Bradley’s Buzz: Is it time to bid adieu to Frenchy?
Francoeur on the way out?
Last week Mark Bowman, who covers the Braves for MLB.com, speculated openly about the need for the Braves to upgrade their outfield and that Jeff Francouer could soon be on an outbound plane. Included was Bowman’s sobering appraisal: “The Braves aren’t going to get much in return for Francoeur. But they need to at least explore the possibility of moving him before they reach a point during the offseason when they might non-tender him and get absolutely nothing in return for a former top prospect.”
Note the “ouch” phrases: “Aren’t going to get much” and “non-tender him” and, worst of all, “former top prospect.”
About Mr. Bowman: He’s a good guy and a good reporter. He’s not given to flights of fancy. (Unlike, say, me.) If he’s broaching the topic on MLB.com, it stands to reason there’s chatter ongoing within the Braves’ organization. And that might not be a bad thing. As much as I like Francoeur, I think we’re approaching the point where it makes sense — for both parties — to take divergent paths.
Loading ...Bowman suggested Texas might be a destination for Francouer, given that the Rangers have had immediate success with Andruw Jones. (Heck, Francoeur is already working more closely with Rudy Jaramillo, the Rangers’ batting coach, than with Terry Pendleton.) Me, I’d just as soon the Braves never again mess with Texas, trade-wise. But maybe that’s just me.
Are you ready for some football?
Esteemed former colleague Mark Schlabach presents his updated preseason Top 25 on ESPN.com, and he has Georgia Tech (No. 15) rated one spot ahead of Georgia (No. 16). That sounds about right for the latter but too low for the former.
In a companion piece, Schlabach analyzes how each of his ranked teams can improve its standing. He says Tech needs to throw the ball better and Georgia needs to run it more. Me, I suggest the Bulldogs might tighten up the ol’ D as well, but again … maybe that’s just me.
As for Georgia’s opening-game opponent: Schlabach has Oklahoma State ranked No. 10, and Matt Hayes of Sporting News Today lists the Cowboys among his four teams on the rise. OSU, Hayes avers, has “three legitimate Heisman Trophy candidates.” But you know the old saying: Give Willie Martinez eight months to prepare …
The Falcons need outfielders … er, linebackers!
Writing for ESPN.com’s Insider, Bill Barnwell of Football Outsiders — an outsider on the inside; is that even allowed? — counts the Falcons’ outside-linebacking crew as No. 9 on his list of unfilled roster holes. (Link requires registration.) Writes Barnwell: “They wrapped Band-Aids on the problem with converted safety Coy Wire and former Jacksonville middle linebacker Mike Peterson, who will be 33 and hasn’t played outside since 2002. Those aren’t solutions. They’re prayers.”
It’s almost time for Don Waddell to do another draft
And, according to Gare Joyce on ESPN.com, the Thrashers will spend the fourth overall pick on Evander Kane (requires registration), a center from Vancouver of the WHL. This sounds OK to me, center being a key hockey position and all. But I still haven’t gotten over the Falcons’ failure to draft Evander “Ziggy” Hood, and I fear the presence of another Evander on the Atlanta sports scene would only deepen my depression.
My personal issues aside, here’s a capsule rundown of Kane from Hockey’s Future. And below, from NHL.com via YouTube, is a video feature.
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282 comments Add your comment
yogi2
May 25th, 2009
8:34 pm
Bobby Cox love affair with Francoer and Shafer makes me sick. Lou Pinella would be my choice for manager
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2009
8:36 pm
Lou Piniella, huh?
Ripped again.
