Jeff Francoeur: The 2011 Royals Review Man of the Year

by Freneau on Dec 30, 2011 12:06 PM EST in Kansas City Royals News

2011 really couldn't be more about anyone else than Jeff Francoeur. The huddled internet masses, the swinish multitude loathed by Lee Judge and others, were ready to attack Francoeur's arrival (in December 2012) from the beginning, and that we did. We talked about his leadership, we talked about his self-comparisons to Hall of Famers, we talked about his crazy eyes. Stunningly, despite my predictions, he was not quoted in the team story about remembering 9/11.

We talked about the downside of the legend of his leadership and we tried to apply his lessons to our own troubled lives. And baseball, yes, we even talked about his baseball. Even his platoon splits and clutch high-leverage numbers. I hoped he would be traded, but that didn't happen. Francoeur was a key cog in the Royals arm-based outfield, a rare bit of non-horrible team defense.

In my favorite turn, hours after "Giving Credit to Jeff Francoeur" appeared on RR, the Royals announced his two year contract extension, which you all had quite a lot to say about.

This is how it is with Francoeur and I'm as powerless as anyone else to fight it. He can't ever just be the player -- and in 2011 he had one of his better seasons, posting a 119 OPS+ and a 2.7/2.9 WAR -- he's always so much of everything else. For 2012 however, with his contract in place and more interesting players on the team, I hope, however much in futility, that we can avoid the vortex of Francoeur commentary. 2011, however, was his.

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I'm looking forward to the 2012 and 2013 stories on Francoeur in the Star and Royals.com

“Sure he’s not hitting as well this year, but his OF assists show that he’s still a great defensive right fielder. And more importantly the leadership he provides in the clubhouse and on the field can’t be measured but is undeniably invaluable.”

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 30, 2011 12:10 PM EST reply actions

He's not hitting well

But remember that sac fly he hit to beat Detroit last Friday? CLUTCH.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 30, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

He does the little things right

And spends lots of time teaching the Royals young players how to be a Major League baseball player.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 30, 2011 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

Someone has to lend them a suit for the roadtrip.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 31, 2011 3:26 AM EST up reply actions

2013 = year Yost is fired and Frenchy is named first player/manager in KC history.

2014 = year Frenchys internet legend surpasses that of Chuck Norris.

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 30, 2011 12:37 PM EST reply actions

2016

Jeff Franceour and Jason Kendall defeat President Rick Santorum to win the Presidency.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 30, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Francoeur is so amazing, they will amend the Constitution so he can take office

by BeauJackson on Dec 30, 2011 1:27 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs

are you saying Francoeur and Kendall are Democrats?

by 9il on Dec 30, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

i guess they could start their own party

which seems more likely

by 9il on Dec 30, 2011 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

The party of

AWESOME

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 30, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

And full of win.

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Dec 30, 2011 3:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

They are Gritocrats

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 30, 2011 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs

How is Kendall and Frenchy running for president

going to affect Kendall and Bloomquist’s bobsled team?

Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Since 2005: Royals win% = .4100, Chiefs win% = .4095

by averagegatsby on Dec 30, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

My first question as well.

They were serious about that. Remember?

Of course, neither of them thought anybody would ever sign Bloomquist to a multi-year deal.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 31, 2011 3:27 AM EST up reply actions

2012: The year that hitting people in the nuts is no longer considered sexual harassment in the workplace.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 30, 2011 12:41 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

We need more sarcastic posts about Frenchy

It, in no way, makes us all sound obsessed with the guy.

"Poker, poker, it's all skill. Start with the worst hand and go uphill" - Mike Matusow

by Kim DeJesus on Dec 30, 2011 12:46 PM EST reply actions

Dayton Moore, the KC Star and Royals.com are obsessed with the guy

Why shouldn’t we combat their insanely positive Francoeur-as-baseball-god depictions of him with some sarcasm and snark? Is that why Al Gore invented the internet?

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 30, 2011 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

It's kind of like Rick Santorum...

As much as that guy talks about gay sex, you have to wonder if he doesn’t take it up the ass himself.

I’m not saying some people here have a secret gay love for Frenchy, I’m just sayin’….

"Poker, poker, it's all skill. Start with the worst hand and go uphill" - Mike Matusow

by Kim DeJesus on Dec 30, 2011 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

…..not that there’s anything wrong with that….

"Poker, poker, it's all skill. Start with the worst hand and go uphill" - Mike Matusow

by Kim DeJesus on Dec 30, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

And then things got classy

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 30, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 30, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs

Wow.

