The Phillies once met with Jeff Francoeur to discuss signing him. Instead, Francoeur signed with the Kansas City Royals and spent two and a half mediocre years with the Royals. Then, Francoeur had mediocre stints with the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres. The Phillies finally signed Francoeur four years after they reportedly tried to sign him, and Charlie Manuel will get the chance to do what he wanted back then: fix Jeff Francoeur.
Crossing Broad posted this Jason Stark tweet back in 2010 when the Phillies were chasing Francoeur:
Fast forward four years:
2 reasons Jeff Francoeur picked minor Lge deal with #Phillies 1. Charlie Manuel promised to work with swing try to rekindle career (cont)
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2014
2. Strong possibility that Marlon Byrd is dealt and RF opens for #Phillies
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2014
Byrd could be moved any day now.
The Phillies' deal with Francoeur is a minor league deal, so there is no pressure for Francoeur to succeed right off the bat. Manuel can spend Spring Training working with him, and finally get to do to fix whatever Manuel saw all along. Thus, this signing was probably Manuel's idea and he will get a chance to fix Francoeur.
If the Phillies do not acquire another outfielder, the right-handed Francoeur could plattoon with lefties Domonic Brown or Grady Sizemore.
