Royals and Braves to Swap Guillen for Francouer?

by Matt Buggenhagen on Jun 21, 2009 5:34 PM EDT Comment 9 comments

According to a report on MLB.com, the Kansas City Royals may be interested in trading for Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur.

It appears that the Royals have sent several scouts to watch Francoeur play this weekend in Boston.

Apparently in order for this deal to happen, it is assumed that the Braves would have to be willing to accept a salary dumb in return. Rumors speculate that Jose Guillen could potentially be a fit for the Braves to take.

Guillen is scheduled to make $12 million a year for the next two years when his contract expires following the 2010 season.

Guillen has certainly been a disappointment this year for the Royals; he is batting .266 with eight homers and 33 RBIs.

Francoeur has been equally as big a disappointment for Atlanta; he is batting .245 with four homers and 30 RBIs.

This potential deal could be one that benefits both sides. Sometimes these "change of scenery" trades work out well for all involved.

The Royals most certainly would love to obtain a player of Francoeur "potential", who is still only 25. In acquiring Guillen the Braves would hope to rekindle an old fire, from a very talented player.

Today the Braves held Jeff Francoeur out of the starting lineup, so stay tuned to see how this plays out.

Poll

Who would you rather have

Jose Guillen

176 votes

Jeff Francouer

262 votes

438 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 9 comments | Share

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Comments

Possible Factors of the trade

Guillen is a headcase, no doubt about that. Francouer has been under performing for the last couple years and needs to start performing or be benched. I would rather have Guillen now because he is producing more, but the Braves wil have to eat his 12 million dollar contract

by Humble Swagger on Jun 21, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who's voting for Frenchy?

You’d have to be insane to want a guy with a .281 OBP, esp. since he’s admitted that he doesn’t think it’s important. Guillen’s an average bat (.336 wOBA), compared to Francouer’s .270 wOBA.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jun 21, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Defense and age

Guillen is a dreadful fielder; Franceour is decent-to-good. Frenchy is also a lot younger and might (!) get better; Guillen will probably only get worse.

by Eric Simon on Jun 22, 2009 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, Francouer was pretty bad last year (-4.9 UZR/150)...

He’s been great in the years before that, but that’s a little concerning to see a huge dropoff.
Guillen’s been bad his entire career, but he had one good year in RF for the Nats in 2005, having a UZR/150 of 12.6, a few runs short of Frenchy’s two best seasons.
Both have been equally bad overall this year, at -0.6 WAR.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jun 22, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Talk about a poll with two impossible options to choose from.

Oh, Bobby.

by sdp on Jun 22, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am a braves fan and watch frenchy play every day and I am convinced theres is not another player in MLB with less offensive skills than him

by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jun 22, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This reminds me of the South Park

when the kids vote between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich.

by The #1 Bockel on Jun 22, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Francouer - no Brainer

Those of us in KC who are hopeless to be competitive in the next two years need any player who has potential, however slight. If we can unload any amount of Jose’s salary, the deal would be well worth executing.

DH: Where's the party!
Danny: David Howard and Mike Sweeney! Go away! Guys, you're gonna wake up my Mom!

by David Howards Legacy on Jun 22, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs