The Francoeur trade: A sad but necessary ending
This is how much the Braves wanted rid of Jeff Francoeur: They traded him to a team they’ll play 19 times a year, which means they’d rather put themselves in the repeated position of losing to him than have kept him around here. That’s how far the Golden Child had fallen, and how fast.
If you’d hung around the team this summer, you could tell the Braves’ patience had reached its end. Even after his Texas tutorial with Rudy Jaramillio, Francoeur was the same as he’d been last season, give or take. Even after vowing many times to be a new Frenchy, he was the familiar flailing Frenchy. And the Braves had seen enough.
He’s not a bad guy — on the contrary, he’s a fine fellow — but neither is he easy to coach. He’d been a success in every sport at every level but couldn’t master the adjustments every successful big-league hitter must make. It’s not that he didn’t try to change. He changed his swing several times. Trouble was, he couldn’t change himself.
Francoeur is a baseball player with a football mentality, and that doesn’t cut it over the long haul. A baseball player must be measured in his approach. The same aggressiveness that made Francoeur one of the greatest high school football players this blessed state has ever seen — as a Parkview junior, he averaged a touchdown catch as a wide receiver and an interception as a defensive back per game — ultimately rendered him a substandard big-league hitter.
Terry Pendleton and Bobby Cox get hammered for not imparting plate discipline on their prized pupil, but Francoeur was swinging at everything before he became a Brave. He batted eight times in a playoff doubleheader his senior season at Parkview; seven times he swung at the first pitch. He could get away with it then because he was just so gifted, but gifts alone don’t cut it in the major leagues. Not for long.
Loading ...Francoeur arrived in 2005 and rose to the moment, and we really expected no less. After all, he was a big-time athlete who’d spent his young life rising to such moments. But the Francoeur of 2008 and 2009 was a shadow of the rookie Frenchy. That one was dauntless. This one was aimless. For that first giddy season we were shocked if he made an out; for the past two summers we’ve been surprised if he gets a hit.
I can’t say this trade pleases me — I’ve known Francoeur since he was 17 and like him very much — but I have to say I saw it coming. By going to Jaramillo, he’d damaged his standing with Pendleton and Cox, and the only way you mend a damaged baseball relationship is by producing. And Francoeur had stopped producing at an acceptable rate. He’d become a liability. He needed something he could never get as a Brave. He needed a new start.
And now he has one. I hope he makes it work. I hope he hits .300 and drives in 100 runs next season and every season thereafter, and I don’t care if he inflicts major damage on his former employer. For the good of both parties, this was a trade the Braves had to make. Even if the only team willing to take Francoeur was the hated Mets, the Braves still had to make it.
On July 7, 2005, Jeff Francoeur hit a home run in his first big-league game. Four years and three days later, he was traded for Ryan Church, a right fielder having an even worse year. Four years and three days later, the Golden Child was given the golden boot.
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531 comments Add your comment
GA
July 10th, 2009
9:51 pm
Bad move, the Braves will regret this one. I am sick over this!
Kyle
July 10th, 2009
9:52 pm
Todd H….I’m sure B Mac is fine. He’s a true professional. He’ll go out everyday play hard and hit .300. That’s why I have a #16 on my back when I go to the games. Don’t be fooled like 80% of “Brave’s Fans”. A cute smile and dreamy eyes don’t make you a professional.
Marc
July 10th, 2009
9:54 pm
How do you explain this to people? Jeff doesn’t have potential. Jeff Francouer is a one-trick pony that lacks the talent to adjust. He was a 3rd-tier prospect that looked like a 1st-tier prospect to us cause of all of our prospects not named McCann of late have sucked.
E Buzz Miller
July 10th, 2009
9:54 pm
this just “feels” like the Brett Butler trade to me
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 10th, 2009
9:54 pm
Yeah, funny that on the SportSouth facebook page, the only people who are “shocked” and “enraged” over this trade are females. I’m a female and I am for one, thankful.
AlforATL
July 10th, 2009
9:55 pm
I think its awesome that he was traded to a division rival. Just remember all the times you heard “And there’s Francouer, striking out with men in scoring position” or “Frenchy hits into the double play with a runner in scoring position.” Now, imagine its being said by a Mets announcer instead of a Braves announcer. Kind of a devious sort of genius if you ask me.
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
9:55 pm
The Mets got blanked by Bronson Arroyo and the Reds tonight. Frenchy will feel right at home.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 10th, 2009
9:55 pm
And we still have a “hometown boy” — his name is Brian McCann.
NCBravesFan
July 10th, 2009
9:55 pm
If you are worried about Jeff’s potential, remember this: the Braves made this trade not necessarily based on his potential as a hitter – but on his potential as a Braves’ hitter.
He can and probably will do a little better in NY. That doesn’t mean he would have gotten better here, or that the trade was a bad idea.
20+ Year Season Ticket Holder
July 10th, 2009
9:55 pm
After 20+ years as a season ticket crazy, I love the Braves, Bobbie and Ted. Thank you.
As for John S., you were the master over time with Bobbie and your talent. Amazing TALENT.
This trade STINKS.
I don’t care if Jeff ever hits a single again.
You, of all people, have demonstrated there is no loyalty.
A Braves hallmark.
I’m done.
Chipper, run now.
John S., you look brighter every day.
And Doggie’s “number retirement” is on the 17th.
Will be a requiem.
Mark Bradley has no idea folks, none, nada, squat…
great writer though.
I love the Braves.
The Braves don’t “want” us.
Nor does the AJC and Mark.
Can’t believe I’m posting for this first time.
Go Braves.
Would anyone like my seats for the rest of the season.
Jeff, never met you.
Do well.
Braves.
Remember this.
GO BRAVES!!!
Every Metro ATL citizen not named Francouer
July 10th, 2009
9:56 pm
We are so excited to get that loser off the Braves and put him with a loser organization in the Mets. He will fit in perfectly there. Jeff you will not be missed and don’t come back to Gwinnett County ever!! You are not wanted. I’m sure the New York market will be oh so kind to you when you don’t produce up there. They are going to eat you alive and we are all going to sit and have a nice big laugh. Good riddance, Frenchy. Tee hee.
Marc
July 10th, 2009
9:56 pm
And LOL at foxsports’ “Braves ship Jeff Francouer to Mets in major deal”.
Really Fox, a major deal? Really?
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
9:56 pm
It just wasn’t going to happen for Jeff Francoeur here. If it happens in New York, so be it. But that doesn’t mean it would’ve happened here.
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 10th, 2009
9:56 pm
OK, Bradley, I’m in your corner on the Francoeur thing and I’ve improved my blog handle with a literary reference. Am I kissing too much butt?
Joe Schmoe
July 10th, 2009
9:57 pm
Who are these idiots that keep saying this is a bad trade? Really? Hmmm, and many wonder why braves fans are chided so much!
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2009
9:58 pm
Bradley, you are right on in your assessment of Francoeur’s abilities. It always occurred to me that he would be a better football player even when he was in high school. I’m not sure the Braves should have rushed to trade a guy getting paid rookie-scale deals at his lowest trade value, and certainly not to a division rival for a guy with no upside, but both sides had definitely worn out their welcome with each other.
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
9:58 pm
Actually, I think Frenchy has a chance to get on well with the New York fans. He’s friendly, he’s approachable, he’s good on TV. And the print journalists will love him.
It would, however, help if he hits a bit.
will
July 10th, 2009
9:59 pm
PEOPLE, PEOPLE, your not listening. You can have the best players in the Major’s but as long as we have Owners??!!, Front Office people and some of our coaching staff, WE WILL NOT WIN and we will not make far into the post season.
Bill Heller
July 10th, 2009
9:59 pm
The Mets will teach him how to throw a knuckleball.
Ted Striker
July 10th, 2009
9:59 pm
DenverDawg — Don’t let the thin air get you cranky. You may not have those huge margaritas out there to keep you happy like the one I had waiting for you here last week but…
…just wait till you see the Pat O’Briens hurricane I buy you in New Orleans before we hit the Falcons-Saints game for Monday Night football. My first trip to NOLA I had 2 hurricanes at Pat O’Briens on a Sunday night before someone dropped me off at the airport to fly back. I darn near missed my flight because I couldn’t find the plane.
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
10:00 pm
No, sir, Mr. Governor. Say hi to Mr. Hiassen for me. I’ve read a couple of his books.
Kenman
July 10th, 2009
10:00 pm
I hate to see Frenchy go, but this was a necessary move. I think that Bobby wanted to give Jeff a fresh start, even if it meant trading him to the Mets. I also think that the Braves got more than fair market value in Church – he is every bit as good a right fielder, has better hitting stats this season and bats left-handed. Good job.
Marc
July 10th, 2009
10:01 pm
20+ Year Seaon Ticket Holder -
You can send your tickets to me, my wife and I live in FL, but we’ll be going to a few games this year. I look forward to watching Church waddle for balls in the corner while giving quality at-bats everytime up. Should be fun.
Defense is overrated anyways, it really is, as long as you’re error total doesn’t get too high you can always make up for your defensive shotcomings with the ol’ Louiville.
TPM
July 10th, 2009
10:02 pm
Somebody I work with actually said this ” I can’t believe Frank Wren waived Tom Glavine. Tom pitched a gem and beat the Cleveland Indians 14 years ago.”
D.Ellis
July 10th, 2009
10:03 pm
Nice guy and all but to sum it up in 2 words his hitting was “DOO-DOO”
I don’t find it amazing in the bit that we are willing to see him 19 times a year…..I know if he plays all 19 games and averages about 4 AB’s a game we’re good for a solid 50-55 outs you can PEN THAT IN….not PENCIL.
Mark Bradley
July 10th, 2009
10:04 pm
Exactly four weeks ago I asked, “Should the Braves trade Jeff Francoeur? Here were the results of the accompanying poll:
Should Braves trade Jeff Francoeur?
* Yes (76%, 2,546 Votes)
* No (24%, 825 Votes)
Total Voters: 3,371
Bama Aaron
July 10th, 2009
10:06 pm
Mark I completely agree that it was time for Frenchy to go. But I think was the wrong way to do it. To send him to your biggest rival and pay them to take him is stupid. I just don’t buy that there wasn’t somewhere else you could send him. Sad, truly sad to see things end up this way. Going to be damn strange to be sitting in my seat down the right field line and seeing Frenchy in those stripes.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 10th, 2009
10:07 pm
Let me go ahead and tell you what’s coming…
“Mark, we all know you and all your AJC cronies sat at the computer and voted exactly once every hour. Who did you have to pay in the Braves clubhouse to vote in favor of trading Francoeur so you could look like a genius? I bet you and Jeff Schultz just sit around together thinking of ways to further tarnish the journalistic blogosphere.”
BeachGaBulldog
July 10th, 2009
10:07 pm
I was sick of watching Francoeur’s stupid stubborn sorry ass swing at the first pitch. He has made NO IMPROVEMENT! I am so glad that he was traded. I didn’t care what they got for him. I just wanted him gone. I hope that he fails BIG TIME in New York.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 10th, 2009
10:08 pm
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Bama Aaron: It wasn’t the wrong way — it was the only way. I really do believe we had our backs against the wall in terms of who was willing to take him on.
Ronald Millsaps
July 10th, 2009
10:08 pm
I’m very sad to see this happen. I hope he’ll return here once his contract expires, but whether he will or not is up to him.
Perhaps by then management and the organization itself will be run better. I could say a lot of good things about the two, but I could say a lot more against the two from 2006 to the present, and not surprisingly, we haven’t won the division in those years.
If this move has anything to do with Francoeur’s going to Texas’s hitting coach, please look at Andruw Jones’ statistics this year. I rest my case.
Had it been my call, I would’ve moved Martin Prado to second and Kelly Johnson to left prior to last season and kept them both there for 600 at-bats apiece. A year and a half later, Prado gets moved to second, and we’re supposed to regard it as a bold move. We see few adjustments in Atlanta, and oftentimes, what doesn’t work gets numerous chances, whereas what does work or show progress gets a moment or two. A large, large part of Francoeur’s performance has been the lack of proper adjustments by management.
We just traded a guy who, at 25, still could regain his career and become the next Dale Murphy. Here’s a guy who has been used OUT OF PLACE low in the order after SPENDING HIS OFFSEASON EARNING the cleanup spot. Instead of giving it to him, management unnecessarily gave the spot to Garret Anderson, whose defense is oftentimes questionable, and basically sneered at Francoeur’s offseason adjustments.
