Comments on: Francoeur returns! (and he shouldn’t have ever left)

By: Frank Shaffer

Frank Shaffer — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:03:46 +0000

I’ve been a die-hard Braves fan since they were in Boston and in all these years I can only think of one mid-year trade that worked for them and the stadium didn’t burn completely down. The braves have a history of giving up way to early on young players, Jeff is just the latest. Btw has anyone seen Barker lateky?

By: Braves Mom

Braves Mom — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:48:28 +0000

I applaud Wren for not holding onto the sentimental favorites at the expense of hurting the club, at least he is looking forward, not back. I wish Frenchy well, not against the Braves, but really think he needed a change. Most stories like his are just too good to be true, which turned out to be reality for Jeff the Braves.

By: PMC

PMC — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:35:07 +0000

This is easy Jeff. You trade him because he’s not worth the money you are going to have to pay him the next year and he’s blocking a guy you think can help you further.

Francouer has a huge POTENTIAL upside if he can get right. He’s been here long enough now to prove that it was probably not going to happen here. They traded him for Church… because that’s the best they could get…. and he doesn’t ruin future plans.

By: wawel78

wawel78 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:28:26 +0000

Disagree Chris. Nothing wrong with disagreeing with Jeff but he’s got good opinions. Keep going strong with the columns Jeff!

By: Chris M

Chris M — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:16:39 +0000

Jeff…. do you work for the AJC? I and everyone on this blog knows that you do! So don’t tell me that if I subscribe to the AJC that I don’t help pay for your salary. You are just making yourself look bad(like that doesn’t happen often!). I have never liked reading your articles but decided to give you a chance on the blogs. But I can’t handle your “lack of knowledge” views. If someone disagrees with you then you attack! Why don’t you learn from the other sports writers that number one knows something about sports and second don’t get so touchy when someone disagrees.
Well I have canceled my subscription to the AJC and when they call they will know why.I will let them decide if I help pay your salary. Do us all a favor and switch to weather or something.
I am off your site for good!!!!!

By: Tobey

Tobey — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:29:13 +0000

Hmmm, 0-4………

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:49:39 +0000

Jeff – you said Church is “with his fourth team in six seasons.” That’s technically not correct in that you are double-counting the Expos and Nationals. He was on the Expos when they went down to DC so I don’t think you can call that a team change in the same sense as getting traded.

By: wawel78

wawel78 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:46:07 +0000

Thank you yellerjacket. When can we start blaming it on the players lack of performance?

I read an interesting article from a math professor @ KSU written in 2006 saying how bad JF was going to be if he didn’t become a more disciplined hitter. That guy deserves a pat on the back for predicting the future.

By: yellerjacket

yellerjacket — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:02:25 +0000

Folks, I hate to break it to you, but hitting coaches in the major leagues are not there to teach a player to hit. Coaches, just like Terry Pendleton, are there to make sure the players maintain consistency in their swings, keep the appropriate mental approach to plate appearances, provide scouting reports on upcoming pitching matchups, and potentially help the PROFESSIONAL hitter tweak their swing or approach when mired in a slump that lasts over a few too many games.

You don’t teach MAJOR LEAGUE PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYERS to hit at the show. You shouldn’t be expected to teach them a strike zone, pitch selectivity, or pitch recognition. That better be there when they get there or their career will flame out when pitchers realize they are sitting on fastballs down the middle.

Francouer was much more than a tweak away from being productive again. Pendleton did not ruin Francouer. The kid hasn’t been able to hit for a year and a half plus. You learn to hit in high school, college (which Francouer opted not to attend), and the minors (where Francouer was fast-tracked).

Steroid speculation aside, Francouer proved himself time and time again to not be able to CONSISTENTLY be selective at the plate, make solid contact with hittable pitches (double plays galore), and on top of that, his bat was slow. Unless, Jeff guessed correctly and got a jump on a fastball, he can’t catch up to the cheese and he can’t recognize breaking pitches early enough. He’s a hacker. Granted he’s a hacker with a seed slinging arm, injury proof body, and very good defense, but a hacker nonetheless. There are successful hackers in the Bigs, but they have the bat speed of Vlad Guerrero, not Francouer.

By: Reid Adair

Reid Adair — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:59:10 +0000

Jeff, I agree. While I don’t think that Jeff Francoeur was ever going to get it turned around in Atlanta, I also don’t believe Ryan Church is a trade acquisition that automatically makes this team a playoff contender.

And, as you said, why make a trade that doesn’t help you make the playoffs?