AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 04
Friday, July 4, 2008
Francoeur headed to minors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, it’s here. Jeff Francoeur found out last night he’s being sent to AA Mississippi to try to work out his problems with his old hitting coach and now AA manager Phillip Wellman.
Something had to give and it finally did.
He’s been doing everything you’re supposed to do - extra work in the cage, trying to stay positive and work through it. I saw him on the field Tuesday hitting early by himself, in a personal tutoring session with hitting coach Terry Pendleton, working on hitting balls up the middle and to right field.
But nothing seemed to change in his results and you just had to feel for the guy.
Now this. This is one way the Braves probably figure that Jeff can work on some adjustments he’s making in his swing without trying to implement them on the fly. At one point Tuesday night, I think, he was putting his bat on his shoulder. And he’s also back to standing up taller.
The Braves probably also figure this is a way to keep him out of the spotlight, away from the daily questions and pressures of being a major league hitter in a big-time slump.
The other option was to give him a couple of days off. Giving him one game off seemed to work well on that doubleheader day against the Mets. Maybe that would have helped him. But with the Braves sinking in the standings by the day, they chose to go bolder.
Some things have been said about the delicate line the Braves might be walking with their fans in a move like this. But I’d say the bigger question is what will this do to the psyche of a player like Jeff Francoeur, who is a local guy, grew up in the heart of Braves territory, beloved….and lately booed. This has got to be tearing him up. How will this move affect his confidence - to go back to the minors where he hasn’t been in three years?
That is a bigger question to me than whether a fan wearing a Francoeur T-shirt to the game tonight will get to see him in right field.
But enough of what I think. Now that it’s here, let’s hear what you think. Was this the right move to make?
