Is Jeff Francoeur on the way out in Atlanta?
This is just speculation on my part, but he very well could be. According to Keith Law, the Braves have moved top prospect Jason Heyward from center field to right field. This could be due to a high number of center fielders already in the organization who are developmentally ahead of Heyward (Josh Anderson, Jordan Schaefer, Gorkys Hernandez), similar to how the Braves had what they thought was a career player in Andruw Jones when Francoeur was making his way through the minors. Additionally, after an abysmal 2008, Jeff Francoeur has fallen from grace in the eyes of the Braves front office and some of the fans. Additionally, Francoeur and the Braves will go to arbitration over a 1.15 million dollar difference in salary. Additionally, Heyward was invited to Spring Training. To me, these are tell-tale signs that Francoeur won't remain a Brave for much longer.
The Orioles re-signed Markakis to a 6 year deal worth 66.1 million. I like this deal for the Orioles. Markakis is a solid outfielder on the right side of 30. Additionally, he is a career Oriole. I am always a fan of players that play their entire career with a single team because baseball is one of the few sports where it is possible. The attitude of trading for big names or signing big name free agents to ridiculously high contracts has proven to be not the way to go in recent years. An example that comes to mind is the Yankees since 2000, having signed Giambi to a 100 million dollar deal, signing Pavano to a high contract, giving Kyle Farnsworth more than he's worth in the 2005 offseason, and, oh yes, trading for A-Rod.
Jeff Kent retired after 17 seasons. And let the Hall of Fame debate begin. Kent, undoubtedly, has the numbers to be in the Hall (I am disappointed he fell short of 400 HRs). However, numbers alone to not get one into the Hall of Fame. I, for one, was never a fan of Jeff Kent and his attitude, which caused issues with teammates in the past. Whether or not Kent will be able to make the Hall on the first ballot is another question entirely, as he joins Greg Maddux and Mike Mussina, on the 2014 Hall of Fame Ballot, as well as potentially Ken Griffey Jr, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas.
Prince Fielder requests 8 million in aribtration. There's no reason why he shouldn't get this. I view Fielder as similar to Ryan Howard at the end of the 2007 season when he field for, and won arbitration (there was a 3 million dollar difference between the club and Howard; Fielder has a 2 million dollar difference). Fielder is also 4 years younger than Howard at each's time of arbitration, which gives him additional upside.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Honestly I think that if I had to vote I would vote for Kent. He did have some attitude problems but I would imagine that it would be hard to be in that clubhouse without some sort of spine to have to deal with the every day antics of one Barry Bond. I noticed his public attitude problems faded a bit once he played in LA for the Dodgers.
ReplyDeleteThat is true. Anybody could have issues with Barry Bonds. I know I shouldn't hold it against Jeff Kent, but he kinda forced Craig Biggio out of second base in Houston. The only reason I add that is because I am a HUGE fan of Biggio's. He was always a class act and a good player.
ReplyDeleteReviewing Jeff Kent's career more closely, he was a 5 time All Star, 2000 NL MVP, and a 4 time Silver Slugger Award Winner. I definitely think he will make the hall at some point. First Ballot is questionable in my mind.