Does Francoeur write the lineup card? No, he doesn’t. Has it had a bad influence on him this season? Yes, it has. Why—why have we not seen the Braves at least TRY him higher in the order with some regularity? He has one, maybe two starts there this year and did well, and he immediately got lowered in spite of this fact.
He had three doubles last night. For the first time in a long time, he looked to be loose at the plate and looked to be doing what he did earlier in his career, which was to pull the ball. What does he get in return? A trade! I seriously wonder if certain people in the organization would be astute enough to notice someone’s turning the corner.
Bottom line: The Braves misused Francoeur offensively and didn’t work with him well enough in preparation, as evidenced by his incessant attempts to go to right field. His flat statistics don’t represent him alone, but he sure is made the scapegoat by this trade. Do I blame him for a lot of his struggles? Yes! However, I see a lot of hypocrisy in using a guy out of place and blaming him for the results.
We see too few proper adjustments in Atlanta. If something doesn’t work (Schafer’s hitting), it gets all the time in the world. If something does work or shows progress, it does well to get a week oftentimes, and I’m being serious.
If we were going to trade the guy, maybe we should’ve done so for Zack Greinke, huh, and why not bite the bullet and look at the bulk of Francoeur’s career potential and not just THIS SEASON, especially when management oftentimes times seems, quite frankly, apathetic about this season!!!!!
Baseball is extremely complex, and there are roles to be filled, executions to be made, and so on. Generally, the lineup card is based solely on R-L matchups, and that’s it. Last night, by the way, we lost yet another game that should’ve been won, and I’m not seeing the kind of sense of urgency that a championship team should have, except, of course, when it comes to trading the scapegoat.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 10th, 2009
10:10 pm
Ronald Millsaps, you stole that “lineup” phrase right from his interview the other day.
Joe Schmoe
July 10th, 2009
10:10 pm
Hahah D.Ellis, I will also “book” those odds!
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 10th, 2009
10:10 pm
P.S. He sounded like a jerk when he said it.
will
July 10th, 2009
10:10 pm
TED, TED, where are you? Some of these readers and fans have hit the nail on the head. Since Ted left, there is NO loyalty amongst the Owners or Front Office. Has anyone seen Ted? TED! TED! Help Us!!!!!
Escobar Rocks
July 10th, 2009
10:11 pm
I can’t believe that there are actually people here criticizing this trade. I expected them to trade him for a low level minor leaguer and they actually got a decent major league player in return. Jeff seems like a super nice guy and I do feel bad for him. However, this could be the best thing that ever happened to him. He just had too many expectations in Atlanta.
Frank Wren is a genius to pull off this trade.
Will
July 10th, 2009
10:11 pm
this trade makes zero sense. you trade within the division for someone who frankly doesn’t hit any better, zero power, and 5 years older. At least Jeff stays healthy and can play defense.
Dale Murphy
July 10th, 2009
10:12 pm
It kills me how many idiots blog here. IDIOTS. What percentage actually know or understand baseball? 10% maybe. Do you like Frenchy because he’s a handsome young Christian from Parkview HS or because he’s a talented professional baseball player? Well… it certainly can’t be the latter.
This isn’t a long term deal. Anyone with a semblance of a brain understands this is a temporary fix. Frenchy was clearly unhappy. He was killing our team in a number of ways: performance and attitude at the top of the list.
Braves fans wake up!!! We actually got something for a guy who is virtually untradeable. He makes $3.4M per year. He was literally stealing money from us! His swing is horrendous and he hasn’t changed a thing in two years. He wasn’t going to get better as a Brave; so should we have just continued to let him stew on the bench and make quotes about playing elsewhere? Or should we have played him every day so he could continue to be one of the worst hitters in baseball? Easy choice.
And if you think Frenchy struggled here, just wait til he gets to NY. You think Mets fans are going to enjoy him swinging at every first pitch? Or his inability to move runners along? What about his penchant for striking out with runners in scoring position? Yep, New Yorkers are going to love him!
The only thing Frank Wren should be blamed for is that we don’t have any power in our lineup. Other than that, this team isn’t that bad.
It’ll be very interesting to see what the Braves do once Hudson is back in August (assuming he’s healthy). We’ll be loaded at starting pitcher.
And all you Frenchy fans look at it this way — you can now pick up his #7 shirt at the stadium for dirt cheap!!!
