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Francoeur’s Arbitration and ‘09 Season
Written by Colin on January 21, 2009 – 11:59 pmIt’s not breaking news, but if you didn’t know, the Braves and Jeff Francoeur traded salary arbitration figures yesterday. The interesting thing is that there’s a $1.15 million discrepancy in their figures. Francoeur wants $3.95 million, and the Braves are offering $2.8 million. We’ll see if they come to an agreement before arbitration next month or battle it out in front of a third party.
Either way, I’d like to point out that Francoeur made $460,000 last year. While that’s not pocket change, let’s look at the difference in what he made last year and what the Braves are offering him this year – $2.3 million. Last year he batted only .239 with just 11 home runs and 71 RBIs. Now, I’ve been trading emails and thoughts with a few people, and the question has been primarily “Will he turn it around or is last year going to repeat itself?”
Frankly, the Braves would NOT under any circumstances offer him $2.8mil if they thought he wasn’t going to turn it around. Francoeur will be back, people. He’s made adjustments to his swing (mostly focusing on keeping his hands back, staying balanced, and having a shorter stride), and he’s lost weight. Francoeur will be back this year, and I can’t wait to see it. He’s a great guy, a hometown personality, and I want to see him succeed. I’m not going to predict numbers, but I’m not alone in thinking he’ll be back.
In a bit of other news today, the Braves are working their way towards establishing a new radio broadcast team to replace Pete Van Wieren and Skip Caray. Pete retired at the end of last season following Skip’s unexpected death. According to a few sources, the Braves are in talks with the Washington Nationals to bring Don Sutton back to Atlanta after a two-year absence.
Sutton served as an announcer in Atlanta from 1996-2006 before heading north to serve as a member of the Nationals’ broadcast team for the past two seasons. Though he still has two years left on his contract with the Nationals, many of Sutton’s colleagues have indicated that he would love the opportunity to return to the Braves organization.
The Braves have already hired Jim Powell, who has been a part of the Brewers’ broadcast team the past 13 years, to be the second member of the radio duo.
Tags: Don Sutton, Jeff Francoeur, Pete Van Wieren, Skip Caray
Posted in General | 7 Comments »
By Grant on Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
Something interesting about Francoeur and his arbitration is that he could have had the same contract that his buddy Brian McCann has, as the Braves offered both of them the same deal two springs ago. Francoeur is believed to have been seeking David Wright's deal (6-years $55) at the time, and even turned down a second offered extension this past May. Hindsight is 20/20.
By jadarm on Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
I would love to get Don Sutton back. He offered some fantastic insight to the games that he called. I hope it works out.
By Colin Ake on Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
Yep, I imagine Francoeur wishes he took that contract now, but you can't expect to be able to foresee the future. I'm just happy he's maturing.
By Larry312 on Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
I'm afraid Francoeur and the Braves are growing apart. Ever since he went down to the minors its seemed that the relationship isn't the same. I think there's a good chance this goes to arbitration. We may be seeing the very last of Francoeur here in the near future. They do have Heyward waiting.
By Jonathan on Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
I'm with you on that one, Larry. I have a feeling that this arbitration process for Francoeur is going to be very telling on how the rest of his time here in Atlanta is going to go. I'm hoping that he gets it together this season and gets back on track, but we'll see how it all turns out.
By Jonathan on Jan 23, 2009 | Reply
Definitely. It's hard to replace Skip and Pete, but Sutton's a good step in the right direction.
By Keith on Jan 23, 2009 | Reply
You bet that if this goes to arbitration, win or lose that Frank will be playing for another team next year. This guy is too erractic. That being said, I hope he has a really good season so we can maximize our return on a trade during 2009-2010 hot stove season.