Could Jeff Francoeur be returning to the NL East?
Onetime Braves phenom Jeff Francoeur may have something to say about his former team's pursuit of its first division crown in six years.
The Phillies are reportedly interested in the Lilburn native, now playing for the Kansas City Royals. Francoeur has experienced a bit of a resurgence this season, driving in 58 runs -- five more than childhood pal Brian McCann, whose 53 RBI leads the Braves.
The Phillies, like the Braves, covet an inexpensive right-handed hitting outfielder, though Atlanta would prefer one who could play center field.
Francoeur is on his third team since being dealt to the New York Mets for Ryan Church in July 2009. He batted .340 down the stretch for the American League champion Texas Rangers last season after being acquired from the Mets.
The Phillies are hitting .235 versus southpaws -- nearly .100 points less than Francoeur, who has slugged eight home runs in 87 AB's this season against left-handed pitchers.
The Braves have performed even more feebly against lefties but don't count on a homecoming for the Parkview High legend, who endured a stormy final season-and-a-half in Atlanta.
It's possible Francoeur stays put in Kansas City. According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Royals would prefer trading another ex-Brave: Melky Cabrera, who's in the midst of a career-best season one year after his career-worst campaign in Atlanta.
It's safe to assume the Braves aren't interested in Cabrera, either.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
