Francoeur Ready for Arbitration Hearing
Feb. 16, 2009
By David O'Brien
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lake Buena Vista. Fla. — Jeff Francoeur will listen to a Braves representative cite his shortcomings if he doesn’t settle an arbitration case before Friday’s scheduled hearing in Phoenix. The right fielder said he’s ready to go through with the hearing.
“After what I went through last year, I think I can handle it,” he said.
Francoeur made $460,000 in 2008 and set career-lows in average (.239), home runs (11) and slugging percentage (.359).
The Braves offered $2.8 million for 2009; he asked $3.95 million. A five-fold or greater increase is typical for a player in his first year of arbitration.
“It is what it is,” he said of the hearing. “That’s the business part.”
Second baseman Kelly Johnson, the other unsigned arbitration-eligible Braves player, has a hearing scheduled Thursday. He hit .287 with 57 extra-base hits (12 homers) and 69 RBIs. He asked for $3.3 million and was offered $2.35 million.
