Pure Speculation ...

by scstrato on Sep 20, 2008 6:57 PM EDT

I just finished reading a handful of articles that appear to be lending credibility to a KC/ATL trade (see title!). So, I thought I'd put MY spin on a potential trade. First this:

http://www.kansascity.com/180/story/785522.html

Joe Posnanski writes about some clubhouse troubles in KC. He makes reference to open mocking of the manager. I take this, combined with Dayton Moore's openness about his team's lack of performance this year, as a sign they're about to "shake things up".

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/09/francoeur-to-th.html

MLBtr references another article written by Joe Posnanski (link in MLBtr article) where is hypothesizes that Francoeur will soon be a Royal (almost at the end of the original article). Fair enough, a beat writer speculating isn't all that unique. But, considering Francoeurs performance, his public whining about being demoted and his refusal to sign any form of a contract and i'm starting to wonder if he isn't on his way out.

Then there's this (from Bob Dutton KC Star):

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/806035.html

Some interesting quotes in there from MGR Trey Hillman. Looks like KC might be souring a bit on prized prospect Alex Gordon. This doesn't really pertain to Francoeur, but it got me to wondering (this is where the speculation comes in play) about a Francouer for Gordon swap.

Yes, I know, we have Chipper at 3B. My argument here is Chipper isn't in (or at least shouldn't be in) our long term plans and since next year is likely a throw away year, why not try and get something for him (P.S. Chipper is one of my favorite players and I would hate to see him leave, but I feel like we need to focus on what's best for us in two/three years). Moving Francoeur and using a stop gap next year clears the way quite nicely for Heyward, this way he won't have to deal with the whole "replacing Francoeur" BS.

OK, so I went WAY out of the way to make a case. It's been a little slow around here lately and I figured, with our season in the tank, I'd try and prompt some traffic.

Flame away!

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Comments

Interesting

I see the only way the Braves trade Frenchy is for a underperforming player that has good potential at a position like Third base or Starting pitcher. I just dont see Wren sellin low on Frenchy, but this trade proposal that you put looks solid. I dont think the Royals would do this trade but im sure the Braves would do it in a heartbeat heck we might even include Campbell to sweeten the deal. From what JS said in the latest article that came out it seems like 2009 might be Chippers last year with the Braves, not nessasarily but it is a good chance. This trade proposal makes sense for the Braves but not really for the Royals. I think Frenchy will have to have a good year next year to be involved in a Gordon for Frenchy swap, but if Gordon has a monster year next year then no way you do that if your the Royals i guess you could also say the same if Frenchy has a monster season. Anything can happen though.

braves#1

by rockybull on Sep 20, 2008 7:58 PM EDT reply actions

if we can get greinke for him, ALL ABOARD i say

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

by bigjoe on Sep 20, 2008 11:54 PM EDT reply actions

i doubt kc would do this

but if they would, then i’d be all for it.

by son.of.sourman on Sep 21, 2008 4:07 AM EDT reply actions

Bannister.

Jeff Francouer has little to no value. Dreams of Gordon and Grienke will turn into a nightmare when he get much, much less. Bannister is a more likely return.

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

by ejruiz on Sep 21, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

Though..

…I wouldn’t discount that he may have value – to Moore…more so than any other GM. But you’re right, the return for something like this wouldn’t be much. But if a GM likes a player, even if his value might be lower than it actually is.

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by RainDelay on Sep 21, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

You're probably right, but...

If all we can get is Bannister then I think it would be best to hold on to Francoeur.

by soup du jour on Sep 21, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Please, no Bannister. I’m not saying he’s not a decent pitcher, just that I think he’s more of a headcase than Morton. I’d much rather sit through another year of Frenchy than to have him in our rotation.

by scstrato on Sep 21, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

how’s he a headcase? he’s probably the smartest pitcher in the american league.

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

by bigjoe on Sep 21, 2008 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

It's just an opinion

I think he’s OVER thinking on the mound instead of just pitching to the situation. I’m having a hard time finding an explanation for why his HR/9 has almost doubled and he’s given up an extra 52 hits in just 11.2 more innings over last year.

His stuff hasn’t changed, the ballparks haven’t changed and he doesn’t appear to have a significant injury. I’m open to suggestions.

by scstrato on Sep 21, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

he’s not a headcase, he just doesn’t have good stuff, and he tries to overcompensate. if he’s not getting calls, its gonna be a short night for banny.

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

by bigjoe on Sep 21, 2008 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah...how..

..did you come up with headcase? I agree with bigjoe, Banny is one of the smartest pitchers in the American League.

Revisit the Braves World Championship Year, all Season!

You can also check out my stuff at Baseball Digest Daily

by RainDelay on Sep 21, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Completely agree with you

I personally think there’s about a snowballs chance in hell of landing Gordon (or Greinke) for Francoeur, but if a trade of FYF does happen I think it will be with KC.

The thing I found most interesting in your post ejruiz is that you wrote “when” not IF. This was the ultimate goal of my post, try and elicit some feedback as to the mindset of most Braves fans regarding Frenchy and I think this goes to show that some of us DO feel we need to let FYF go (limited value or not).

by scstrato on Sep 21, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

If the best we can get is a #4 starter at his peak, we might as well hang onto Francoeur. People are really underestimating his value right now – his arm alone is worth something like 1-2 wins and his total defense is worth something like 2-3 wins. Even if we set his average offensive worth at a .257 EQA (his career mark) his offense is worth about 2-3 wins. So basically if we assume he’ll stall where he’s at now at 24 offensively, he’s a 5-6 win right fielder for the next three years. If he becomes even a .275 EQA preformer (certainly not out of the question) his offense is worth 4 wins. That’s a nice 6-7 win right fielder.

Bannister’s 2007 was about 6-7 wins worth of value, but his 2008 has been worth about 2 wins worth of value. In 2008 he’s been basically been a 5.10 ERA guy based on his peripherals, up from 4.40 in 2007. That’s not a pitcher I want to bet on being anything better than a #4 starter. And we have future #4s in spades.

by 17843 on Sep 22, 2008 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions

STAT OVERLOAD

I don’t know about all that, but if you can get a very good starting pitcher for Francouer (which you can’t, unless Dayton Moore is a complete moron, or Frank Wren is an evil genius), do it. Otherwise, leave him be. And believe me, i’m no big fan of the golden child, but if he gets better, i will tolerate him. But i do think he should be on a VERY short leash next year. I look for Brandon Jones, a couple of our lower minor league pitchers, and maybe Lillibridge or Blanco to get moved in packages or minor deals. I don’t see any blockbusters happening.

by 10-4 on Sep 22, 2008 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully,

Frank will “spread the wealth” and look under every rock for trade partners (like he says he is). If that’s so, then KC would not be te only interested party (IMHO). I’m not sure you would have to sell low to everyone; every organization has a Francoeur and from time to time trades are made just to “change the scenery”. If the up side (age, potential, etc) is a match elsewhere, then this might be the time to act. I think the same applies to Chipper. He has been a great bonus for the organization for many years and I would hate to see him go, but it’s like the Dale Murphy situation — there comes a time…

by BBFAN46 on Oct 1, 2008 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Kelly Johnson

I had actually though that the Braves would be talking to the Royals but I was thinking it might be for Kelly Johnson . I had actually had the idea of trading Kelly Johnson for Mark Teahan. KJ could be given a chance to play fulltime and not platoon in the AL where I think he would really take off. The Royals would then get a 2B option with legit offensive upside.

The Braves would be a possible fit for 3B, 1B, LF, or RF. Again, he has under produced and could benefit from a change of scenery.

by calbers on Sep 23, 2008 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

Teahen is a four corner guy who hits like a second baseman. And he hasn’t underproduced, he’s just not as good as his one anomalous season where he had a 17% HR/FB when his career number is 11%. Teahen would be a nice lefty half of a third base or left field platoon, but Kelly Johnson is a top ten 2B.

by 17843 on Sep 23, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions