Once-stud outfielder Jeff Francoeur has agreed to a $3.375 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.The two sides avoided an arbitration hearing which was scheduled for Friday by reaching an agreement just before midnight Wednesday on the midway point between both offers.
If the 25-year-old reaches 685 plate appearances this season, he'll also receive a $25,000 bonus. What he does with those at bats will absolutely have a hand in deciding where he plays in 2010.
Francoeur is hoping to spring back from a less-than-desirable 2008 season where he was sent to the minors amidst hitting .239 with just 11 homers and 71 RBIs.
[Sports Network] | [MLB Trade Rumors] | [Baseball Musings]
In other news around the American League, the Baltimore Orioles are reportedly nearing a four-year contract extension with Brian Roberts worth $40 million. The leadoff hitter's new deal should be announced sometime this Friday once the results of his physical are obtained.
Roberts, a career .284-hitting second baseman, has managed to swipe 36 bases at the very least over the last three seasons. The 25-year-old set career highs with 181 hits, 51 doubles and 8 triples, ranking third in the AL with 107 runs and fourth with 40 stolen bags.
Good thing the Chicago Cubs' offer was too weak for Brian MacPhail last winter.
[MLB] | [The Schmuck Stops Here] | [Rotoworld]
2 comments:
I live in Atlanta though not a Braves fans (don't want any one to get the wrong idea) When the Braves sent Francoeur down to the minors to work on his swing he made a big stink about it in the press. I was like dude your hitting like 125 with the bases loaded what are you complaining about. After that I knew the Braves would have a hard time trading Francoeur. He should be thankful they didn't go to arbitration, he had no average to stand on.
He sucked so bad last year, he's lucky he got re-signed at all.
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