Braves sign Jeff Francoeur to minor-league deal

The Braves have agreed to a minor-league deal with outfielder Jeff Francoeur, according to a team announcement. The deal includes an invite to major-league spring training.

Francoeur, 32, returns to Atlanta after spending the first five years of his major-league career with the team and winning a Gold Glove in 2007. "Frenchy" appeared in 631 games with the Braves from 2005 to 2009, registering a .266/.308/.424 line with 78 home runs before being to the Mets before the 2009 trade deadline.

Francoeur will likely compete for a spot in the Braves' outfield this spring, and will gain the upper hand on the competition if Atlanta is able to move Nick Swisher or Michael Bourn, who they are shopping on the trade market. Atlanta is currently slated to have a starting outfield of Nick Markakis, Ender Inciarte and Hector Olivera, with Swisher and Bourn being joined by utility men Kelly Johnson and Emilio Bonifacio in the backup mix.

Francoeur spent last season with the Phillies, hitting .258/.286/.433 with 13 home runs in 119 games. He is a veteran of 11 major-league seasons with the Braves (2005-09), Mets (2009-10), Rangers (2010), Royals (2011-13), Giants (2013), Padres (2014) and Phillies (2015).