ajcsportstalk

By JB

January 20, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this

I think he will have an outstanding year

By JohnGTFan

January 20, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this

I think he’ll improve, but nothing significant. He is who he is…and even though he’s young, I don’t see him every being a .300 hitter. He’ll strike out often, leave many runners on, but hit meaningless homeruns in blowouts. I HOPE he proves me wrong b/c he seems like a great kid with a lot of talent. I just think his head gets in the way.

By bravesFAn

January 20, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this

Interesting poll question…..could he actually have a worse year than he had last year? If he does, say hello to Gwinnett’s starting RF!

By Billy In Nashville

January 20, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this

I am happy to hear he is working out with Chipper and adopting a gap to gap mentality. Chipper says he is crushing balls with his balanced stance, not to far out on his front foot and keeping his head steady. I think the best news is that he is going to commit to one approach and is working on getting it into his muscle memory 4 times a week. Let’s just hope he has some early success with it so he doesn’t feel any temptation to change again. I like his attitude of wanting to become a franchise player. He certainly has the tools physically. Now if he really hangs on to this latest mental state his is in he could “put it all together”. At least he is willing to learn from what he’s done and has the desire to do what ever it takes to become a franchise player. Andrew has never displayed either quality and that might be what sets them apart in the end.

By Rufio

January 20, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this

Yeah, how could he not improve on last year, even if a little. Dude was pretty bad last year.

The article states he has decided on a stance and batting approach. Thats great and all, as long he doesnt abandon it at the first rough stretch. Then he’ll be right back where he left off last year.

I’m pulling for him though. Real good guy.

By Coastal

January 20, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this

A .280 average, 25 home runs and 100 RBIs would be big for the Braves. Kelly and Yunel continue to improve, Chipper and McCann are already there, just need some pop from Jeff and Diaz, and this could be a decent lineup. Imagine what a name like Manny would look like in that lineup? Are you listening Mr. Wren? Protection is not only important with dirty sluts, its important in baseball and Chipper needs some.

By Denny Green

January 20, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

He is who we thought he was!!!

By Lew

January 20, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this

If you believe Chipper’s evaluation of Andruw last week, then you’ve got to believe what he’s seen with Francoeur and Chipper says he’s smashing the ball with the new stance. Boy’s definitely back to what he was (100 RBI guy able to go to right when needed) if not much more. I really couldn’t care less if he ever has a league leading OBP if he keeps driving in runs like we know he can.

By joe

January 20, 2009 12:44 PM | Link to this

He may be the piece that really puts us into contention! If he hits 285/25/100 then we just got a huge upgrade from last years production. I must state however that I have seen him get numerous hits when they counted before last year. Two years ago he had a number of two out rbi’s! I wish him all the best!

By Robbie T

January 20, 2009 12:52 PM | Link to this

Francouer has shown that he has no clue at the plate.And apparently not enough intelligence to learn from his mistakes.I mean the pitchers have found his weakness to outside sliders and breaking balls.Francouer has not shown the ability to adjust and lay off those pitches.Sure he had a couple of good offensive years but,the pitchers around the league know his weakness now.He did’nt show any class when he was sent down last year.It was like he thought he was above being demoted.He only cared about Jeff Francouer so,to hell with the rest of the team.I’m sick of these prima donna ballplayers with heads too big for their hats.

By JohnGTFan

January 20, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this

I’ll believe all these changes when I actually see them with my own eyes…DURING A GAME

By Lew

January 20, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this

Robbie-Yeah, it took those really stupid pitchers 3 1/2 years to figure out he swings at bad pitches.

By smooth

January 20, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this

I think Jeff needs to sign at least a 4 year deal and get that behind him and he will turn it around. So I hpe that Jeff and the Braves can get a contract in place and let’s move on.

By TMoney

January 20, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this

I think Frenchy will improve on last year, I’m going to say .270/28/95. Though I think it’s a telling sign that Jeff is looking to Chipper and not his batting coach for advice. Sorry Terry, but you need to go.

