Would you want Jeff Francoeur?

by jonpyardi on Jul 17, 2006 8:12 AM CDT

With OBP and OPS the new trend in valuing players, Jeff Francoeur is quite an interesting player to discuss. Francoeur is now hitting 261/283/441 with an OPS of 724, which is down from the 884 from last season. This season is probably closer to what you will actually get from Francoeur, but it is interesting to notice that his OBP is pretty putrid. So, my question to you, without taking into account his age (and further player development), would you want a player in right field hitting 261/283/441 with 17 HRs and 64 RBIs at this point in the season.

The reason I ask is that Ryan Harvey, now at Daytona, may one day end up being that player. Harvey struggled early in the season, but is now starting to hit, but he doesn't walk, strikes out a ton, but does produce HRs and RBIs.

Discuss.

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Poll

Would you want Jeff Francoeur?

yes

21 votes

no

30 votes

51 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Francoeur

is also known for his impatience at the plate too. 50/50 on him.

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Jul 17, 2006 8:36 AM CDT reply actions

No

Francoeur can hit at times, but I've seen way to much of OBP's around .280..

by ontheuptick on Jul 17, 2006 8:38 AM CDT reply actions

Me too.

Cubbie Blue will always sPaRkLe in my eyes, but please stop losing. PLEASE!

by sparkles721 on Jul 17, 2006 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

God No

Could you imagine Francoeur with Dusty telling him to "keep aggressive?" LOL

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 17, 2006 8:45 AM CDT reply actions

very funny

Check out my Cubs Minor League System website: Top Cubs Prospects

by jonpyardi on Jul 17, 2006 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd take Francoeur,

just on the small chance that he develops some plate discipline. Worst case, he's a decent 4th outfielder, with lots of pop and a bad OBP. If he does develop some plate discipline, he could become a great player - look at what happened to Sammy Sosa's career once he learned to take a walk.

by mportsch on Jul 17, 2006 9:04 AM CDT reply actions

What makes you think...

... that Francoeur would even be available? Why is this even a question to consider?

Further, Ryan Harvey will NEVER be a major league player. He's this decade's Earl Cunningham.

by Al Yellon on Jul 17, 2006 9:29 AM CDT reply actions

You misunderstood

I wasn't saying the Cubs should acquire Francoeur, but just posing it as an open ended question, mostly because of Harvey's odd numbers. Harvey is currently posting low batting averages and OBP, but producing HRs and more interesting RBIs despite his low average.

Francoeur may be a good "best case scenario" for a player like Ryan Harvey, so I was curious what others thought.

Check out my Cubs Minor League System website: Top Cubs Prospects

by jonpyardi on Jul 17, 2006 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Francoeur

is too streaky, because when he's not hitting he's not getting on. DLee could go a week without getting a hit and still be on base consistently. Home runs aren't the only thing that matters, Francoeur will miss out on plenty of chances to score runs because he's not on base. He'll also make a lot of bad outs because he swings at everything. The whole point of swinging at pitches in the strike zone is so you can get a good pitch to hit. When you swing at crap 2 feet outside the zone you can't expect to hit it well. Botton line is that he was lucky enough last year to be on a hot streak when he came up and now he's overrated and will never live up to that hype again. Horrible plate discipline will keep him from ever being a great player.

No, I wouldn't want him on the team.

by pageian on Jul 17, 2006 10:15 AM CDT reply actions