I know this is funny, but I seriously just can’t stop laughing at this one.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 30, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

That gave me a shameful boner.

by Bronzillo on Dec 30, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for sharing

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 30, 2011 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

I don't hate Frenchy...

But I withhold the right to quickly change my mind… He just seems like a swell ol’ chap and he exceeded expectations. However when he inevitably plays through a lingering year long hammy injury that severely saps his defense and OBP’s .312 next year Im sure I will quickly begin to hate him.

Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Since 2005: Royals win% = .4100, Chiefs win% = .4095

by averagegatsby on Dec 30, 2011 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Never personal, my only beef is he isn’t patient at the plate and probably never will be. It’s always been about Dayton’s infatuation with him, a guy who’s averaged less than 1 bWAR per year over his career. I was presently surprised at Francoeur’s 2011, but not nearly enough to want the Royals to give him 2 years and $13.5 million.

by thelaundry on Dec 30, 2011 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

pleasantly - turning off autocorrect, putting the glue away

by thelaundry on Dec 30, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

if Alex Gordon had Frenchy's

Leadership and he took naked BP this award could have been his.

I don't have an MD or law degree. I have a baccalaureate in kicking ass and taking names. You know that guy who can pick up any girl, I'm him on crack.

by don_jerovanni on Dec 30, 2011 1:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions

He was busy dominating.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 30, 2011 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

I keep taking for granted just how (relatively) amazing Frenchys season was

His past performance was SO bad that after BlueEyesAustin predicted a 270/330/450 line, he was immediately scoffed at and shot down, and that seemed like the appropriate reaction. Then he went out and hit 285/329/476 in a down year for offense… that might’ve been the most miraculous thing that happened to the Royals last year.

by LimaTime10 on Dec 30, 2011 2:19 PM EST reply actions

"Play it, Frenchy. Play 'As Time Goes By.'"

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 30, 2011 2:40 PM EST reply actions

Frenchy is our Tebow

"Shot by my own men."

by StonewallPDS on Dec 30, 2011 2:49 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Tebow is Denver's Frenchy

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 30, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs

Apologize to Frenchy

I’m not saying Frenchy is this generation’s Griffey, but dude is at least a quality ballplayer (or, at least has been for us, which is all I care about). Tebow is the most miserable starting quarterback I think I’ve ever seen.

Tebow’s baseball equivalent would be Tony Pena Jr without the sick curveball.

"Poker, poker, it's all skill. Start with the worst hand and go uphill" - Mike Matusow

by Kim DeJesus on Jan 2, 2012 2:40 AM EST up reply actions

Well! Well!

All the guys had good days and bad days! Although, their were more bad times, they still did not give up a fight! Frenchy, in my opinion played well. He had many hits, even some HR and walk-offs. His defense was not at all as bad as some of the comments I’m reading. In Septmeber Frenchy, reached his 20th HR, made an awesome catch outfield that if missed, would of been a HR. Besides all the other plays, hits, walk-off and so on not being mentioned at this time. I really, don’t believe “Frenchy” is a bad player at all.

by Themis on Dec 30, 2011 3:01 PM EST reply actions

Do you like Kool-aid?

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 30, 2011 3:03 PM EST up reply actions

he has shown the propensity to be a bad player

the Royals lucked out in 2011, hopefully the same thing happens for two more seasons.

by BeauJackson on Dec 30, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

gordon out WARed his career average by more than frenchy...

why is frenchy expected to come crashing down yet gordon slightly regress?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 30, 2011 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

both candidates, but to me it would be the degree of the crash

i think frenchy’s floor is lower than gordon’s.

by BeauJackson on Dec 30, 2011 9:30 PM EST up reply actions

Seriously?

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 31, 2011 3:33 AM EST up reply actions

yes...please explain

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 31, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

probably because gordon showed a lot of potential to be the player he was in 2011

he looked to be on the verge of breaking out before injuries and then stayed healthy and cut down on the hole in his swing, which further aided his success. francoeur had a decent year, but still looked as if he didn’t understand the strike zone the way a good batter should. gordon may end up re-injuring himself, but one would imagine his swing adjustments, which help explain his success, will remain.

by 9il on Dec 31, 2011 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

I've Always Said

The fact Francoeur has as much success as he does with his plate approach is the best proof of his raw abilities as a batter. He could be really good, but he probably won’t be.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 31, 2011 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

this is prolly true considering how ugly and awkward his swing is. he appears to be rather adept

at hitting inside pitches, but can only rollover balls on the outer half of the plate. i always wondered why teams didn’t just throw him pitches out an up in the zone. watching the games last year that seemed like a garaunteed ground ball to the shortstop.

by DickHowser4ever on Jan 1, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

No do you?

by Themis on Dec 30, 2011 3:04 PM EST reply actions

THE BLUE ONE IS BEST

Edgar knows best.

by kcbottom9th on Dec 30, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions

It will and even better! KC needs to make playoff this new season!

? Is it this new year or the following year, that KC plays Marlins?

by Themis on Dec 30, 2011 3:20 PM EST reply actions

We play Miami this October

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 30, 2011 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

We also play Pujols opening day...

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 30, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

Not to forget in March

Playing the Angels on a srimmage game as well!

by Themis on Dec 30, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

Hoch will plunk him

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 30, 2011 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

Hoch? is this Bryan Hoch or someone else?

by Themis on Dec 30, 2011 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Nickname for Luke Hochevar

Our former #1 pick….aka Grizzly bear, aka Kershaw’s bitch

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 30, 2011 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

thanks!

If there is one pitcher I believe in, it is “Hochevar” Got it…he will pitche the ball to “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee”

by Themis on Dec 30, 2011 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

Hahahahhaha

Hoch is my favorite pitcher for some reason, but I trust in the zen master Chen more

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 30, 2011 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

I like Chen

I was very happy he stayed with Royals. First, I need to Thank RR for their posting and those to help as well. The first place, where I found out about all the different point system they have in baseball. Not like it was in school. LOL I am reading on WAR to get a better understanding on the different data used in MLB. So far, I understand, it is “wins above replacements” the higher the number the better and if below -1, the player is not doing very well and could cause him his career. Need help here..if the player has a WAR of 6.9..how would I read this? What is the meaning of first number and second?

by Themis on Dec 30, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

That means the player

gives and receives at the same time. (make love, not WAR)

by Bronzillo on Dec 30, 2011 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

Just kidding Themis,

If you haven’t already, checkout: http://www.fangraphs.com/ for some great info on WAR and other metrics.

by Bronzillo on Dec 30, 2011 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

Thank you

Going to check it out. Sorry, for the late replied. My son was in an accident. But all ok. Thanks again

by Themis on Dec 30, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

6.9 should be read as 1/10 below 7.

It’s merely a decimal.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 31, 2011 3:35 AM EST up reply actions

I'll be at that game!

Cheering against Marlins of course.

by Themis on Dec 30, 2011 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

Everyone is forgetting the French Quarter rising

Banners.Tshirts.crazy awesome smile

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Dec 30, 2011 3:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Francoeur, Jeff Francoeur

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 30, 2011 4:13 PM EST reply actions

Not saying it will happen,

I just wonder what all the critics here will say if he has another solid season in ’12

A) Chalk it up to luck and/or PEDs (mixed with grits)

B) Parlay their regression predictions into an unavoidable catastrophic collapse in ’13 (Double Down!)

C) Buy Rosetta Stone- Learn French software http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-french

D) Admit that, gosh darn it, people CAN change! and I can TOO!…Where’s my Nordic Track!

E) – (fill in the blank)

by Bronzillo on Dec 30, 2011 4:42 PM EST reply actions

Or that Yost let him take Nude batting practice daily

After the 3rd time Getz was banned though, but it made him strive for walk-offs as he can be nut-tapped by Frenchy.

BFIB<BFSE........KC needs more Edwin Carl

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 30, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

nut-tapped, tea-bagged,

Thats all just healthy male bonding essential to building chemistry and team unity.

by Bronzillo on Dec 30, 2011 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

LEADERSHIP

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 31, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

Data is data and it all counts

Another solid season (depending on what “solid” means) would greatly improve my opinion of what his true talent level is. It would be a big data point.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 30, 2011 9:49 PM EST up reply actions

Same Goes For

Gordon. There were extenuating circumstance that coincided with his terrible ’09 and ’10, but they still count. Another season of .280/.350/.500 would go a long way toward making those years excusable as an unfortunate detour on the way to a very good career.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 30, 2011 10:49 PM EST up reply actions

Although

Gordon also has 2007 and 2008, which were pretty good for his first 2 years in the bigs. It’s just that at the time, he was a bust.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 31, 2011 3:37 AM EST up reply actions

2007 Should Have

Been better. In April and May he was totally at sea. He should have been in Omaha, probably until the ASB. His numbers from June through September were very similar to 2008.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Dec 31, 2011 11:49 AM EST up reply actions