By pryguy

January 20, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this

i think frenchy needs to grow up fast. He pouted when the Braves sent him down last year, like he was already an established All-Star going through a slump. Outside of his range and arm, his season was pathetic last year. He has to know this, but seemed to rather place blame on injuries, demotion etc. I’d rather a player who owns up for the product he puts on the field rather than look other places when slumps occur. All too often athletes look for praise when they are hot, and look for excuses when they are not. SMOOTH, are you an idiot? Sign him to a 4 yr deal when he hasn’t proven all that much in the 2-3 years he’s been here? That’s like the rest of the forum ripping apart Wren before last weeks happenings. PREMATURE. In regards to DOB, you seriously diminish Andruw Jones potential just like that? Yeah, he sucked past 2 years. How short of a memory on how he produced the years before that with his glove and his bat. If he falls into our lap, WHY NOT scoop him up? Instead, we want to rest our hope on some could they be prospects who go 1-14 in a 3 game series, but we are hopeful because they walked once and stole a base? Everyone needs to re-evaluate their comments before they post them here, and I probably should have before I posted this, but at this point I’m p** off.

By BILL Mc

January 20, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this

Well, two roads to take here. The Andruw road or the Chipper road. I don’t think he will follow either extreme road but I expect him to improve. If I ever hear the words ” I am a dead pull-hitter” from another Brave, I will blame the Braves management not the player next time. At least he is showing a willingness to work on his hitting and hanging with Chipper can’t hurt. We need him and I’ll continue to root for him as long as he is a Brave.

By Spider29

January 20, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this

I think Jeff is ready for a “comeback” in 2009. Maybe he won’t hit .310/40/120 but I just have feeling he will have a good season. From all accounts, he is working hard at improving on his 2008 numbers. He wants to do well and he wants to play for the Braves. I like that he is working on hitting the gaps rather than pull everything.

By 1eyedJack

January 20, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this

Well, here is my take on the Braves lineup, for what it’s worth.

Catcher - Brian McCann,.300 hitter, good power, perinnial All Star, ‘nough said

1st Base - Casey Kotchman, still a young player with only two full seasons in the bigs, numbers have steadily progressed. Hopefully he has settled in after the shock of being traded. Expect him to progress even further this year. .270 to .280 average with 20+ homers and good defense.

2nd Base - Kelly Johnson, lots of upside but maddingly inconsistent. Good power when on a streak. Still relatively young with only two full seasons in bigs. .280 to .290 potential with 15-20 HRs is pretty good for a 2B. Goes to sleep sometimes on defense.

Shortstop - Yunel Escobar, tons of upside. Possible .300 hitter with some pop. Still a young player with 1 full year of major league experience. Very good range and a cannon arm. The only thing that might hold him back is his attitude (which may be the reason the Braves were willing to part with him). Future All Star?

3rd Base - Chipper Jones, defending NL batting champion, future hall of famer, lifetime .300+ hitter, underrated defensively. The only question is can he play 145-150 games and when will his bat start to show it’s age?

Right Field - Jeff Francouer, still a young player, has all the tools. Banking on last year being an anomoly. Sometimes I think he thinks too much. Hopefully will return to pre2008 numbers. If Chipper thinks he is primed for a return to form then I beleive it. Got to learn to lay off the down and away slider. For all you Jeff Francouer haters out there he is not the first nor will he be the last young player to have a down year.

Center Field - Josh Anderson, a relatively unknown commodity. Great speed, decent average, steals bases, not much pop. Can cover Center Field but not too sure about his arm. Could be leadoff man if he hits for enough average.

Left Field - Currently I would say a platoon between Matt Diaz from the right side and Gregor Blanco/Brandon Jones from the left side. Matty can hit a bottle cap with a broom stick. He can hit both righties and lefties. He has some power though he is more of a line drive hitter. Not great range but a little underrated defensively. He will give 100 percent. I would love to see him given a chance to see what he can do every day.

The big questions I see that might keep this lineup from contending.

By don

January 20, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this

Francoeur is, to many, the face of the Braves. He will be fine and dissenters need to stay off his back. Don’t run him off.

Also, the Braves would be fools if they don’t at least give Andruw a chance. He is just 31 and could well bounce back. He is certainly a better risk than is the pitcher from Japan who pitched sparingly in a six man rotation. 23M for him? Pitiful. Surely, they can find 400K for Andy.

By This is funny

January 20, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this

Does anyone else think its sooooo funny that lawyer MANNY AURORA has to sue PACMAN JONES to get his $10,000 fee? Manny defended ole PAK-man so much on ATL radio a while back that I began to think PACman could walk on water(while poppin sum caps and slappin biatches)!

You know whut mama say MANNY…..lie down with dogs and wake up with fleas…. HA HA HA HA HA HA! Pakky will have to sell his grill.

Oh yea, Frenchy - just get over yourself and play ball.

By LivininAL

January 20, 2009 7:16 PM | Link to this

Frenchy is at it again, already talking himself up about next year as a “Franchise Player”. He needs to shut up an go play ball, listen to Chipper about ally to ally and realize he is performing at average at best as simply an everyday player. Become solid and stop thinking so much about himself.

By Will Not Happen

January 20, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this

He will not improve over last year, not this year, or next year or the years after. Pitchers have adjusted to him and he can’t adjust to them. Three sliders away and he walks back to the dugout and puts his bat in the rack. He has been given every opportunity to succeed even over other outfielders in the Braves minor league organization that were (and are) better than he is. The Braves have too much money tied-up in their bonus baby to not make him succeed (even at the expense of the club’s won-loss record). All the major league organizations do push their high draft choices because of the investment. Pay-for-Performance is the key. He didn’t perform so why should he get paid? He will and should lose the arbitration and should be embarassed to even consider it. PS. In the 60’s and 70’s the Braves were known to have the worst organization and they are heading in that direction again. Play the best and to heck with who makes the most.

By rowlandoffice

January 20, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this

In today’s DOB report, he says that Jeff is asking for nearly $4 million in arbitration. I think this guy just might be suffering from serious mental problems. He should look at all the tapes of his hideous flailing at bats, come back to reality and take a pay cut.

By Poorbrave

January 20, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this

No way Frenchy is worth more than KJ. 1 million and thats pushing it, or trade his a@@. Oh, forgot he has no value.

By alphagean

January 20, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this

Franceour has to get over his jealousy of Mac before he can move on. He probably never dreamed a pudgy catcher would become one of the top players in the National League. And he has to stop swinging for the fences and look for pitches.

Poorbrave, his trade value is probably why he hasn’t been traded. The Braves probably wanted more than some bats and balls for him.

By prattvillenolzfan

January 20, 2009 9:40 PM | Link to this

Franceour is nothing more than a spoiled brat. He is the epitomy of today’s prima donna athlete.

He comes off one of the worse statistical years EVER (3-20something with the bases loaded….) for a regular player.

If Franceour had hit 300 with the bases loaded, plus add a few sac. flies, the Braves would have won approximately 10-12 more games. Now that would not have won the pennant, but it would have at least given the Braves a closer record to 500 ball..

Now I’m reading he wants $4 million a year, A raise of over 10 times his salary from last year

Based on what

It’s time to trade that worthless, spoiled piece of 5hit to somewhere like Baltimore or Kansas City….

The sooner the better

By fresh

January 20, 2009 9:52 PM | Link to this

the “natural” wants 4 mil after being sent down last year. hey jeff if you’re gonna try and rob the braves, at least put on a mask and put a gun to their head. are you kidding me.

By bRAVES FAN 4EVER

January 20, 2009 10:08 PM | Link to this

Is this @ss-Klown for real???????????? Jeff please put the Bong AWAYYYYYYYYY!!!

By Franceour's Greed

January 20, 2009 10:31 PM | Link to this

Franceour are you F’in serious? You suck balls and you ask for that much money. You should be thankful to be playing for the braves in the bigs. You are asking for more money than Bmac makes and hes a three time all-star and two time silver slugger winner. You are such a douche. You only wish you could produce half the numbers brian does yet you ask for more money. You cry that fans boo you and you wonder why. You suck yet you think you deserve something. I wish we would trade you.

By Rusty

January 20, 2009 11:30 PM | Link to this

Francour will sign for 3.25 mill. He’ll bat 325, hit 32 homers, and drive in 110. MARK MY WORDS

By richbrave

January 21, 2009 12:31 AM | Link to this

I think you gotta’ go to the arbitration mat with JEFF. After last year, he’s asking for the moon. BRAVES have offered a fair contract. FRANCOUER’s got a lot to prove, and the team doesn’t need to spend another 1 million on a big question-mark.

By Mikeyy

January 21, 2009 3:00 AM | Link to this

francouers a douesh trade his as$ to baltimore for roberts

By MikeY

January 21, 2009 6:19 AM | Link to this

I do not see how the Braves offer Frenchy MORE than Kotchman or Johnson. Something is out of whack there. We should find a way to settle with Kotchman abd Johnson, but we should go to a hearing w/ Frenchy because our chances are good to win.

On Andruw, I do not think he is 31, I think he lied about his age when young, and that right now he is more like 35. And he was juiced when hitting well. Braves should offer a contract at the minor league level with incentives if he makes the team and more incentives and automatic MLB contract option year if he performs well. If he will not take a deal like that, say good riddance.

By LivininAL

January 21, 2009 7:59 AM | Link to this

By Rusty January 20, 2009 11:30 PM | Link to this Francour will sign for 3.25 mill. He’ll bat 325, hit 32 homers, and drive in 110. MARK MY WORDS (May happen if he is playing minor league ball in Mississippi )

Did the Braves not offer French a pretty decent long term contract back when they signed Mckann to his and Jeff was insulted by his offer? They need to give Kelly and Kotchman 3 million each and go arbritration with Jeff. Most players comming off the year he had would jump all aover a 2.8 million offer.

By Mitch

January 21, 2009 8:04 AM | Link to this

Looks like Franceour is as arrogant as ever. If I performed that poorly in my job, I would be unemployed and yet he has the nerve to ask for a mutil-million dollar raise. Yet another example of what is wrong with baseball.

By bRAVES FAN 4EVER

January 21, 2009 8:08 AM | Link to this

PUNK/Spoiled/Momma’s Boy/$hithead!!!

By Frechy Douch Bag

January 21, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

The only thing Franceour is good for is selling his T-shirts and jersey’s to 13 year old girls. Good PR move here Franceour. Way to get the fans on your side. Dumb A$$.

By Steve

January 21, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this

I know I had a better year than him last year, Am I due a raise 10 times my salary?

By Kelley

January 21, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this

Shocking.

A player who had a terrible year last year thinks he deserves a raise up to 4 million dollars—someone alert the media.

I think Frenchy has been spending too much time with Chipper and Smoltz, after he ran his mouth to the media last year about being sent down, he doesn’t deserve a big raise from the very organization he was so unprofessional to.

By Sam

January 21, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this

I have to agree with the other bloggers on this one. I like Franceour and sincerely hope he can cast off the Demons of 2008. But this is NOT the time to ask for a big raise. That just puts more pressure on his already fragile psyche and further alienates fans to boot. Seems like what Jeff really needs is a good sports shrink and a new agent.

By vermont 39

January 21, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this

Pay him his $$$$ and the others also…you skrimped all off season—-let’s start the year in tact—-we,the fans, are paying for it anyway

By Willy

January 21, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this

I wish I could perform like crap at work and then ask for a huge raise the next year. Incredible.

By 1eyedJack

January 21, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this

Generally in these situations the player asks for a dollar figure above what he feels his true worth is and the team offers a dollar figure below where they feel his true value lies and they generally agree on a contract somewhere in the middle.

In this case I think if I were the Braves I would stick to my guns. $2.8 mil seems a powerful lot of money for someone coming off the year he had. I think the Braves are being generous to a fault here. Hey Frenchy, take the $2.8 mil, have an outstanding season and then see if the Braves really love you or not. To this point you have not proved anything, except maybe that you are the next coming of Brad Komminsk.

Expect to see him leave when he becomes eligible for free agency if he is not traded before then.

By JDH

January 23, 2009 9:26 AM | Link to this

he went crying to his wife just so she could feel sorry for him and probably ended up sucking his c**