For some reason, Jeff Schultz wrote this week that he believed the Mets got the better end of the Church-Francoeur swap. Wow. Let’s put to rest any thoughts that the Mets are anything close to winners in this deal. First, it was certainly good for Francoeur that he got a change of scenery. He has definitely hit better since the trade and has fit into the Mets lineup nicely. However, the fact still remains that he is a .270 hitter that will struggle to top .300 in OBP over a full season. Throw in that he is at best a 20 homer guy and there is not a place for him in a good, everyday lineup as a corner outfielder.
If Jeff was a slick fielding shortstop, catcher, or center fielder, these numbers might make him valuable to many teams. However, corner infielders and outfielders must either get on base or hit for power. They can not be .270/19/90 guys after 600 at bats. You want to know who could put up those numbers in 600 at bats? Ryan Langerhans.
Now, let’s take a look at Church. Like Francoeur, Church is a corner outfielder that can play some center, and has little power. Career wise, their 162 game average for home runs is pretty close (Church – 17 & Francoeur 20). So, if we all agree that both guys are 4th outfielders on good teams, who would you rather have? A guy that is going to be .273/17/80 over 162 games with a .349 OBP or a .268/20/90 guy with a .308 OBP? It seems pretty apparent to me. Oh yea, and it is no coincidence that the Braves are 18-10 since the trade by acquiring the anti-Francoeur – a guy that sees a lot of pitches, draws walks, and does not strike out a lot. Who is the early winner in this deal? The Braves, without question…
Now to the MLB Draft…Something needs to be done to the current system quickly. While I think that the Nats signing Strasburg is still likely, the idea that he goes to Japan and then gets drafted by his hometown Padres with the #2 pick next year is scary. It should be a no-brainer for Washington to sign the #1 pick, especially when he is being offered the richest contract in MLB Draft history. But it is not just at the top where things are crazy. The Orioles just inked their 22nd rounder for $1 million dollars. Meanwhile, the Royals are offering #12 pick Aaron Crow $3 million and he has not accepted. The #4 pick agreed to $2.5 million months ago. Now the 12th pick is holding out for more than 3? After Crow spent a year in Independent ball? Dude is setting himself up to get hurt and never get paid…
There needs to be actual slots, not recommended slots. It makes no sense for the large market teams to take advantage of the draft. The draft should be for placing the top amateur players on the worst teams. The Red Sox, Yankees, and others over the years have taken top 10 talent in rounds 25+ and given six-figure bonuses to them. I mentioned Austin Jackson on here earlier in the week, he was a 7th round pick who got $1 million from the Yankees. The Royals have really been bitten by this in recent history. With the 2nd pick in 2007, they couldn’t afford to take Boras client Matt Wieters and risk not signing him. They were also scared off by Matt LaPorta’s demands and took the less risky Mike Moustakas who has struggled mightily in the minors while Wieters and LaPorta are top prospects. Change it quickly Bud…
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How does Schultz even approach the topic of the Mets "winning" the trade? The Braves were a .500 team with automatic outs at the end of the lineup that killed numerous rallies.
Church has come in and put Francouer in the past (even though articles like this are still too common), and reminded fans of the importance of working counts and getting on base. Now, the Braves are rolling and have reason to hope for playoff baseball.
Basically, the Schultz article is worthless and just a way to get a reaction. Debating a trade of 3rd/4th outfielders 3 weeks after it happens is a joke.
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