Francoeur Promotion Puzzling

by gondeee on Jul 7, 2008 3:18 PM EDT

I wrote earlier today that I thought it was a mistake to demote Jeff Francoeur to the minors. Well, he has now been recalled to the majors, which, to me at least, is puzzling, and in some respects calls the reasons for his demotion into question.

If the point of his demotion was for the team to "straighten him out" or "get him back to his old form," then how can three days in the minors solve those problems? To me this further underlines the real reasons for his demotion. If it really was for him to get his swing back, then the right thing to do would have been to keep him down there until that occurred (as per the original plan). In this instance, the team should have recalled Brandon Jones or Brent Lillibridge or Josh Anderson.

My feeling, especially after this hasty recall today, is that the real decision to demote Francoeur was a punitive measure, and had less to do with him rediscovering himself as was publicly stated.

This decision to recall Francouer also seems like a knee jerk reaction to the possible negative reaction that many had to his demotion.

Some chinks in the Braves front office armor are beginning to show...

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If not for Infante...

I think Francoeur would have served closer to his 20 days in the minors. But with Infante out, the squad loses the super-utility guy, or the guy who can be the outfielder to take the place of Gnortony or Blanco. Kinda like a chain-effect; No Infante means that Gnortony plays left, so that Kotsay can take center, unless he’s hurt which means Blanco has to play there. Perry or Francoeur (pick your poison) takes RF, while Infante/Prado can play SS, but now Kelly has nobody to spell for him or platoon.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Jul 7, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

I meant...

Yunel/Prado plays SS unless Escobar is hurt as well, in which Kelly has nobody to platoon with, and Teix has nobody to give him a day off either, with Gnortony in the OF.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Jul 7, 2008 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting.

It was like a five minute ‘sit in the corner’ time out instead of week’s grounding. But still, hopefully in the short time he was there he figured SOMETHING out, and we can go back to cheering him as much as we do McCann.

by Something Profound on Jul 7, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

What did he do then?

If it was a punishment, what was it for? This sounds like the NBA talk in the late 90s about Jordan’s retirement really being a punishment by Stern for gambling.

by taney71 on Jul 7, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

Wren looks more like a Buisness GM than a Baseball GM

A interesting quote from a blog of Rob Neyer on the demotion and early recall.

“Still, his three-day trip to the minors suggests to a fundamental inability to understand what was really happening, both on the field and inside Francoeur’s mind.”

I have not enjoyed the direction of the Braves ever since they came under their new owners from Ted Turner. They don’t seem as commited to baseball success as they are buisness profits. I don’t have anything to substantiate it but i can’t help but think that John left the GM spot a little earlier than anyone anticipated.

The decision to send Franceour down seems like it was made with little attempt to communicate with Frenchy face to face about what he was going through and make a smart baseball decision. Sending him down like this seems more like a decision a desperate emotional fan would make instead of a knowledgable and clear thinking GM.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

I Corinthians 9:24

by Southern Dawg on Jul 7, 2008 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

scary quote

but, I have to admit some truth to it.

I was in favor of the demotion, if it were to get his swing back. However, this early recall does change things. WTF is going on here? Also, nothing has been the same since Ted Turner sold the team and they stopped being on TBS.

"Have you ever had your heart broken?"
"Yeah, when we lost the pennant in '87."

by jug on Jul 7, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly all this proves is that the Braves listen to Gond. I mean he was gone for the weekend and couldn’t post when they demoted Frenchy and then all of sudden when he gets back and comments on it they realize the error of their ways and send Frenchoeur right back to the majors. Good work Gond.

by yondaime4 on Jul 7, 2008 7:00 PM EDT reply actions

The just got around...

...the Minor League Options clause. The only reason he could return is due to the fact he’s replacing an injured player on the roster. If it weren’t for that he’d still be in Mississippi serving out his demotion as he has to remain there for 10 or 20(?) days before being recalled after being optioned.

I’m one of the few that were in favor of the demotion, and honestly he should still be down there. I’m not buy the crap Wren is spewing about why they recalled him. Man Frank, stick to your guns if your going to do something..

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by RainDelay on Jul 7, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions