someone tell me!

http://blabberinbraves.blogspot.com/

by Chipper on Jul 18, 2007 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

,,Horrible is the word you're looking for..

..but I don't see how Julio Franco is a improvement.

.200/.328/.260 OPS+ 62

That's how bad Julio is right now. With an OPS+ of 62 means he's 48% below League Average..Ok, so Woody's OPS+ is at 49 so either way, it's a swing of 13 points BELOW league Average.

So honestly it's a wash whether you have Woodward or Franco on your bench, either way it spells Suck.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by Rain Delay on Jul 18, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs