All-Trade Friday: Should the Braves deal Jeff Francoeur?
I thought it would work. I thought Jeff Francoeur would remember how to hit and the masses would forget he’d forgotten and all would be bliss for the hometown kid and the team of his dreams. But it’s not working, and I’ve come to believe it won’t.
Too much has happened. He got too big too fast. It wasn’t his fault. He was great from the moment of his big-league arrival in July 2005 and we — meaning the fans and the media and the Braves themselves — loved him and reveled in every detail of his charmed young life. But then, after two mostly solid full seasons, he stopped hitting. And everything changed.
Francoeur was upset when the Braves sent him to Class AA on the Fourth of July. “I don’t think there’s any way I can [feel as warmly toward the organization] 100 percent,” he said in February. “I want to play here forever; I’ve said that all along. But the business part of it is different.”
The Braves weren’t thrilled when Francoeur went to Texas to work with Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. Said Terry Pendleton, the Braves’ hitting coach: “I asked Jeff, ‘Why didn’t you come to me?’ Obviously he felt the need to go elsewhere. It’s his winter. [But] it bugged me at first. Not hearing it from him, that got me more than anything. I told him, ‘I thought our relationship was better than that.’ ”
Loading ...Where once there was sunshine, there’s distrust and frustration. The Braves wonder if Francoeur can be coached. Francoeur wonders if the Braves have his best interests at heart. He tries too hard and falls back on bad habits. The Braves drop him in the order and struggle to be patient. And here he is, batting. 245 with a microscopic on-base percentage of .280. He’s on pace to finish with 11 homers and 71 RBIs — same as he did last year.
I thought it would work, but it isn’t working and I don’t believe it will again. Francoeur and the Braves need fresh starts. He needs to go somewhere where every swing and miss doesn’t stir civic angst. The Braves need a right fielder whose persona doesn’t outstrip production. Both parties need to breathe deeply again.
I would hate it if Francoeur played elsewhere. I’ve known him since he was a junior at Parkview — he remains the greatest high school football player I’ve seen in 25 years at the AJC — and he’s a fine fellow who tries to accommodate everyone. But I’d hate it more to see this psychodrama drag into August and beyond. It’s time for both sides to cut their losses. It’s time to trade Frenchy.
What could the Braves get for him? Probably not all that much, but that’s not really the point . They’d be better off without him, and he without them. He could slip into another uniform and be someone other than the homegrown Golden Child. He could relax. He could just go play ball again, as opposed to feeling compelled to sign every autograph and pose for every picture.
I am, as we know, wrong about everything, and I wouldn’t mind being wrong about this. I’d love to see Francoeur become the Francoeur we all thought he’d be, but the time for that seems past. I don’t see a happy ending for this player in this city with this team. Wish I did, but I don’t.
Other installments: Should the Thrashers trade Ilya Kovalchuk? And also: Should the Hawks trade Josh Smith?
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476 comments Add your comment
rabiddawg
June 12th, 2009
10:46 am
Why get on GA for loafing?? He seems to me to fit right in with the rest of this heartless team. Look, the supposed leader never hustles on hits for fear that he might pull his hammy or toe, or get dizzy or whatever ailment he has this week. Fielding is an issue, and has been consistantly over the past few years. The same non productive lineup is continuously trotted out there every night with the hopes that they will produce a different outcome (definition of insanity). That says it all. How do you kill a snake? You cut off the head….. FW needs to start the transition with BC. Until new leadership with HEART and FIRE, is in place we will still be a 500 to sub 500 club. We used to be the envy of every franchise and evryone wanted to play in Atlanta. Now we are nothing more than a bargaining chip for players to get their money. TP must go next. An earlier poster mentioned this.. What does that say when your only productive hitters use their dads as hitting coaches in the MAJOR LEAGUES.. For the past few years I have not attended any Braves games for the simple reason that I can not be an enabeler. My money will not be used to supplement this atrocious production. I know, I’m a horrible fan.. yeah right. Spare me. Until the rest of you so called Braves fans follow suit, the same heartless lineup will be put out there.
Carl
June 12th, 2009
10:46 am
beau, I sam with you. Cannot stand to watch Anderson “play”. He doesn’t want to be there it is obvious. Agree on Matt Diaz – he hustles, us clutch, and is hitting around .275 which on this team of hackers is equivalent to .300.
brave1
June 12th, 2009
10:46 am
I agree with everything except the argument that he has too much pressure here. Isn’t it the oposite? Doesn’t he have a built in buffer with many of the fans?
Perhaps a change of scenery would help but local pressure is just another excuse. Maybe he simply isn’t that good.
Wes
June 12th, 2009
10:48 am
Mark, I heard the Red Sox were offering a gallon of Boston Baked Beans to every citizen of Atlanta for Francoeur. If this is true, don’t the Braves have to jump on it? This far exceeds his value to the Braves, so they should strongly consider it.
Chipper H
June 12th, 2009
10:49 am
Honestly, I think JF screwed himself when he turned down the long term contract that McCann accepted. He thought he was worth more than that, and went out and psyched himself out…Trying to prove he was worth mega millions, meanwhile McCann accepted the deal and has made the all star team every year. Thats when I lost respect for him, when he proved he was all about the money and the fame, instead of taking the good deal and proving he was worth it; Then he had the audacity to question being sent down to the minors. He’s not even close to being worth what he’s being paid this year, every time I see him with that cocky little smile on his face, I cringe. To think he idolized Dale Murphy, but obviously only Murph’s numbers, not his ethics or humility.
Carl
June 12th, 2009
10:49 am
Agree rabid, Cox needs to be put out to pasture. A nice ceremony for his years of service, a gold watch, then lets get someone in here who knows how to fill out a lineup card and does more than stand on the dugout step saying “c’mon playersname-y”.
JD
June 12th, 2009
10:50 am
I stood up for Francoeur for awhile. Even while seemingly everybody was calling for his head, I’d say “he’s got too much natural ability” or “don’t trade him because hit potential is far higher than his trade value.”
But I just can’t take watching him “hit” anymore. We’ve been singing this song for a year and a half now…it’s not suddenly going to change overnight.
Marcus
June 12th, 2009
10:50 am
MB,
Since you are doing this all-trade thing……even though we are riding the wave of a surprise ‘08 season for the Falcons, any nuggets/trades that may make sense, even if for general team improvement, not a fan polarizing figure like the 3 you will post today?
Jamal Anderson may be one candidate if you decide to dangle a Falcons one. He might be the most controversial/maligned Falcon currently.
nick manning
June 12th, 2009
10:50 am
We need to trade Frenchy. Watching him bat hurts more every time.
Poorjeff
June 12th, 2009
10:51 am
The fans were sold a lemon.
PR made Jeff F out to be the” second coming.” But he turns out like Brad K. to be a “EDSEL”.
Oz
June 12th, 2009
10:52 am
Good column without too much bashing.The problem? Teach the kid the STRIKE ZONE-work with him on explosive training with reflexes like he first had.Should a potential football safety be that slow and not steal bases? Work on the ENTIRE package and use a heaver bat afterwards like Chipper.Then get rid of the lazy I don”t care attitude of Garrett Anderson.
matt r
June 12th, 2009
10:52 am
Yes
Pete nose
June 12th, 2009
10:52 am
The Braves GM needs to clean house. from the manager to the bat boy and start over.
raymond
June 12th, 2009
10:55 am
Waiting too long. After last year we could have traded him and teams would have thought it was just an off year, but now he will not have much value.
Adam
June 12th, 2009
10:57 am
Join the trade francoeur facebook group. AND INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=539176366&ref=ts#/group.php?gid=97934811883&ref=ts
Matt
June 12th, 2009
10:57 am
I think that he ends up being part of a package deal that brings us another right fielder. Maybe a three-way trade with the Sox, the Braves, and maybe the Indians? I know that the Indians were interested in Brad Penny while we are pretty much set at starting pitching. I just don’t know who they might send to us besides Mark DeRosa. Not exactly an upgrade there, right?
Navigator
June 12th, 2009
10:57 am
I agree with the trade, because he cannot help the Braves. Sadly, I think his future in the majors may be in jeopardy long term. He’s the golden boy who had starred all of his life, but is proving not able to adapt to the competition at this level. Remember Giles, who also made the all star team one year, and is no longer starting in the major leagues. Secondly, a player he over shadowed earlier in his life is now a long time all star and he is not. Some people’s ego cannot handle that kind of thing happening.
SimpleDawg
June 12th, 2009
10:58 am
It’s settled then….send Frenchy to Gwinnett. Tell him to check his fragile ego and petulant attitude at the door, roll up his sleeves and focus on the fundamentals of hitting.
I wonder what Frenchy was thinking after Adam LaRouche ( completely fooled by the pitch and off balance ) hit that ball up the middle to seal the deal in yesterday’s game….Lucky or a great piece of hitting by a guy who was just trying to get a hit ?
DMac
June 12th, 2009
10:58 am
Don’t you think that this issue with Jeff Franceour is just a symptom of a more fundamental problem with the organization? I submit that the real problem is the lack of a real owner. Only the nebulous nature of Corporate ownership permits such idiotic management behavior as we have seen in the Braves organization. If the team had a real owner to hold them accountable, then I submit that Bobby Cox would never, ever, have been allowed to permit Franceour to play at such a miserable level of performance, for such an extended period of time.
ERich42
June 12th, 2009
11:00 am
DMac are you stupid or sleeping with Frenchy. The fact that he is not listening to his on hitting coach could very well be his spoiled a*ss problem. This kid is nothing but a great High School star. He has done nothing for the Braves. Then his punk a** had the adacity to ask for more money this year I say out right cut the brat.
Pal Joey
June 12th, 2009
11:00 am
It seems there are several players with this Braves team who need a new horizon. Production by the offense is…well…offensive. First base, second base, right field to name a few. Some better middle inning relief pitching would also help. Jeff seems not to be able to accept coaching. His arrogant reaction to being sent back to AA last year was telling. Given the fact that he had become pretty much an automatic out or double play candidate at every bat, his perceived sense of entitlement was nothing short of amazing. Maybe TP is part of the problem since so many batters seem to have trouble in that area, But Francoeur needs a change of scenery. Too bad. He had such potential, but it is unlikely that potential will ever be reached here in Atlanta..
NC Braves Fan
June 12th, 2009
11:00 am
Cameron – loved your take on things at 10:06am. Doesn’t change my mind in regards to dealing Jeff now because it’s just time to move on … but I appreciated that you offered the background and insight that you did.
It’s sad to see someone struggle as mightily as he has – work as hard as he has to snap out of it – and to get bashed unmercifully in the process.
rabiddawg
June 12th, 2009
11:00 am
Matt, I hope you were being sarcastic about Dero. I have always stated that he was one of my favorite Braves because he seemed gritty and to always hustle. I mean he has what 10 HR this year. I saw that last night he went 3 for 3.
jake
June 12th, 2009
11:00 am
You’ve got it backwards, MB. It’s not that Francoeur is hopeless or needs new surroundings, and it’s not that the Braves don’t — and haven’t — had talent. The talent is there and has been. But the on-field management team — Cox, Pendleton, et al — has lost the ability to communicate, motivate and inspire the talent.
Cox may be a great, old school manager, but it’s clear he’s unable to keep young players motivated and on top of their game. Pendleton’s old school, and got way too much ego. The best hitters — Jones and McCann — are coached by their fathers. After three years of TP, who can blame Francoeur for trying something new? Look what happened to Andruw Jones.
Collectively, the Braves’ on-field management is old, stodgy, tired and unimaginative. Bobby may be a great guy, but he was never a great manager — one World Series title with all that pitching? — and he’s just going through the motions now.
That dugout needs a total makeover, and has for the past 2-3 years.
Poorjeff
June 12th, 2009
11:00 am
Agree Carl and others on Bobby “Jean” Cox….Give him a big day with all the fireworks etc. and kick him upstairs with VP title ,do nothing job.. Then the Braves can get on with putting a winner on the field. New Mgr. New staff, new attitute … let’s roll……
Astro Joe
June 12th, 2009
11:02 am
Didn’t Frenchy hit a meaningless HR in his first game with the Braves? I recall that Andruw Jones put us ahead with a homer and a few batters later, Frenchy added a cherry on top. The next day, Frenchy got all the love and Andruw’s game winning dinger was an after thought. And so begun the fable of one of the most overhyped player in this city’s history. Oh and meanwhile, McCann is a top 3 catcher in the MLB. Here’s hoping that Hanson/Medlan don’t become the pitching version of Frenchy/McCann… with one getting all of the early love but the other, ultimately, delivering the most on-field value.
DMac
June 12th, 2009
11:03 am
ERich42, if you’ll look at my post of 10:40, I think you’ll see that I’m no Franceour supporter. I’m simply making an observation about the mishandling of his situation being symptomatic of the dysfunction in the organization.
Mine This Bird
June 12th, 2009
11:04 am
Why does everything involving Francouer have to sound like we’re married to the guy? He’s a stubborn brat and he won’t be missed.
