Jeff Francoeur Rumors

Odds and Ends: Holliday, Takahashi, Lincecum

By Tim Dierkes [November 12, 2008 at 4:00pm CST]

Links for Wednesday... Richard Justice says the Astros should offer Andy Pettitte $7-8MM to come back. Joe Christensen doesn't see Huston Street landing in Minnesota. Larry Beinfest dismissed a "cyberspace rumor" that the Marlins are planning a run at Manny Ramirez. Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs could fit both Jake Peavy and Ryan Dempster into the payroll, and that the Peavy situation will be resolved first. Today is the deadline for MLB.com's Free Agent Frenzy. You have until 4pm CST to submit your picks for 15 free agents. Here are my predictions from November 3rd...I would change the Furcal and... Continue Reading

More Odds And Ends: Padres, Francoeur, Manny, Phillies

By Cork Gaines [November 6, 2008 at 4:28pm CST]

A few more notes from the MLBiverse... Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Padres have not set their '09 payroll but that it could be as low as $40MM. Krasovic also notes that the Braves are not one of the teams that have inquired about Khalil Greene. Also, Kevin Towers continues to sound positive about the possibility of resigning Trevor Hoffman. The Padres have offered Hoffman a one-year deal for $4MM with a '10 option at the same price. Paul DePodesta comments about all of the rumors that are swirling on his personal blog. We... Continue Reading

Royals May Be Done

By Tim Dierkes [November 6, 2008 at 9:55am CST]

Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star talked to Royals GM Dayton Moore, who suggested he might not be able to do much more this winter due to payroll limitations. After arbitration raises, the Royals should be close to their $60MM budget. So don't look for any big free agent signings unless a player is moved to create payroll room. Dutton says rumors continue to link the Royals to outmakers Jeff Francoeur and Yuniesky Betancourt. Dutton asked Moore why he seemingly ignored his OBP plan for Mike Jacobs, and Moore said he can only take advantage of the players who... Continue Reading

Law's Latest: Tazawa, Francoeur, Tigers

By Tim Dierkes [November 5, 2008 at 9:24pm CST]

Here's a look at the latest blog post from ESPN's Keith Law. Junichi Tazawa is not free to sign with an MLB team until he finishes a tournament later this month. Law and David O'Brien report that the Braves have made an offer to Tazawa. Law is also on board with O'Brien's statement that Jeff Francoeur's name has not come up in trade talks. The Indians' wish list: late inning reliever, an infielder, and a starter. Paul Hoynes discussed the closer situation this morning. Law says the Tigers do have money to spend this winter. Yesterday we figured they might... Continue Reading

Braves Rumors: Ludwick, Johnson, Escobar, Francoeur

By Tim Dierkes [November 5, 2008 at 9:13pm CST]

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has all kinds of Braves info, found in the body and comments of his latest blog post. The Braves have expressed interest in Ryan Ludwick, and the Cardinals would be willing to take Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar in return. However, the Braves would probably have to include one of their middle infielders in a Jake Peavy deal and don't want to trade both this winter. Braves GM Frank Wren publicly acknowledged the Peavy trade talks. O'Brien believes a package built around Escobar has a chance. Pitching prospect Tommy Hanson is not available. The... Continue Reading

LaRue's Latest: Francoeur, Sabathia, Teixeira

By Tim Dierkes [November 5, 2008 at 11:30am CST]

Here's the latest from Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune. The Braves are mentioning Jeff Francoeur "in trade talks with anyone who will listen." Royals GM Dayton Moore is known to be a fan. Looking at 2008's bottom ten in OBP...Moore signed Jose Guillen (.300), acquired Mike Jacobs (.299), and has been linked in trade talks to Francoeur (.294) and Yuniesky Betancourt (.300). And don't forget Willy Taveras (.308). LaRue says the Angels are hinting they can afford both Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia. The Yankees could afford it, too. He says the A's are eyeing Jason Giambi. Oakland... Continue Reading

Royals Rumors: Francoeur, Butler, Ibanez, Greinke

By Tim Dierkes [November 5, 2008 at 7:54am CST]

Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star has several Royals rumors this morning... Dutton says the Braves appear willing to trade Jeff Francoeur. While no trade talks have taken place, it's known that Royals GM Dayton Moore is a fan. Dutton speculates that the Royals would not give up Zack Greinke for Francoeur, but may consider offering Luke Hochevar, Danny Cortes, or Mark Teahen. The Royals and Mariners discussed a Billy Butler for Yuniesky Betancourt trade before the '07 season, and Dutton wonders if Seattle's new GM could reignite those talks. Dutton says the Mark Teahen to Cleveland rumor "just... Continue Reading

Braves Rumors: Ludwick, Dempster, Francoeur

By Tim Dierkes [November 4, 2008 at 7:41pm CST]

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been churning out rumors in the comments section of his blog. He believes the Braves are interested in Ryan Ludwick, but is not sure if they'd give up Kelly Johnson. O'Brien also suggests Rick Ankiel could be available, and that either player would interest Atlanta. O'Brien says the Cubs offered three years, $36MM to Ryan Dempster. Most folks think he'll re-sign, but the Braves have spoken to Dempster's agent. He adds that the Braves will make an offer to Mike Hampton, though Hampton will shop around and may prefer the West Coast. He's... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Renteria, Francoeur, Pedro

By Tim Dierkes [September 26, 2008 at 9:39am CST]

Today's links... Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press wonders if Edgar Renteria has played his last game as a Tiger. He notes the possibility of buying Renteria out for $3MM and inking him to a cheaper one-year deal. Ken Rosenthal's awards picks. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan asks five questions the Rangers will tackle this winter. Also, take a look at our offseason outlook. ESPN's Buster Olney points to the Yankees' poor drafting as the main factor in their decline. Craig Brown of Royals Authority doesn't see a fit with Jeff Francoeur. The Fielding Bible's plus/minus system rates Royals shortstop... Continue Reading

