Kansas City Royals Extend Jeff Francoeur Contract 2 Years

by Justin Bopp on Aug 18, 2011 1:36 PM EDT in MLB Breaking News

UPDATE (12:37 PM CST): Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star is reporting that the deal for Francoeur is worth $13.5 million over two years. I have to admit that's probably a bit higher than I ever would have gone for the right fielder.

ORIGINAL REPORT (10:23 AM CST): Jeff Francoeur's contract with the Kansas City Royals has been extended two years, according to Danny Knobler via twitter. The 27 year-old righty has had somewhat of a resurgent year with the Royals, hitting .278 / .328 / .465, all higher than his career averages in each.

This unsurprising-if-you-know-Dayton-Moore move locks down the right side of the field for the next two years in Kansas City, where Francoer's arm has been one of the bright spots on the dismal-record-but-bright-future youth-driven team.

The question for KC, which Dayton Moore is apparently answering, is whether or not Frenchy's eventual regression (we're still betting he'll regress to his career averages, right?) is a cost worth paying to have his cannon-arm in right field. His 'amazing leadership' notwithstanding, of course.

As noted in a @mlbdailydish tweet last night, the Royals have somehow managed to rank right in the middle (6th) of the American League for Total Bases, a decent measure of on-base ability (which admittedly ignores park factors, luck, and opposing defenses). However, their record as the 3rd-worst team in either league belies how badly they need pitching. Perhaps now Kansas City can start moving that direction.

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Remember this bad boy?

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by Chris St. John on Aug 18, 2011 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

As a KC fan, it's hard for me to get too upset right now.

I mean, he can’t get on base most of the time, arm strength is overrated and not-that-valuable, and the leadership/grit factor is already overplayed. But w/e. I like him.

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by Justin Bopp on Aug 18, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

My first thought when I saw this was that it’s a solid signing for them. They have him through 2013, which is about when Wil Myers is trending to be ready (I’m figuring he will be in AA again next year after missing time with injuries), and gives them a player who isn’t another rookie. I’m not sure I buy into the idea of veteran leadership, or that he would necessarily provide it, but considering the rest of the Royals roster, he might be enough.

Now if they can just get some pitching in there to go with all these kids….

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by Jason Hunt on Aug 18, 2011 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

I'll take that argument.

I don’t think it’s fool proof, though. And the money? That pushes this signing just past the entrance to badmoveville.

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by Justin Bopp on Aug 18, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, if it was for like $8 million, I'd probably get it

They should have just exercised his 2012 option and dealt with 2013 later.

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by Satchel Price on Aug 18, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I was saying to Rob over at home base that this likely

means that either Melky or Cain is gone, too. His point is that either would be a better option than Frenchy, and I think he’s right.

Managing Editor at Beyond the Box Score and MLB Daily Dish. Follow me @justinbopp

by Justin Bopp on Aug 18, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, they should've tendered Melky for 2012 and declined Frenchy's option

Gordon in LF, Cain in CF and Melky in RF next season.

Yes, my real name is actually Satchel.
I'm a columnist for Beyond the Box Score and a writer for MLB Daily Dish.
Oh, I'm on Twitter, too.

by Satchel Price on Aug 18, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Also,

I would’ve gone up to $10M-ish, but yeah, $8M would have me nodding in understanding. This gets me twisted, completely.

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by Justin Bopp on Aug 18, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

It's just reflects poorly on their evaluation

It basically means they view him as a solid everyday player, and, well, he’s been that once now in the past few years.

Yes, my real name is actually Satchel.
I'm a columnist for Beyond the Box Score and a writer for MLB Daily Dish.
Oh, I'm on Twitter, too.

by Satchel Price on Aug 18, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

There is an undercurrent here, though,

and that’s the Royals value something of which we’re not aware or have already dismissed (like leadership).

The problem, and I’m certain you’d agree, is that if they are paying for something like leadership, they’re paying more than anyone else is. And that’s assuming the ridiculousness could even be quantified in the first place.

Managing Editor at Beyond the Box Score and MLB Daily Dish. Follow me @justinbopp

by Justin Bopp on Aug 18, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions