Penned by Rye resident, Osborn Elementary graduate and incoming
sixth grader Ethan Sears, Ethan's NY Sports
Journal column will report on and analyze New
York metro sports teams. Today Sears takes a look at the Francoeur trade.
Sears is a two
time attendee of Sports
Broadcasting Camps.
On Tuesday the New York Mets traded outfielder Jeff Francoeur to the Texas Rangers in exchange for backup infielder Joaquin Arias. Francoeur came to the Mets last year in a trade that sent Ryan Church to the Braves.
Arias seems to be stuck in between AAA and the majors. Francoeur arguably has the best arm in the majors. Winning a Golden Glove in 2007, his arm hasn’t disappointed but his bat has.
In 2005 he hit .300 over 70 games while winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. The next year in 2006 over 162 games, Francoeur hit .260. Francoeur will most likely back up Nelson Cruz in right field for Texas and be used as a pinch-hitter at times. With a heavy hitting ball club and a rotation featuring Cliff Lee at the top of it, the Rangers could be a threat come October.