Week in Review: 9/14 - 9/20

By Steve Adams [September 21, 2008 at 5:32pm CST]

Another week down here at MLBTR, here's your review! The Brewers fired manager Ned Yost on Monday. Yost has taken a lot of criticism, and while I personally don't feel like it's a bad move, it seems like an odd time to disrupt the clubhouse, given that the Brewers are right in the wild card race. Perhaps this was intended to spark the Brewers and act as a wakeup call, but they have just two wins since the move. In an attempt to cut payroll, the Tigers may have to move Magglio Ordonez this offseason. Ordonez will make $18MM next... Continue Reading

Perrotto's Latest: GMs, Angels, Offseason Moves

By Steve Adams [September 21, 2008 at 4:26pm CST]

John Perrotto at Baseball Prospectus has his Every Given Sunday column up, let's take a look at what he has to say: Perrotto believes that there's a good chance that the only GM change baseball will see this offseason may be the one we already know about, as Pat Gillick has already announced his retirement. Perrotto cites Assitant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. as a likely replacement. The most likely other change is in Seattle, and cites Dodgers' Assistant GM Kim Ng as a possible replacement, which would make her the first female general manager in the game's history. Perrotto believes... Continue Reading

Francoeur to the Royals?

By Sarah Green [September 20, 2008 at 4:06pm CST]

Pure speculation here, but the Jeff Francoeur-to-the-Royals rumors continue. Joe Posnanski had a throwaway line in this post about "Jeff Francoeur, who I predict will be a Royal soon." An eagle-eyed reader emailed Atlanta writer David O'Brien to ask if this was supposed to be a joke. O'Brien responded: "...that’s not tongue-in-cheek by Posnanski. As we’ve mentioned a few times, KC is the one team I wouldn’t be surprised to see Francoeur traded to, simply because of Dayton Moore and his long association with Francoeur. They remain friends who stay in contact, from my understanding. But more importantly, Dayton was... Continue Reading

Full Story | Comments (37) | Categories: Atlanta Braves | Jeff Francoeur | Kansas City Royals

Molony's Latest: Francoeur, Bay, Blalock

By Tim Dierkes [July 24, 2008 at 12:31pm CST]

MLB.com's Jim Molony has a new column up. The Braves will listen to offers for Jeff Francoeur and Will Ohman, and maybe Mark Teixeira if the Braves struggle in the next week. The Royals are said to be interested in Francoeur. Mike Gonzalez is unavailable. The Braves have scouted Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, in case they decide to become buyers. The Phillies had an exec scouting the Pirates recently. The Phils are looking for a lefty reliever. The Phillies also may be looking at relievers on the Jays and Orioles. Molony rattles off Freddy Garcia suitors: Astros, Cardinals, Phillies,... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Yorman, Hamilton, Ng, Carrasco

By Tim Dierkes [July 4, 2008 at 9:40am CST]

Some odds and ends before you fire up the grill... The Twins signed their other first round pick, Carlos Gutierrez. According to Jeff Passan, 15 year-old Venezuelan center fielder Yorman Rodriguez may have already agreed to a deal with the Reds. MLB.com's Jim Molony notes that the Phillies' director of Major League scouting watched a recent Red Sox-Astros game. Like Brian Bannister, Arizona's Max Scherzer uses an understanding of BABIP to his advantage. Josh Hamilton sensed jealousy in the Reds' clubhouse. Wayne Krivsky says it wasn't a factor in the trade but that "there were issues in the clubhouse." Yahoo's... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Torrealba, Teixeira, Butler

By Tim Dierkes [July 3, 2008 at 4:25pm CST]

Time to round up some linkage. The Brewers' GM, assistant GM, and manager had a long private chat today. 2002's #1 overall pick, Bryan Bullington, was designated for assignment today by the Pirates. Still can't believe this guy was picked first overall. Andy Phillips' journey continues: he's back with the Reds. The Rockies will honor Yorvit Torrealba's request by listening to trade offers for him. His stock is low, and the Marlins aren't interested despite their plan to add a catcher. Mark Teixeira would prefer not to be traded this year. By the way, the Braves are at least considering... Continue Reading

Stark's Latest: Young Players, Giles, DeJesus

By Tim Dierkes [May 23, 2008 at 8:41am CST]

Jayson Stark's latest Rumblings and Grumblings column is chock full of information. Stark rattles off Dan Uggla, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton, Russell Martin, Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, Felix Hernandez, Jeff Francoeur, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia as youngsters who do not have long-term deals in the works. With Uggla and Greinke, the opposition seems more on the team's side. With Hamels and Howard neither side wants a long-term deal. With the rest, the player is resisting. The Padres' top trading chip is probably Brian Giles, though a deal would further deplete a weak offense.... Continue Reading

Francoeur Not Expected To Sign Long-Term

By Nat Boyle [March 2, 2008 at 12:46pm CST]

The odds that Jeff Francoeur and the Braves agree on a long-term deal "appear to be getting dimmer" says Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Instead, Francoeur seems to favor year-to-year deals followed by arbitration. Carroll adds, "Players who are renewed might make $10,000 or so less than they would have had they reached a deal, but sometimes they do it to make a point in negotiations. Wren said another renewal wouldn't negatively affect any future dealings with Francoeur." This is standard procedure. Francoeur made $427,500 in 2007 and is eligible for a contract renewal any day now. By Nat... Continue Reading

Full Story | Comments (7) | Categories: Atlanta Braves | Jeff Francoeur