Mets, Braves Swap Church For Francoeur

Laroche is a really good fielder,

Laroach is no where near what Kasey is on the Diamond. not only does he make like no errors. he doesn't make mental errors anywhere. And LaRoach not only is Streaky but he is an oaf with little to no baseball intuition...

Posted by: Bravesfan13 | July 10, 2009 at 05:57 PM

SEASON TEAM POS G GS INN TC PO A E DP PB SB CS RF FPCT
2004 Atlanta Braves 1B 98 82 720.0 786 740 41 5 87 --- --- --- 9.76 .994
2005 Atlanta Braves 1B 125 117 1019.1 1154 1070 77 7 105 --- --- --- 10.13 .994
2006 Atlanta Braves 1B 142 130 1154.1 1219 1117 97 5 109 --- --- --- 9.47 .996
2007 Pittsburgh Pirates 1B 151 148 1301.1 1383 1296 81 6 154 --- --- --- 9.52 .996
2008 Pittsburgh Pirates 1B 129 128 1135.2 1219 1130 81 8 121 --- --- --- 9.60 .993
2009 Pittsburgh Pirates 1B 79 78 682.1 761 706 54 1 81 --- --- --- 10.02 .999
Career Totals 724 683 6013.0 6522 6059 431 32 657 --- --- --- 9.71 .995

Laroche has one error this year in more games that Kotchman.

Seriously, you want to replace a LH bat with another one?? Our problems are in the Outfield, not at 1st. I bet you two want Andruw back as well. Hey, Giles is still a FA ya know....

Posted by: BraveNewWorld | July 10, 2009 at 06:00 PM

I dont know, if andruw can hit 3HR in a game more often, ill take him, considering he hit 3HR in one game and anderson has 5hr all year

Odd trade to be sure, but it clear winner for the Braves. It was way beyond time for ATL and Frenchy to part ways. He was a fan favorite, but it's clear that Atlanta fans would rather win, and win now. Sometimes a fresh start is all you need, and that could be the same for both players. If i'm not mistaken wasn't Church close to being an all star last year. He has been injured a lot this year but we know he can play.

The Braves also freed up a lot of salary room, and I wouldn't be surprised if Church's stay in Atlanta is really only a 2 week layover. He brings a lot of trade value, so with him and and the extra cash, the Braves might be in position to make a move and get Holliday or Luke Scott.

I cant believe the amount of Braves fans here that are upset about this. We just got rid of the worst RF in baseball for the last 2.5 yrs. If you think he still has power, wait until he plays in that park. Ryan Church will put up better number in ATL, but the biggest thing is that Jeff's attitude and selfishness are out of ATL. Its a win for ATL. I wouldve traded him for a bag of baseballs, hell even just one baseball

Kotchmans offense is what sucks folks.

it doesn't suck. He just isn't a prototypical 1st baseman with a huge amount of power...get off it...KJ off sucks...Frency's off sucks....274 with like 20 doubles 4 hrs and 31 rbi's doesn't suck...

im not upset about the trade, im lmao that people would rather have kotchman's 1 less error than Laroche's more homeruns and barely lower average(i know its by 20 points this year, but Laroche had a better average than kotchman last year.)

yes! Francoeur has potential! Mets win this deal.

"

I cant believe the amount of Braves fans here that are upset about this. We just got rid of the worst RF in baseball for the last 2.5 yrs. If you think he still has power, wait until he plays in that park. Ryan Church will put up better number in ATL, but the biggest thing is that Jeff's attitude and selfishness are out of ATL. Its a win for ATL. I wouldve traded him for a bag of baseballs, hell even just one baseball"

Posted by: csg | July 10, 2009 at 06:05 PM

Thank you!

Dont forget the other part of this trade. The Mets also recieve a pair of underwear with little Turkeys on them.

Well not every aspect. Frency has the most outfield assists since 2005..

Bravesfan13...I understand your position regarding Kotchman. However, the Braves need a big bat, they need power.

18 doubles and only ahs struck out 24 times. Bottom line is he is a great Glove and puts the ball in play everytime up there...LaRoach can't say that.

Posted by: Bravesfan13 | July 10, 2009 at 06:11 PM

Laroche has 22 doubles. Laroche has struck out 70 times, but he has played in more games and I NEVER said LAROCHE WAS PERFECT

86 mets, would you trade church and kotchman for Adam Laroche. (which is pretty much trading frenchy and kotchman for laroche)

Posted by: BrentWt34 | July 10, 2009 at 06:12 PM

I don't think I'd trade Kotchman straight up for Laroche...Laroche would be a slight upgrade for this season, but he leaves a big hole to fill in the offseason. Kotchman is still cheap, and under control for several more seasons.

Why is everyone defending Kotchman as if he were Ryan Howard. Don't you people get it? Braves need a power hitting first baseman. Kotchman has a projected homerun total of 8 on the season... we need a bat folks!