May 25th, 2009
8:39 pm
Francoer and Shafer are easy outs the other teams know it ,thats the scouting report
Paul Lentz
May 25th, 2009
8:44 pm
The Braves already have a potential replacement for Franceour this season. Omar Infante. From what I hear, Infante’s broken hand should be healed by the All-Star Break. I agree, the Braves have no one to replace Franceour right now. But if Franceour hasnt starting hitting with power by the All-Star Break, I’d start Infante in right and either send Franceour down to the minors and bring up a back up infielder replacement….or trade him for one. Twice today Franceour came up with the base loaded, once with no outs, the other with one out. Both times he struck out. I agree totally with either trading Franceour in the offseason or non tendering him, if he is still around. As I said yesterday, if Franceour gets a hit to right, it’s a single. If he tries to pull, it’s either a ground out to short or a strike out. Young, power hitting players are supposed to improve (Ryan Howard) in their arbitration, not regress. Baseball is a sport of making adjustments. It took teams 2 1/2 years to figure out how to pitch Franceour. In the past year and a half, Franceour has not made the necessary adjustments to keep giving him playing time. 11 homers last year in 600 plate appearances. 3 this year. PATHETIC. Jordon Schaffer has struggled, but he does draws walks, unlike Franceour. Schaffer is a rookie who is working on making adjustments. A team can afford to have one defensive standout whose offense is light. NOT TWO. Schaffer has potential. Franceour, does not. A slump does not last a year and a half.
Mitch
May 25th, 2009
8:46 pm
Mark, I’m not sure I’m with you on this one. Granted, 265, 3 and 21 are not what you want from your RF who is supposed to be a power hitter, especially when the Braves historically have had guys like Murph. (After his move from center) Justice, Jordan, and Sheff at the position.
The problem I see is this: You talk about Matt Holliday. Fine, so let’s say we can get Holliday. What happens then in 2010? Garrett Anderson is old, Schaffer is in center, so you would probably need Diaz to play left, and you’d have Jordan in Center. Who plays right field for us in 2010, if we trade Jeff for Holliday?
I certainly dont like the idea of a right fielder hitting 260 for a full season, with 10 homers, and 60 RBI, which is what it would average out to for a full year, but Frenchy plays every day, and is good defensively.
Any other ideas besides Holliday?
Mitch
freshd
May 25th, 2009
8:53 pm
How about trading FRENCHY to MINNESOTA for either DELMON YOUNG or DENARD SPAN.
Fred
May 25th, 2009
8:58 pm
Look, Francoeur is not even good defensively. He is mediocre at best. He has a great arm, but he takes terrible paths to the ball and does not run particularly well. He is really not a MLB player right now. It is frustrating to watch.
Julia
May 25th, 2009
9:01 pm
Trade him for a SHRIMP SAMMICH. I say move him now. That last violent swing with the bases loaded showed he will not adjust to play team baseball. All that was needed was contact.
Did Chipper really ask out today after Bobby penciled him in the lineup? He must have a really sore toe. Maybe he needs a good SHRIMP SAMMICH.
Paul Lentz
May 25th, 2009
9:02 pm
The reason why Franceour has 21 RBI’s is because the other RBI guys who are up there with him (Chipper, McCann, Escobar) have all missed time with injuries. Franceour comes up in RBI situations a lot. He gets the occasional hit, however he leaves way too many runners on base, kills too many rallies, and does not do what it takes to even make productive outs (Sac fly, grounder to second to move runner to third, etc). However the most telling stat is the number of plate appearances (170 at bats, 5 walks with 24 strikeouts) vs. home runs (3). That averages out to be one home run for every 79 at bats. Pathetic. I’m a Braves fan first and foremost. If I had to choose between loyalty to a player and the organization……I’d choose the organization because I’ll still be a Braves fan long after any of these players are gone and retired. Dont get me wrong, I want the Braves to take care of and treat right the good, productive players. I just dont want to see money wasted on past their prime players like Smoltz and Glavine. Chipper Jones, while prone to injuries, is still a feared hitter who produces when he plays. Franceour plays everyday and produces very little. I think that many Braves fans are like a stock trader is with a “promising” piece of stock. Dude is afraid that if he trades his shares that the company will turn around and he’ll miss out on the price of the stock going through the roof. However, how often does that happen? If it looks like s___, if it smells like s___, then it must be s___. Holding out on Franceour, waiting for him to turn around is simply not smart. When Infante comes back, Franceour needs to be replaced.
j. harris
May 25th, 2009
9:05 pm
everyone is talking about how bad the falcon lb’s are going to be. i don’t remember anyone saying anything about a lb the birds drafted in the fourth or fifth round in 08 from arizona. he carried the nickname of the beast, robert james. this young man can play. does no one else remember him? i might be wrong, but i don’t so.
Paul Lentz
May 25th, 2009
9:13 pm
Today Vasquez struggled, and still went 6 innings. Last year, other than Jurrgens, the Braves considered 6 innings from any other started to be a “great” game, lol. I’m not worried about the starting pitching. I’m going to tomorrow’s game (I live in San Francisco, however I grew up in Arkansas following the Braves on TBS). I have the MLB Extra Innings package because I like to watch every game. Kris Medlen has good stuff. Sure he struggled in his first start. However I love the movement on his pitches. Give him e few more starts. I’d rather give him a chance to earn that 5th starter’s spot (after all, the other 4 starters are going deep into games and the bullpen can take some of the slack if Medlen struggles for a few starts)…..than I would continuing giving Franceour a chance to kill rally after rally. And if Medlen doesnt pan out, then give Tommy Hansen a shot. I will be sorely disappointed if the Braves give in to sentimental pressure and add Glavine to the roster. I’d rather use the 3-4 mil that he is due if he is added to the roster and stays for the rest of the season…..towards adding a power hitting outfielder. As I said yesterday, I feel that with the economy the way it is, more teams than you imagine will be looking to trade players. They will either accept trades that shed salary in return for a few marginal prospects…or…paying part of the salary of the player being traded for a few decent prospects. However I do not anticipate any trades where premium prospects are traded for a stud home run hitter this summer. It will be a buyer’s market.
Jacob
May 25th, 2009
9:14 pm
they are all hardnosed baseball players until they reach the majors and they get a big head while making a fortune of money. Braves dont have enough money to spend to get anyone, so Bobby has to play with what he has. I do not not think Frenchy is selfish at all, he has been under pressure since high school. maybe even earlier than that. He is a Godly man, and if it doesnt work out in Atl it’s bound to work somewhere else. i still think we need a better hitting coach.
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2009
9:16 pm
Robert James is still on the roster. He didn’t play in any games last season. But he’s indeed known as The Beast.
freshd
May 25th, 2009
9:24 pm
If they are not gonna trade FRENCHY, move him to center and call up BRANDON JONES to play right because SCHAFER is killing the BRAVES too. He has 55 strikeouts in 146 at bats, and he needs a little seasoning in AAA. The BRAVES rushed him to the majors too fast, and the worst thing to happen to SCHAFER was hitting that homerun in his first at bat. He has been swinging for the fences every since.
pete nose
May 25th, 2009
9:24 pm
Jeff will become a great player someday.If the Braves trade him it will be a big mistake on thier part.jeff is not the only problem with the braves outfield.Trading him will not fix the problem.He needs to cut loose and get in a fight in the dug out and start cussing and chewing tobacco and raiseing hell.All the great players do that.
Michael Owen
May 25th, 2009
9:24 pm
Dump Garrett, sorry but he is done. Here are some possible gambles that wouldn’t cost that much:
1) Cameron Maybin – Yes, slumping and demoted to AAA, but he would be cheap and shows lots of promise. Unload JoJo or an equivalent.
2) Uggla – Once again, slumping. Trade JoJo and Morton for him. Move Kelley to Left, drop Garrett, and hope Uggla preforms better in ATL than Florida.
Paul Lentz
May 25th, 2009
9:26 pm
Jacob, as a sports fan, I could care less if Franceour is a “godly man” or if he is a “good guy”. I want a player who will produce and help the Braves win. PERIOD. Also, so what if he has been under pressure since high school? If he cant handle the pressure, then he needs to find another profession. Athletes are paid well because they have skills and can perform under pressure in ways that the average man cant. Franceour is being paid 3.4 mil this year to do what? Hit 3 homers in 175 plate appearances? If the Braves are foolish enough to offer him arbitration next year, then he will surely “command” a salary in the 5-6 mil neighborhood. He is not woth the 3.4 mil that he is getting this year. Why risk having to pay him more next year. Next year the Braves will have some payroll flexibility. Soriano’s $6.4 mil, Franceour’s 3.4 (if he isnt tendered), Hudson’s $15.5 (if his $12 mil option is declined, then the Braves will only own him $1 mil), and Garret Anderson’s $2.5 mil….all come off the books. That adds up to almost $27 mil in contracts coming off the books. If Soriano was wiling to accept a contract in the $5 mil a year range, then the Braves would be smart to make that happen. If not, then use the whole $27 mil in savings to sign or trade for a couple of outfielders who can hit. The Braves can afford to be patient and wait for the right trade to cross their path.