Mitch C
July 10th, 2009
10:12 pm
I agree that Jeff needed to be traded, Mark, but I dont like who he was traded to. (I despise the Mets worse than anything) or who he was traded for.
I think that Wren pulled the trigger far too soon. We aren’t anywhere near July 31 yet. I would have waited until closer to the trade deadline, to see if we could have gotten a little better deal for him.
New York, as we all know, is the most difficult place in the majors to play, so it will be interesting to see whether Jeff plays even worse with the pressure of the New York media every day, not to mention the fans that will be brutal if he stinks up the place, or, if the Mets get all their people healthy, and get into the pennant race, whether he will relax with a better team around him, just play, and find himself again.
As for our side of the deal: I’m hardly excited about Ryan Church coming to the Braves. I dont think he will have much of an impact.
As we also know, two Braves legends had very different types of careers in New York. Knucksie pitched great for the Yankees after Ted Turner made one of the dumbest moves in Braves history by releasing him, and Tommy Glavine was terrible his first three years with the Mets, before having two pretty good seasons with them, save for the end of the 2007 season.
Knowing the Braves luck the last four seasons, Jeff will probably find himself with the Mets, while Church hurts himself for the Braves, and stays on the DL for a large part of the year.
Frank pulled the trigger at an inopportune time on this one. Now, we have to hope it doesnt come back to bite us in the butt.
Mitch
Escobar Rocks
July 10th, 2009
10:15 pm
For all of you who don’t know it, Ryan Church is also an excellent defensive outfielder. He doesn’t have Jeff’s arm but he is very, very good.
Reality
July 10th, 2009
10:16 pm
Francine is like Glen Davis minus the last 4 years of Davis with the Astros……
If any of you are baseball fans you will know exactly what I mean when I talk about the trade Glen Davis was involved in and the subsequent results….
Dale Murphy
July 10th, 2009
10:16 pm
Mrs. CB, you are dumbest of the dumb. Yes, Bobby should have moved Frenchy up in the lineup to the 3, 4 or 5 hole for sure. It was his fault that Francouer hits like Stevie Wonder. That’s seriously one of the dumbest things to ever be written in the history of the planet. You think our team has had trouble hitting? Imagine Frenchy at the top of the order. WOW. I am just dumbstruck at the stupidity here.
NO MORE BOBBY
July 10th, 2009
10:16 pm
I think the biggest blow to Francoeur was not being traded to the Mets but that all we got for him was Church. Yikes!
Reality hit him hard today.
Dale Murphy
July 10th, 2009
10:18 pm
Mitch, you are missing the freaking point! Jeff has ZERO, or next to no trade value! Why would Wren have waited until July 31st??? Jesus. This is painful. We gave the Mets cash and Francoeur for Church. Does that say anything to you at all???
Nick
July 10th, 2009
10:19 pm
Do any of u see behind any of the lines with this trade. It will not be long before Hayward will be ready to take over everyday in the outfield. He will be a stud for us. Also this trade frees up some cap space for things in the future. Maybe the Braves have something they are looking at if they are still in it come the trade deadline. They probably have their eyes on a bigger fish in the water on the horizon and now they will have extra money to put on the table.
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 10th, 2009
10:19 pm
Jeff has been ABSOLUTELY KILLING this team for a year and a half. He’s horrible. EPICALLY horrible.
What did you clowns bashing Wren expect? Think he’d get Pujols? Maybe Jason Bay? You’re probably the same crowd saying, “Let’s trade KJ, Jeff, and JoJo for Adrian Gonzalez.”
I can’t believe any sentient being wearing or owning a tomahawk could have a problem with this deal.
Kyle
July 10th, 2009
10:20 pm
I wonder if Frenchy cried when they told him like last year when he was sent down to the minors.
Trade: Thoughts Around The Web |
July 10th, 2009
10:20 pm
[...] Mark Bradley from AJC in Atlanta writes that the Braves ran out of patience: The Francoeur Trade: A sad but necessary ending. [...]
D.Ellis
July 10th, 2009
10:21 pm
Dale Murphy-What up dude!!!! Thanks for signing my ball for my 6th birthday….still got it in the case!
Floyd
July 10th, 2009
10:21 pm
Ryan Church could quit the game today in response to this trade and the Braves would still have gotten the better end of it.