Does Anyone Want Jeff Francoeur?

by gondeee on Nov 3, 2008 9:00 AM EST in Trade News Comment 18 comments

The once Golden Boy of the Atlanta Braves franchise, Jeff Francoeur found out this year that major league baseball is hard. So many people had such high hopes for Frenchy, and yet when we really needed him last year, he did not show up. Was this massive downturn, in his fourth major league season, an anomoly or a sign of things to come?

There's no doubt that Frank Wren was unhappy with the performance Francoeur had on the field this year. He demoted him to the minors in the middle of July, but soon reversed his decision -- be it because of injuries (the stated reason) or pressure from within the organization (probably the real reaason).

There's been some talk, whether it's actual news or just fans talking, that the Braves may try and trade Francoeur and unburden themselves from his impending arbitration years and his hapless bat. But who would take a chance on a guy like that?

It occurred to me that the Royals might have some interest. After all, they did just acquire Mike Jacobs:

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2008 - Mike Jacobs	141	477	67	118	27	2	32	93	36	119	1	0	.247	.299	.514

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2008 - Jeff Francoeur	155	599	70	143	33	3	11	71	39	111	0	1	.239	.294	.359

Just look at those quasi-similar numbers. Similar batting and on-base, similar strikeouts and walks. Yes, Jacobs has the edge on Francoeur in the power department, but some might be convinced that Frenchy's power will come back in time.

I'm not seriously advocating this, but in the world of rumors, if the Royals think Jacobs can help them, then they probably think Francoeur can too. Add to that the obvious connection to the Braves that Royals GM Dayton Moore has, and it's not too much of a leap.

It's probably not the best time to trade a guy like Francoeur, who is coming off a terrible season, if you want maximum return, but you never know how other teams may value talent or a player they've coveted for a long time. If Frank Wren wasn't shy about demoting Frenchy, then he may not be shy about trading him. There were some rumors and rumblings around the trade deadline that the Braves were shopping Francoeur, so I wouldn't be shocked if those started up again.

Poll

Should the Braves trade Jeff Francoeur?

Yes

122 votes

No

232 votes

354 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Not going to happen

You dont sell low on players. What would the Braves expect to get in return? I would be stunned if they were able to bring a top tier starter, or a power hitting outfielder back in the deal. Assuming that they would not be able to fill any of these needs, all trading Jeff would do would be to open another hole in the lineup.

I really believe that Jeff will bounce back. He is ultra competitive and will make the necessary improvements to regain his form.

by dmack on Nov 3, 2008 9:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Can't Trade Francouer

Not right now, anyway. The Braves have basically zero proven outfielders. Unless we trade Frenchy for a better corner OF (which wouldn’t be too smart for the other team), we’d basically need to find both a LF and a RF.

And, I would guess the fact that KC already took on one low-OBP player in Jacobs makes it less likely they’d take another in Frenchy.

I think the Braves are forced to cross their fingers and hope Frenchy learns to hit, at least for 2009.

by MikeinAtlanta on Nov 3, 2008 11:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Crazy idea

Buy low sell high, not the opposite.

by JimK on Nov 3, 2008 11:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

we down here in Tampa

might give you Edwin Jackson for him. Interested?

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Nov 3, 2008 12:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Who wants Jeff Francouer?

Thousands of teenage suburban Atlanta girls.

by 10-4 on Nov 3, 2008 12:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Frenchy for Edwin Jackson

That would be a great steal for the braves, the problem is it makes really little sense for the Rays. I understand that Frenchy is young and controllable, but he really does not improve the rays in any way. The rays already have enough young, inconsistent right handed hitters, it really would make no sense to try and grab another. Now, that is just perception. The rays may love Frenchy’s youth, which I could see. My point is that the Rays need consistent offensive production more than anything in their lineup, and I think jackson could net the Rays a veteran slugger (Dye) who would be much more valuable of an addition than frenchy.

by bravesbeast1985 on Nov 3, 2008 12:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Makes absolutely no sense to trade Jeff at this time and I don’t think Wren has any intention of doing so.

by dwbrave on Nov 3, 2008 3:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

FRANCOEUR FOR HOCHEVAR!!!!

Following the Braves...one long hard drink at a time.

by bigjoe on Nov 3, 2008 4:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

KC fan

NO! We can’t make that trade. Actually, KC fans have been a little down on Hochevar, more because of when/how he was drafted in comparison to others available than his play this year. This was his rookie season and we all hope he’ll improve.

There have been many rumors this year that KC would chase Francouer this year but many fans believe that would be stupid. Yes, we just got a low OBP guy. I agree we don’t need another. In fact, that’s been a mystery on our boards. Dayton Moore made a big point by stating “we have to improve OBP this off-season” about 30 times in one interview about a month ago – then he picked up Jacobs. So many are flabbergasted.

by kabrink on Nov 3, 2008 8:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BS

Did you see what FLA got in return for Jacobs? I think it was only a middle reliever. Not enough for ATL to make that trade.

by schaef888 on Nov 3, 2008 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

The Royals got what looks like “a potentially servicable middle reliever” for Jacobs, who was not only better than Francouer last season (see the stats above), but has actually been a better major league player than Jeff (.258/.314/.483 in 1,372 AB compared to .264/.309/.419 in 1892 AB in the 2005-2007 period) overall. Sure, Mike is a 1B and our Golden Boy was once an excellent RF (not so last season), but the bottomline is that they’re remarkably similar players at the ML-level. Why trade Francouer now unless you had to?

Here we go again: http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/

by ejruiz on Nov 3, 2008 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not necessarily "selling low" on Frenchy to trade him now.

If you assume he’s not going to improve much and some other team thinks he will, then trading him now is much better than trading him after he demonstrates yet again that he is who he is.

As the Edwin Jackson idea shows, there ARE people who think Frenchy’s a good risk. There was never really that opinion about Mike Jacobs, and Jacobs is coming off a much better season (offensively).

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 3, 2008 5:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I tend to agree

Selling him low would be trading him after another bad year. There are probably some teams out there who think he is indeed worth a little risk. Personally, I don’t see him recovering, so if something can be had for him, I say have it.

by BraveBronco0121 on Nov 3, 2008 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Waffle House wants him to be their cook...

- Oh, Bobby. -

by sdp on Nov 3, 2008 8:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ha

Trade Jeff Francoeur….Thats funny. Trading Jeff Francoeur would be the worst move for Wren to make. Jeff Francoeur is a very talented player and there is not a doubt in my mind that Francoeur will come back next year better than ever. He is going to work harder on pitch recognition and cutting down his swing. I believe his 2009 statistics will be the best that we have seen thus far. Francoeur is a true competitor and he will not stand for another 2008-esque season. Also, why trade francoeur now? His stock in incredibly low.

by nc19 on Nov 3, 2008 8:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is that you Jeff!?!?!

by BravesFan on Nov 3, 2008 9:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh...

I’m sorry, but even if he returns to his old ‘06-’07 form, he’s still a marginal starter in right field. Quite frankly, I don’t care hard he works or how competitive he is, if he can’t learn to stop swinging at breaking balls 6 inches off the plate, I don’t want him around anymore.

by BraveBronco0121 on Nov 5, 2008 4:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs