Thursday, August 12, 2010

The Delusion and Downfall of Jeff Francoeur

By The Common Man

By now, you've probably figured out that The Common Man thinks he's pretty damn funny. But really, there’s nothing funnier than Jeff Francouer thinking that he should have a starting gig in Major League Baseball. Jeffy, the league could expand by 5 teams next year, and those five teams could find 10 corner OFers better than you. That said, Craig's right that the minute Francouer decides he doesn't want to play everyday is the day he's done as a big leaguer.

The trouble, of course, is that he has hit .267/.309/.426 for his career, which is a 91 OPS+. That means that Francouer has been below average for a major league hitter, let alone one who plays a premium offensive position. If we discount his amazing run as a 21 year old rookie in 2005, Francour has an OPS+ of 88. The problem, as always, is that Jeffy just has no strikezone judgment to speak of. Frenchy’s 3.65 K/BB ration is 13th highest since 1920 among players with more than 3000 plate appearances. And his stubborn refusal or complete inability to learn how to hit for 6 years has demonstrated that Jeff Francoeur is now what he always will be, and that is a 4th or 5th outfielder, at best.

Any team that offers him any more than a chance to platoon against lefties is filled with boobs, ninnies, and nincompoops. Come to think of it, he may fit in well in Houston.

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