Francoeur talks offseason, thumb, possible long-term deal with Mets

By Carroll Rogers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Brave Jeff Francoeur has been busy this offseason, jetting to Scotland for a golf trip, having surgery on his thumb, finding an apartment in Manhattan with his wife and now contemplating signing a multiyear contract with the Mets. Francoeur, who is spending the offseason at home in Duluth, discussed those topics in a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com In 75 games with the New York Mets last season, Jeff Francoeur batter .310 with 10 homers.

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Q: Did you ever imagine you'd be thinking about signing a multiyear contract with any team other than the Braves?

A: No, it's crazy, but at the same time, it's something that if it presents itself, you definitely take a look. But right now, I know I'm going to be there next year. I'm just looking forward to picking up where I left off last year and just keep getting better.

Q: So there's a decent chance you'll sign long-term?

A: I don't know. I think after the [holiday] they'll start to talk even more. Right now, they're worried about putting a team together and trades, like any team is. Guys like us [who are arbitration-eligible] aren't that important because they know they got us. They'll do it when they can.

Q: Do you regret you didn't sign a multiyear contract when the Braves offered in 2007?

A: No, not at all because then I'd still be here. With what I was going through, not that many people at the time would have wanted to pick up my contract without them throwing in some money, and I'm sure the Braves wouldn't have done it. So I might be stuck in AAA, who knows?

Q: But did your struggles come from the pressures of living up to a bigger contract?

A: Not at all. What I'm probably going to make this year is the same I would have made if [I took] the deal anyways, so what's the difference? I'm not a guy who has to have a multiyear deal. I know eventually I'll be able to get that, whether it's this year or in two years when I'm a free agent. That'll come, but right now, I'm not worried about that at all.

Q: So your struggles here didn't have anything to do with that?

A: No. I think anybody who knows me knows that that doesn't have anything to do with it. I just got lost and had a tough time getting out of it.

Q: You felt a lot better at the plate in New York, didn't you?

A: I felt comfortable. Just learning how to drive the ball again, that's what felt good. I felt like I was hitting it with authority, hitting it in the gaps. That was nice.

Q: How's the thumb? Surgery was a little more involved than you thought, right?

A: Yes. I broke it my junior year playing football [at Parkview High]. They found some stuff in there, but it was nothing they couldn't fix. I saw the doctor in New York last week, and it went well. I'm good to go, to start throwing and hitting on Jan. 1.

Q: So you and Catie found an apartment in Manhattan?

A: Yes it's two or three blocks from Central Park, and it overlooks Bloomingdale's. I'll have to keep an eye on Catie. I'm loving [city life]. It's crazy. Everybody thinks I won't. You just have to embrace it. There are millions of people here, but it's busier in the tourist spots like Times Square than other places.