Since joining the New York Mets last season in the trade that sent beleaguered outfielder Ryan Church to the Atlanta Braves, Jeff Francoeur has become one of my favorite players.
His “tell it like it is” approach to interviews is a refreshing change, and his attitude on the field is contagious.
Francoeur got off to a hot start this season, but as this chart shows, his batting average has been on a free fall since April 17th.
Although Francoeur has struggled at the plate for nearly a month, his defense has been as good as ever, and I think his role on the team as a leader is something that numbers can’t measure.
His lack of production has almost nothing to do with why I feel his job may be in jeopardy in the coming months of this season.
Instead, Francoeur’s job may be in jeopardy due to the return of Carlos Beltran.
Beltran is coming off major knee surgery, which has kept him off a baseball field until just recently, and I have major doubts that he will get back to form defensively. A center fielder with limited range in the expansive outfield at Citi Field is a recipe for disaster, and I’m beginning to wonder if Beltran will be able to take over the center field duties effectively.
With Pagan relegated to center field, and Jason Bay not going anywhere any time soon, the only option the Mets may have is to move Beltran to right field, making Francoeur the odd man out.
I really hope these speculations never come to fruition.
I imagine Carlos Beltran coming back at full strength, playing the great center field he always played and adding some power and stability to the middle of the line up. It would transform the Mets’ outfield into one of the best in the National League and bring them back to a point where I believe they can seriously compete for a championship.
Of course, we won’t know anything for a while, and until then I hope the Mets remain competitive enough to stay within striking distance.
Let’s Go Mets
Sorry, Joe, no offense meant here at all but Frenchy’s always been one of my least-favorite players. I think he’s not good and not willing to work at his game. For example, his famous quote: “If on-base percentage is so important, then why don’t they put it up on the scoreboard?” Jeff you might want to try not making so many outs instead of complaining about the folks who bring up the fact that you make so many outs!
Thus, and again, I mean no offense, I have to take umbrage at this paragraph: “Although Francoeur has struggled at the plate for nearly a month, his defense has been as good as ever, and I think his role on the team as a leader is something that numbers can’t measure.”
I would say it’s more accurate to say Francoeur has struggled at the plate for nearly five years, and been abominably, not-major-league-worthy bad for nearly three years. He does have a strong arm but isn’t otherwise special defensively, and even if he was, it’s only RF, it’s not like he’s catching or playing middle infield where his horrible offense could be overlooked.
I don’t know how good of a leader he is. But since he got traded the Mets are 48-63, which is not good – a 70-win pace over a full season. So I’m going to say either his leadership has no impact or else the Mets are just unbelievably bad and Frenchy’s solid leadership has pulled them into merely “really bad” territory. I’m more inclined to believe the former.
Sorry, don’t mean to be so negative. But I’m still a Francoeur hater, I guess old habits die hard. There’s a reason Braves fans refer to the guy as FYF!
Hey,
I take no offense as your point was very well made. My posts are based on opinion and I know all well that my opinion will never be the only one.
That being said, you make some very good points about Frenchy’s flaws. My positive feelings about him come more from his attitude than his performance.
Thanks for reading.