This is baseball; not a soap opera.
Make it better
June 12th, 2009
11:09 am
No, no, no – unless some team wants to give up legitimate top prospects in return. His value is at an all time low and that is not the time to trade him – IF – you believe he has talent and the ability to grow from this experience. You should not dump him, he’s not making a big salary and cannot command one and most importantly you don’t have any better options to take his place today.
Consider Johnny Bench in 1971 (year 4 of his long career)…. When he followed up his first MVP season – 293, 45, 148 with a stinker – .238, 27, 61 there was lots of talk about him being a problem, but the Reds stuck with him. (This might be a good time to draw upon former AJC scribe Terrance Moore, he may have an article or two to reference.) There are a handful of players that have gone through the Frenchy experience and survived and thrived (there are also others that never recovered ala Steve Blass and the Braves’ Mark Wohlers). It would be nice if DOB, MB, or even Jeff Shultz would do a little investigation (i.e., home work) and come back to us with a more compelling point of view.
This BLOG was an EASY play on your emotions/frustrations and stoke up the vigilante side of our psychie…..
Oz
June 12th, 2009
11:10 am
BRING UP HEYWARD,MOVE KELLEY TO THE OUTFIELD AND PLAY PRADO/INFANTE AT SECOND.THEN HAVE A WINNER -TAKE -ALL HOME RUN DERBY CONTEST FOR THE 1ST LOSER(Bench)SPOT WITH FRENCHY,ANDERSON,AND INVITE HUDSON.YES TIM WE STILL LOVE AND NEED YOU>
Dan
June 12th, 2009
11:10 am
Mark,
I agree it is better for Frenchy to get a fresh start elsewhere, but I don’t agree it is better for the Braves. At this point, like you mention, they won’t get anything for him so the Braves assume all the risk if Frenchy turns it around with a change of scenery and they get nothing in return. I’d be more worried about the holes in LF and 2B at this point.
DMac
June 12th, 2009
11:11 am
By the way ERich42, with your spelling, grammar and punctuation, you should not be accusing anyone of being stupid.
PMC
June 12th, 2009
11:12 am
It would be pretty hard at this point to make a case for not trading him.
Incredible High School Athlete. He just has not translated to the majors at all and has shown no signs of adjusting to the leagues adjustment in almost 4 years.
JayDubu
June 12th, 2009
11:12 am
No the Braves should not trade Frenchy. Get the hitting coach that worked with him last season in Mississippi, to work with him now. The Braves are not going to get anything in return for trading him, and in a year or so, he’ll figure this thing out with another team.
Let’s go Braves, and keep Frenchy.
PMC
June 12th, 2009
11:13 am
That being said, I’m not sure they are going to get much in return unless they wait it out and hope for the best.
NC Dawg
June 12th, 2009
11:13 am
Boston seems like a nice fit. They need someone in right field and are also looking for a SS. Some sort of blockbuster involving Frenchy and Escobar. Francoeur needs a new environment.
WilliamG
June 12th, 2009
11:13 am
It’s a fine blog topic – well done. I liked the fact that you saw – correctly I think – value for both the Braves and Francoeur in a trade. I think it’s clear he has all the tools needed to be a MLB star. So we’re talking headcase here – not so unusual in baseball. The constant criticism has to make things worse, not better. Let him go to a new club where – since he sure wouldn’t come in as a super star, it would be more of a reclamation project – great things aren’t expected of him. Less pressure, more time to revert to being the player he was – naturally was – when he came up.
The Braves, meantime, can’t do much worse as far as hitting (although matching his arm and defensive skills won’t be as easy).
But it’s really a case of respecting him as a talented young man and putting him in a position to reclaim his talents.
I do wonder if any other teams would take him but I suspect that some might – even if he is intitally assigned to that club’s minor league team.
Good blog, good think – kind thinking.
bigstack19
June 12th, 2009
11:15 am
I agree 250% with Mark Bradley. Trade him, release him, send him to the minors and while you are at it fire Terry Pendleton out of a cannon as far away from the Braves hitters as possible before he ruins anyone else.