Shamus Thacker
May 25th, 2009
9:29 pm
Mark, your timing for this article couldn’t have been better if Frenchy had TOLD YOU he was gonna be lousy today. lol Like some kinda savant or sumpthin…
EdtheMan
May 25th, 2009
9:32 pm
Frenchy needs to lose some weight. When he came up he was thin, could run, stole some bases, and was athletic. Now, he is over weight, slow in the outfield, can’t steal a base, and could you imagine him playing defensive back in college or in the NFL right now with no athletism? Why did he think he had to get bigger? He was a much better player and a stronger player when he was smaller. Who is the Braves conditioning coach?
Paul Lentz
May 25th, 2009
9:34 pm
pete_nose, what do you base your “Franceour will be a great player” assumption on? The splash he made in his first half season? The 29 homers he hit in 2006? Dude, his progress has regressed. 19 homers in 2007, 11 in 2008, and 3 so far this year. 10 homers and 60 RBI’s and 15 walks is not going to cut it this year. Look, I would love to see Franceour turn it around. That would be one less need to fill. However, I just dont see it happening. I watched almost every Braves game the last 4 years (2 years online, last year and this year on the MLB package on Direct TV). Franceour has regressed big time. Time after time again, he fails to produce. Like I have said previously, when Infante comes back at the All-Star Break, I would hope that Bobby Cox puts him in right field.
Josh
May 25th, 2009
9:34 pm
I tired of all the whining about Elvis Andrus and the horrible trades the braves make. Most of you liked the trade at the time and it didn’t work out how we wanted it to, but lets MOVE ON! Bad trades are part of the game and many of them go our way, how about Edgar Renteria for Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez? Jurrjens is probably the most untouchable player in our entire system, even more so than Brian McCann.
As for Frenchy time is past up and the same is true for Bobby. You have got to get that kid out of right field as soon as possible. I would much rather see Brandon Jones out there everyday and im sure he would have as many homeruns and a much higher OBP than Frenchy. Time to go JF7 but your personality will be missed.
Josh
May 25th, 2009
9:39 pm
and Schafers OBP is about 40 points higher than Jeff’s, now thats PATHETIC!
Shamus Thacker
May 25th, 2009
9:39 pm
If I were writing tomorrow’s column, it’d be on Schafer… lol Odds are pretty good you’d strike gold there too…
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2009
9:41 pm
Usually when I write something less than complimentary about a player the guy hits three home runs the next night. Don’t go giving me any credit, Shamus, because I’ve got the world’s worst timing.
Shamus Thacker
May 25th, 2009
9:47 pm
Me toooo… lol
RHR
May 25th, 2009
9:48 pm
If they are not gonna trade FRENCHY, move him to center
Are you kidding me? Frenchy as a CF’er is the most hilarious suggested role for him since….The Natural!
FlaBravo
May 25th, 2009
9:53 pm
You can’t trade him as you’ll only get something equal to or less than what we have. He needs to be sent to the minors to work on his swing and his head. He’s hurting the Braves, and he needs to go away…Now.
O'brien
May 25th, 2009
9:58 pm
Mr. Bradley,
At what point do we give Jordan Schafer a day off? He is hitting .205 (although he has a higher OBP than Francoeur).
