Strange Trade Analysis

By now, most of you know about the trade of Jeff Francoeur to the Mets for Ryan Church. Because we here at OSG World HQ are close to the Braves...we've covered them for years, we feel its our duty to break down what is probably an early pre-cursor to a busy trade season.

((Me and Intrepid Sports Anchor Mark Harmon interviewing Francoeur at 2007 Spring Training))

This trade is part head scratcher and part it had to be. On one hand, Francoeur deperately needed a change of scenery. He was never going to improve in his hometown where every and anybody was giving him advice on how to break out of his tailspin. He unfortunately for him, has not made that next adjustment that most successful major league players make. When you first make the big leagues...if you have his kind of skills, you are successful because nobody has seen you. Over time, the book gets out and most pitchers and coaches will adjust to what you do, find your weakness and explore it. That is what happened with Francoeur. The guys who become Superstars...or really good players make that next adjustment, they figure out what the book is and learn how to not be exploited there. Jeff hasn't done it yet.

That being said, he still has more upside than Ryan Church, though Church is just a placeholder. The Braves have Jason Heyward rumbling through there system and he is the future of that team. Heyward is tearing up the minors at age 19 and though he may not make it to the big club this season (he's in AA Mississippi now), he will next season. Church can give the Braves some production, he is better at getting on base than Francoeur is right now. Plus, he is on a one-year deal. I would be stunned to see him at the Braves Spring home at Disney World next season.

It's unfortunate that Francoeur didn't survive in Atlanta. He really is a genuinely good person, the goofy, big-brother type who has crazy athletic skills. He was very, very well liked in the Braves lockerroom and throughout the Press Corps. The guy didn't know how to say no to anyone. Maybe that was the problem, certainly it is something that he will need to learn and learn fast if he is going to survive in New York.

Here's local coverage of the deal, thanks from our friends at WAGA-TV/MyFoxAtlanta
Ken Rodriguez has the post-mortem...