Braves Need Outfield Upgrade

Written by Colin on June 12, 2009 – 5:31 am

Batting .240. One home run every 10 games. An on base percentage of .272. Folks, those aren’t last year’s stats.

Jeff Francoeur – “The Natural” – came into Spring Training with a new outlook on life. He was swinging differently, poking opposite field hits again, and promised he’d stick to his guns. But here we are, 25% of the way through the season, and he’s right back where he was last year. He’s playing worse than Garret Anderson, for crying out loud. And that’s saying something.

As much as it pains me to make this assessment, it might be time for Jeff to go. He needs a change of scenery. That’s nothing more than my personal opinion. But I’ve stood up for Jeff for the longest time. He’s just the hole in our lineup that needs patching at this point. Between him and Diaz/Anderson in left, our corner outfield positions have no bite. I’ll go ahead and say it – either Francoeur is moving or Diaz/Anderson are moving before the trade deadline. What other positions do we upgrade? Second base – who are we going to land there? We got McLouth. We need more offense. We can’t have traded for McLouth and still not have enough firepower. The pitching staff is solid. We have to make a run. And I’m not convinced that Francoeur has what it takes to play right field full-time on a contending team.

That’s hard for me to do. I really really REALLY like the guy. I really want him to succeed. I want him to turn it around starting tomorrow and prove me wrong. But a .240 average with a projected 16 home runs isn’t what we need out of a corner outfielder if we are to couple a potent offense with our pitching staff.

If we can keep Francoeur, I’ll be happy. But he’s got to step it up, and I don’t see that happening. He’s gone to the minors for a game or two. He’s changed his swing. He’s reverted to his old hack-and-hope mindset, and now I think it’s time to cut bait.

Tell me how I’m wrong. Convince me otherwise. But for now I’m looking at who can replace Francoeur, Anderson, and Diaz. We have got to get better offensive output from our outfield.


Tags: ,
Posted in Speculation | 14 Comments »


14 Responses to “Braves Need Outfield Upgrade”

  1. By josh on Jun 12, 2009 | Reply

    I will help him pack and drive him to the airport!!

  2. By dave on Jun 12, 2009 | Reply

    Colin I am sorry to say this , but I agree with you. I have supported Jeff all the way but something needs to change. I suggest send Jeff down and bring up Cody Johnson for 2 weeks and see what happens. I think Prado when he is healthy is the second baseman.I think we should send Kelly down or trade him. I also have been a supporter of Kelly , but I am tired of automatic outs from Jeff, Kelly and Greg Norton. Norton average just don't get it. It is time to release him someone can beat this. Garrett Anderson acts like he does not want to be here. Either he can't run or does not care I don't know which. I do not think Schafer is the answer this year or maybe never. I know he had an injury, but i was not that impressed. Colin I agree we need to consider making some moves. The Phillies tail lights are getting dim. Pitching aint the problem anymore. I feel sorry for our pitchers. Between them they should have won 15 more games.

  3. By chris on Jun 12, 2009 | Reply

    I have always been a Jeff fan…but I agree. McLouth is fine in center. Heyward deserves a look. Another opinion is our speed guys should be bunting a couple of times a game and using that speed. Kelly has it in his head that he's a power hitter most of the time and although he has pop he also has speed that we need on the bases.

  4. By Brian on Jun 13, 2009 | Reply

    I'm tempted to agree, but he IS on a pace to drive in almost 100 runs. This guy will never hit for average, but he could well be a good RBI guy, particularly if he ever again starts hitting well with RISP.

  5. By BeachGaBulldog on Jun 13, 2009 | Reply

    Jeff does need to go. I like the guy too, but I don't see him ever improving for us. He does need a fresh start somewhere else. I get so frustrated every time I watch his at-bats, because its the same thing. He swings at the first pitch, misses and looks bad doing it. He takes cuts at pitches out of the strike zone. His lack of patience and inability to draw walks is ridiculous. Obviously, his work in the offseason with the Texas Rangers hitting coach was a waste of time, because Frenchy is back to his old bad habits.
    And of course, its not just Jeff. In my opinion, Terry Pendleton needs to go. He is the HITTING COACH, and whatever he does isn't working, and hasn't for a long time. Cox won't do it, because his "loyalty" which is WAY OVERBOARD.
    Garrett is a bust, Diaz is a hacker like Jeff, and Kelly Johnson has never dazzled me either. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE NOW. Changing the batting order won't help, nor sitting guys out. Unless major changes are made, this team will continue to be at .500 or below.

  6. By Mark on Jun 13, 2009 | Reply

    I was high on jeff this year, ill admit i jumped on the wagon. But its obvious hes a selfish ball player and wont listen to advice about hitting, i really thought by getting help from the rangers hitting coach he would change his actions. if there are men in scoring position and jeff, kelly, matt or garrett is batting, its sad but i dont even get excited cause i know whats coming….impatient hitting and a out somewhere….were still in the running and we need to do something now. Wren's proactive approach to making our team better is awesome, and it will be only a matter of time before he makes a move in right field.

  7. By Discouraged on Jun 14, 2009 | Reply

    Is there another position that David Ross can play? He has some badly needed power. How about letting Ross play first base and fill in for McCann went he needs it. We have a bunch of singles hitters with no speed. I like Kelly Johnson, but the pitchers are pitching him away and he hasn't learned to adjust. Do any of these guys listen to Terry Pendleton or is he inept as a hitting coach?

  8. By dave on Jun 15, 2009 | Reply

    After a bad outing from Lowe I didn't think our offense could go much lower, but today it did. I know it is a game of ups and downs, but this season is is going from a bad cold to a chronic illness. Without the right medicine soon this season is going to die. I sorry to be so pessimistic, but we do not beat the teams we should. It seem to me if a team is struggling just play the Braves that will cure whatever is wrong with them. I am a Braves fan i don't care about any other team. It is so painful for me to see this pattern continue. I don't have all the answers, it just seems no matter who we bring in the results are the same. I thought when McLouth came things would turn around. Maybe they will soon, but I think some other moves are going to have to be made. I agree if Ross can play first base lets do it, that is a move in the right direction. David Ross was a great signing for the Braves. Let us hope we turn it around soon.

  9. By Mark on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply

    wow another double play for jeff with the bases loaded…..absolutly pathetic. Its time to find a replacement.

  10. By Mike on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply

    Amen Brother. All he had to do is poke a SAC-FLY into the outfield and we would have at least scored 1 run – but nooooooooo, he swings for the fence and grounds into anouther DP to end the inning and strand 3. If this team could do the little things correctly like SAC-FLY, hit behind the runner and bunt we might could win a series. When was the last time the braves won a home stand or away series?

  11. By Mike on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply

    An RBI man? He chokes whenever he comes to the plate wth runners in scoring position. He constantly swings for the fence and is NOT a contact hitter. He's a free swinging hacker with no concept of the strike zone. An RBI man, are we talking about the same guy?

  12. By Mike on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply

    Hell, I'll buy his ticket!

  13. By Mark on Jun 18, 2009 | Reply

    its like we dont know how to play small ball….were not a power hitting team and we dont steal bases….so what are we???? im so frustrated.

  14. By Ty. on Jun 30, 2009 | Reply

    Anderson played here in Anaheim for his whole career. its not that he doesnt care, he is a very reserved player and humble. he doesnt run when he doesnt need to. which is smart. he is a quite player and is doing a lot better than 75% of the batters so give him a break

Post a Comment


BravesBlast.com is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Atlanta Braves organization. Views expressed on this site do not reflect the views of the Atlanta Braves organization.