Shamus Thacker
May 25th, 2009
10:01 pm
Baseball ain’t the only job one can get in the Braves organization. Frenchy has the kinda natural cordiality that makes a fine usher. If he can learn how to ush, that is…
Wellman could be brought in as ushing coach. Patrons would do anything Frenchy said with his constant bawling under Wellman’s tutelage…
Paul Lentz
May 25th, 2009
10:03 pm
Mark Bradley, I’m sure that you dont need for me to say this, but I’ll say it anyway. With some fans, you simply cant win. Some fans will latch onto a player, for whatever reason, and be blindly loyal to that player, no matter how much he is killing the team. I loved Dale Murphy. I grew up in the 80’s a Dale Murphy fan. However, I’m also a BIG Braves fan. Trading Murphy allowed David Justice a chance to play. Granted, while we may not have a David Justice right now, we have a Omar Infante who has shown that he can hit when he plays. If Franceour hasnt turned it around by the All-Star break, assuming Infante has healed his broken hand by then…then give his job to Infante. No reasonable fan can tell me that having Infante’s offense in the Braves line-up isnt a DRASTIC improvement over what Franceour is doing. If our starting pitching holds up this summer, then we cannot afford to have “easy, unproductive out” Franceour killing rallies in the line-up.
Kenny
May 25th, 2009
10:16 pm
Has anyone ever considered replacing Terry Pendleton? All the players that struggle with their hitting here in Atlanta never seem to get it fixed (by the hitting coach) when things are going tuff. If the managers lose their job because they’re not winning……….why don’t the “hitting coaches” lose theirs when he can’t fix the players problem(s)?
ltdbrave
May 25th, 2009
10:22 pm
Someone want to tell me why Terry Pendelton still has a job? I put blame on him for the poor offensive production. Why is Chipper tutoring Schaefer and not Pendelton? Why does Frenchy seek out help from Jaramillo and not from Pendelton? Pendelton is the hitting coach, isn’t he? How about getting a hitting coach who knows something about hitting mechanics!
Shamus Thacker
May 25th, 2009
10:27 pm
Pendleton’s hitting style was so unorthodox that I don’t think it translated well into coaching.
A Rafael Belliard/Brad Komminsk coaching tandem would be an improvement at this point…
alponso
May 25th, 2009
10:36 pm
Ever heard of Jermaine Dye? or…(another sport) Bret Farve or more former Hawks than can be mentioned. Get rid of him, make him an all star.
pete nose
May 25th, 2009
10:39 pm
paul Lentz—I respect your thoughts on Franceour.However i think giving up on a player thats 25 years old is kind of jumping the gun.franceour has shown the grit and gut to gidder done when he first came up.He will again.He’s not the kind of player to settle for less.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 25th, 2009
10:42 pm
Matt Holliday is 29 and in decline. And pigs can fly. Supes the stuff you regurgitate is just retarded.
Dawgtime
May 25th, 2009
10:43 pm
Trade Chipper, Trade Chipper, Trade Chipper… Chipper has lost his passion for the game. He is constantly battling questionable injuries. When he performs poorly it is always excused by a new injury. I don’t believe the guy is hurt. IMO, he just doesn’t want to play the game. He is highly regarded and would garner a great return from a contender.
Rich
May 25th, 2009
10:45 pm
I’m not ready to trade Francoeur yet but I am past ready to sit him for a while. The bigger problem is what about Schafer? He is average is near the Mendoza line and how did the Braves get themselves the position of not having a suitable backup for him? He is losing confidence by the minute. I put a lot of blame on Cox and Pendleton for not being able help Schafer and Francoeur out. Why does Frenchy have to go to Texas for help? Does he not listen to his coaches. How can this be?
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2009
10:46 pm
That’s the chance a team takes when it trades a big-time talent: He could turn into an MVP somewhere else. (Brett Favre was MVP of the NFL, Jermaine Dye MVP of the 2005 World Series.) But there comes a time when a team has to ask, “Are we apt to get any more from this player?” If the answer’s no, then there’s no reason to keep him.
Shamus Thacker
May 25th, 2009
10:54 pm
Right-On Mark… He may very well blossom again somewhere else, the bud’s fell off the bush here…
Shamus Thacker
May 25th, 2009
10:57 pm
You’re right Mark. He may very well re-blossom somewhere else. The bud’s fallen from the bush here.
Shamus Thacker
May 25th, 2009
10:58 pm
Well, I’m drunk and an idiot, I’m going to bed….
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2009
10:58 pm
As for Jordan Schafer: I’d be surprised if he doesn’t sit out tomorrow’s game. How much worse can you do than 0-for-4 with four strikeouts?
As for the Komminsk/Belliard coaching duo, let’s throw in Corky Miller and make it a triumverate.
Shamus Thacker
May 25th, 2009
10:59 pm
LOL@MB
Adios Amigos!
Rich
May 25th, 2009
11:01 pm
Mark, do the Braves have a centerfielder in AAA or AA that can come in a play while they sit Schafer? He batting about 60 points less than Frenchy and strikes out every time they have runners in scoring position.
frank
May 25th, 2009
11:08 pm
i have had one trade on my mind for a couple weeks.. it won´t help th outfield but will give us some power.. how about casey kotchman, charlie morton and another prospect for adrian gonzalez??.. the guy hits over 30 homers and 110 rbi per season at least!!.. comments anyone
Supes
May 25th, 2009
11:09 pm
Coach,
LOOK UP the numbers from Matt Holliday (away from Coors Field) and get back to me. Average AT BEST, considering what it’s going to COST to acquire him for a 3 MONTH rental. Do not kid yourself, he is NOT going to be signing here (if that were to happen). It’ll be Mark Texiera (or there about 3 for 1 is what the A’s will want most likely).
Why are you so STUCK on a guy who is due to sign a long term contract when in reality the Braves need a younger player at that position who is cheaper or already signed to a lesser deal than what Holliday will demand?
Unreal, the baseball stupidity exhibited by you today sir, sometimes you have good posts on the DOB blog, others you sound like you don’t understand baseball economics 101!
Oh, and on que…Jeff completely STUNK up today’s game with his pathetic performance with runners on base. Good time for the Poll and the blog Mark. Keep it up!
Smithoma
May 25th, 2009
11:10 pm
Lets look at a new angle here. How much talent has come through the Braves organization and had struggles at the plate in the last – for timely purposes – say four years?
Schafer, Francouer, Druw Jones, etc….
At what point do we look at TP to create results? Who has he really developed and turned around the way Leo used to with pitchers struggling?
I say trade Jeff. It is a tragic story but he should’ve been traded middle of last year. Defended by his teammates that its commonplace to get PAID your arbitration year, the guy did demand more money after not producing and whine about being sent to the minors.
Lets make sure it makes sense though. Maybe getting put on the block will finally scare him into taking a few first pitches. Hopefully it works out best for the Braves and if a trade makes sense Wren can make it happen and if not Jeff gets scared into hitting the ball
Anyone see Baseball Tonight?
May 25th, 2009
11:11 pm
Gammons did a segment on Frenchy. Basically said he was rushed to the majors, whcih really ended up hurting his plate disicpline. He also said releasing him would be stupid, because someone like the Royals would immediatlely pick him up (I think those two thoughts are mutally exclusive though). Finally, Gammons thinks that the more that Frenchy plays, the better he will become to being a good everyday major leaguer.
I tend to agree with the majority of posters here, we can’t wait forever for Frenchy to come around. We need to move on.
Paul Lentz
May 25th, 2009
11:14 pm
Pete_nose…..having grit isnt enough to excel in the Majors. Also, Franceour being 25 does not mean that he should be given all the chances in the world to turn it around. What should be the determining factor is his skill….and…..his willingness to make adjustments and be productive in the Majors. Again, I would rather that Franceour be a great player. However, after watching him produce one unproductive at-bat after another the past couple of years, I feel that he simply will not ever be the kind of player that will justify the kind of salary increases that salary arbitration will surely give him.
Dawgtime, trading Chipper is simply an insane idea. Chipper wants to win. Dude gets hurts, it happens in sports. However when he plays, he produces. He is still a feared hitter.
I want to see the Braves win. I also want to see the Braves wisely spend payroll dollars on players who are actually worth the money. That is why I hope that the Braves do not add Glavine to the roster. Again, I cant imagine him being anything more than a 5-6 inning kind of guy, if that. I have visions of him throwing pitch after pitch, trying to nibble the corners, and end up having to leave the game in the 4th inning after throwing 90-100 pitches. For that kind of production, the Braves would be better off having Medlen…or…if he fails, Hanson competing for that 5th spot in the rotation. They are far cheaper, with a bigger upside…and the 3-4 mil could be used to acquire a right handed power bat if one becomes available at a reasonable price.