Atlanta Cowards
June 12th, 2009
11:15 am
comparing Francine to Shelly is irrelavant. They both suck and both need to go but this article is about Francine dorks. Don’t worry there’s plenty a Shelly bashing when his article time comes…
I say cut’em both or send them both back down. 2 liabilities. and LOL at Francine for not taking that contract. We lucked out and dodged a huge bullet with that one
Najeh Davenpoop
June 12th, 2009
11:16 am
“What could the Braves get for him? Probably not all that much”
You said it yourself. There’s only one reason why teams should make trades: because it benefits them. Whether or not a trade would benefit Francoeur is irrelevant to the question of whether the Braves should trade him. He’s still getting paid rookie-scale deals and has little to no trade value, so as much pressure as he may be facing in a Braves jersey, trading him is a bad idea.
I don’t know enough to know what percentage of Francoeur’s decline is caused by Pendleton, but I do know that Pendleton was the hitting coach when Francoeur was good too, so it can’t be all him. Maybe the Braves should invest in one of these sports psychologists.
Mine This Bird
June 12th, 2009
11:17 am
NC Dawg:
Why do we want to trade Escobar? He gives 100% every night, is one of the best SS in the NL, and he’s cheap.
Stick to talking about GA football or eating ham & eggs or whatever you do because you don’t know a thing about baseball.
theo
June 12th, 2009
11:20 am
We can not trade what doesn’t have trade value. Face it the Braves are sit in there old ways. Cox is past his prime, Pendelton can’t teach hitting, and only Braves Management sees this different. If you can release Glavine for performance reasons then why are Pendeltom and Frenchy still around? I was a huge fan of TP’s, but he’s not getting the job done. Vasquez is the only guy on the team that can sack bunt, and that’s supposed to be basic. Frenchy I will root for a turnaround, but we have too many other problems not to have power in left, right, and 1st base. It’s time to stop the platoon, start using our speed to make things happen, and it’s time for a new coaching staff!!!
Matty
June 12th, 2009
11:20 am
Can someone tell me why Frenchy gets to decide if he gets sent down?
Mine This Bird- Escobar is an idiot- nice hair
PMC
June 12th, 2009
11:22 am
He’s a good enough defensive outfielder with a great arm… but .280 OBP means you can count on him to make outs 72% more than he does ANYTHING of merit. That can’t possibly cut it for an everyday major leaguer.
I like the guy but seriously, no one can have watched him play or seen his numbers over the last 4 years and make a non emotional case for him to even be in the majors in any capacity other than late innings defensive outfielder.
bigstack19
June 12th, 2009
11:22 am
If the Braves trade Escobar I will drive to Atlanta and slap Frank Wren myself.
Turk 182
June 12th, 2009
11:24 am
The Un-natural
Jeff’s problem is betwixt his ears….well, and also that he can’t hit a 87 mph fastball. But mostly betwixt his ears. It’s not uncommon for a great athlete to struggle when he gets to a level where his natural abilities are not enough. He reminds me of Derosa, but I am not sure he will end up that good.
ozzie
June 12th, 2009
11:24 am
Here is a crazy idea, convert Jeff into a pitcher. That is right a pitcher. When the scouts saw him I believe one of them suggested he could be a pitcher with his cannon arm.
Do the reverse Ankiel on Jeff. Send him to the minors and have him learn how to pitch. He could be a closer (his football-based bull dog mentality would be a plus in that roll) who can hit a little.
Crazy I know but if he could harness that arm he could be effective and put to an end the idea that he is going to be the next Chipper Jones.
rabiddawg
June 12th, 2009
11:29 am
Well, this series with the O’s is a make or break for the season. If we get swept or lose two out of three we are looking at a deficit that or offense WILL NOT pull us out of. Look at the schedule, SOX, YANKS, and so on… WE have to sweep the O’s and hope the Sox can win 2 against the Phils.
Jfreak
June 12th, 2009
11:31 am
It would be a sad day in Atlanta to lose a “MAN” like Francoeur. I hope the Braves management remember that there is more to a fan base than just winning. Will he play better somewhere else? Probably. But if we are going to get nothing for him then why not keep the fan favorite around? Who is going to take his place? Are they going to hit better? Are they going to field better? NO! Are they going to be a good role model? No, it’s not time to trade this guy. For once can we all get behind somebody and offer support instead of damnation? If they trade him they will lose me as a life long fan! Whoever gets him will gain me and my family as new fans. That is called support. If he hit before he can hit again.
rabiddawg
June 12th, 2009
11:33 am
Jfreak, Why would the organization worry about one fan.. when the majority of the fan base is clamoring for the trade. We all know that sports is not about loyalty.. It’s about winning and winning sooner than later.