Mets shopping Francoeur?
New York Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur #12 reacts after making the final out in the bottom of the eighth inning with the tying runs on base against the Atlanta Braves at CitiField. (July 9, 2010) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
LOS ANGELES - Jeff Francoeur got his long-awaited start in rightfield for last night's series opener at Dodger Stadium, and there's an increasing likelihood that the next one may even be his last in a Mets uniform.
A person familiar with the situation confirmed that Francoeur is indeed being shopped by the Mets, but it was unclear if anything was close to happening. Manager Jerry Manuel has pretty much declared Angel Pagan the winner in the battle between the two for playing time, abandoning his initial plans for a platoon in right.
Manuel has determined that splitting time between the players would be detrimental to each one, and with Pagan making the most significant impact, Francoeur became the odd man out. Heading into last night, Francoeur was in a 3-for-36 slump and was batting .154 (12-for-78) in his last 25 games.
Before Carlos Beltran's arrival, Francoeur expressed concern about his productivity as a part-time player and pinch hitter, two roles he was unaccustomed to after five seasons as a starting rightfielder. Even if he does remain with the Mets through the end of the season, it is likely they will not tender him a contract, making him a free agent.
When general manager Omar Minaya was asked about the Mets' plans for Francoeur, or how they expect to use him, Minaya replied, "That's a question for Jerry."
Extra bases
With Hisanori Takahashi starting last night, Manuel confirmed that his performance against the Dodgers will determine his fate in the rotation. The Mets gave him another shot even after he allowed seven hits and six runs in 22/3 innings Saturday against the Giants. "He needs to get late," Manuel said. "If he can do that with a chance to win, then obviously we don't have to revisit whether or not he's a starter for us.'' . . . The Mets announced the signing of relief pitcher Chad Cordero to a minor-league contract. Cordero, 28, went 0-1 with a 6.52 ERA in nine games this year with the Seattle Mariners before refusing a minor-league option and becoming a free agent.