"This just in, Minaya says that the deal is off. He thought Francoeur was a Latin name.

Posted by: OklahomaBrave | July 10, 2009 at 06:08 PM "

that was pretty funny!! you know, here in puerto rico, they are called the borimets for all the puerto ricans they have on their roster. (delgado, beltran, santos, cora, pagan, feliciano, ramon martinez, etc.)

Bravesfan13

I see the point your trying to make but you can't really argue the RBI stat, cause that has more to do with who is batting in front of you.

The LaRoche lovers don't understand that we don't have a hole in 1st, we have a hole in the Outfield.

And today, the Braves finally did something to patch that hole up just a little bit by trading away their false Golden Boy.

Then who is bravesfan13 where they dont have to give up more than kotchman and churh and no prospects

"And today, the Braves finally did something to patch that hole up just a little bit by trading away their false Golden Boy."
------------------------
Yeah, by acquiring a 6 year older backup outfielder displaying less power and incapable of staying healthy.

The brilliance of Braves fans shines once again.

look bravesnewworld, i agree the braves have a outfield problem, but that needs to be settled in the offseason.

Braves need to put a package together of some sort and go after a big bat.
Lets put some runs on the board.
Aren't we all tired of this below .500 crap?

and you don't have to use Kotchman in the deal. Medlin, Gonzo, KJ when he is healthy. Conrad, Barboro, Conrad and Barboro are both 29 and can be delt without a second thought. Both good but career minor leagers who could get a second breath somewhere else. Hell Bring Barbaro up he is right handed and can rake.

piere is owed more money than laroche, scott is having his having 1 good season, hermida is the left handed version of franceour, dukes is a thug. And willingham is having a downyear.

Posted by: BrentWt34 | July 10, 2009 at 06:29 PM

I'd disagree on Scott, he was pretty good in Houston, and is finally showing what he can do with regular at bats.

At his current salary, Kotchman is probably OK, and I would certainly rather have him than LaRoche at a much higher salary + the loss of another player. But it DOES limit your options when you have a defensive oriented 1B in the lineup. You better have a pretty good slugging outfield (which the Braves don't) or you better have a Hanley Ramirez or Chase Utley type in the middle to compensate (which almost no one has).

I think the Braves best chance of improving the offense at this point is to improve the OF. It's still a problem, even with the McLouth trade and even with this trade. Though I certainly like Church better than Francouer, even if he is LH--he's a much better hitter, and better fielder. Should make a great platoon partner for Diaz in right.

Now if only we could go back in time and NOT sign GA, and get Josh Willingham from the Nats in April when they thought he wouldn't even start. Probably could have had him for a bag of peanuts. Sigh.

look bravesnewworld, i agree the braves have a outfield problem, but that needs to be settled in the offseason.

Posted by: BrentWt34 | July 10, 2009 at 06:26 PM

Doesn't look like the Braves are waiting for the off-season. With the acquisition of McLouth and the improvement offensively with Church, they're making moves now. But who knows, I honestly think Church gets turned right back around for another bat instead.

I'm just not understanding how you came up with acquiring LaRoche as a solution. Casey is doing fine and gets on base at a much better clip. Garret and Jeff were the problems.

“Genius for Wren. He makes his team better, and the Mets worse.”

Yep, lol

“Two gross displays of complete lack of understanding of OBP and defense by GMs in one day? Two release-worthy players traded for value in one day?

This is hilarious. Can't wait to see which DFA candidate is moved next.”

Yep :) Nuts huh! And I really, really, really hope the next is one Aaron Miles!!! Maybe the Pirates will give us Capps for him :)

Now, I haven’t read all the posts, so not sure if anyone else mentioned this. But has anyone thought of Francoeur in New York? Really, think about Jeff, who brings nothing more then occasional power, in a park that diminishes power!

You think Francoeur was bad in Atlanta, just wait till you see him at CitiField!

Yeah, by acquiring a 6 year older backup outfielder displaying less power and incapable of staying healthy.

The brilliance of Braves fans shines once again.

Posted by: Timotheus | July 10, 2009 at 06:24 PM

What was Francoeur doing on this team that was any better?? Look at the numbers. It's an improvement, son. You'll just have to wait and see.

ahhh yes im clearly the one who is smoking soemthing...

thank you DavidA could have knowin that just by watching the Series last weekend against the Nats....

Braves make a run at jake fox! Hes exactly what you need.

BraveNewWorld...."Casey is doing fine"...Really?
He has a projected season homerun total of 8. Wake up.

LOL LaRoche is not coming back. Great effort and reasoning to bring him back, but he is not an upgrade. Like I said, and if you are a Braves fan that pays attention, our troubles are not at 1st, our troubles are that McLouth is the only one producing out in the outfield.

And Timmy, if you can't understand that Francoeur was a dead end on this team and that Church is a definite upgrade albeit a small one, then I don't know what to say to you other than I suggest you start watching the games a bit closer after today.

This is an OK move Minaya did, it's not the best move. Francoeur, I think, will be an all star in the future. Francoeur is 25 years old, Church is about 30 years old, so Francoeur has more years to develop into a good baseball player, unlike Church, who will never be.

Church is mediocre and so is Francour. Both will make little impact.Church is oft-injured and Frenchy will do terrible in that big pasture they call Citifield. Whatever.

BraveNewWorld......are you serious? Kotchman .300 with 15 homeruns. Yeah, maybe if he was on Roids.

Ha, Mets got ripped off.

I don't think this trade is over for the Braves. Maybe they'll go after a better outfielder with Church, perhaps Holliday? I would agree with several others - Church will be a much better fit for the Braves. Francoeur needed a change of scenery.

As a Braves fan who enjoyed watching Francoeur's first year, I'm a tiny bit disappointed. But as one who watched him the rest of the time, I have to say, this is a great deal for the Braves. Church is a great player with a cheaper contract. He doesn't have the arm that Francoeur does but perhaps they both could use a change of scenery. I certainly wish Jeff the best of luck.

All I heard from Braves fans was how much J.F. sckd & how they'd trade him for "a bag of balls" etc & now all this whining. Yes, his 3 double night last night was awesome, but it was rare.

This is a good day for the Braves. Sorry Francoeur family....

I like Kotchman myself, and he's good enough, frankly, but, I love this quote.

"Casey with ... 74 RBI in 143 games last season. Stats don't lie."

If you use RBI as a stat, the stat is lying. I had to laugh. Point is, he was in the deep Angels lineup most of that time, heavily raising the RBI total. If you give me some time, I'll compute his Runs Created (RC; SABR version of RBI), myself. Yes, I compute metrics myself, without Fangraphs, THT, Law, or the like giving them to me sometimes.

I'll give y'all the equation, too; it's very long.

I like Kotchman myself, and he's good enough, frankly, but, I love this quote.

"Casey with ... 74 RBI in 143 games last season. Stats don't lie."

If you use RBI as a stat, the stat is lying. I had to laugh. Point is, he was in the deep Angels lineup most of that time, heavily raising the RBI total. If you give me some time, I'll compute his Runs Created (RC; SABR version of RBI), myself. Yes, I compute metrics myself, without Fangraphs, THT, Law, or the like giving them to me sometimes.

I'll give y'all the equation, too; it's very long.

I like Kotchman myself, and he's good enough, frankly, but, I love this quote.

"Casey with ... 74 RBI in 143 games last season. Stats don't lie."

If you use RBI as a stat, the stat is lying. I had to laugh. Point is, he was in the deep Angels lineup most of that time, heavily raising the RBI total. If you give me some time, I'll compute his Runs Created (RC; SABR version of RBI), myself. Yes, I compute metrics myself, without Fangraphs, THT, Law, or the like giving them to me sometimes.

I'll give y'all the equation, too; it's very long.

I'd argue that Schnieder was the main piece for the Mets

Ok, could anybody see a 3 team trade involving the Blue Jays, phillies, and Braves, here it is....

The Blue Jays send Roy Halladay to the Philliles and a prospect to the Braves.

The Phillies send Jason Werth to the Braves, Kyle Drabek and Dominic Brown to the Blue Jays.

The Braves send Ryan Church to the Phillies, Kris Medlen, and Diory Hernandez to the BlueJays.

The phillies get Halladay, Which they so need. The braves get the right handed power bat in werth, and the blue jays get overwelmed with players for halladay (2 top prospects, solid SS, and great CF.)

BUt the thing is, the phillies only give up 2 prospects and a current player

I'm sorry Brent but I don't see a trade of that stature happening in our own division. I've heard Drabek is untouchable.

lol this trade is really funny. I think the braves got something that may work for them right now and the mets are crazy if they think french is gonna hit consistently in new york with all the pressure and the ballpark. The braves and the mets are completely blowing this season though. The braves pitching is so good but they cant hit consistently and the mets are old and crusty and there wonder boy reyes might not be all he was supposed to be anyways. Two teams reaching for a cheap solution to there problems. Nobody will truly win this but the braves clearly will short term if church can stay healty. He will hit.

There seems to be a consensus - fans of neither club are particularly happy

Way to go Wren. He just unloaded a negative WAR player with little hope of turning it around for a quality 4th OF who could potentially start in RF. Church is nothing special but he's not a huge dissapointment who refuses to adjust his approach and just flat out sucks. Church has a .790 career OPS, Frenchy is at .732. Enjoy Mets fans

And as far as bringing Church back at the end of the season, I think one of he and Matt Diaz will be back as a 4th OF but neither will be starting. Schafer should be in center, with McLouth in a corner, and a FA signing or trade should produce the other OF