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After signing Jeff “Frenchy” Francoeur as a free agent last December to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million (with a mutual option of $4 million for 2012), the Royals decided they like what they’ve seen by signing Francoeur to a two-year extension on Thursday.
The financial terms are undisclosed, but it’s believed that Francoeur will see something north of the aforementioned mutual option.
Francoeur begrudgingly bounced around the last few seasons — between Atlanta, the minors, New York, and Texas — but has seen somewhat of a re-birth in Kansas City. He is batting .277/.328/.793 through 120 games this season with 35 doubles, 15 homers, 66 RBIs, this laser, and a career best 19 SB (yes, 19 stolen bases!). He’s on pace for his best season since 2007, when he hit .293/.338/.792 with 19 homers and 105 RBIs for Atlanta, the same year he not so wisely turned down a six-year contract worth $30 million.
I imagine this move will not put a damper on his relationship with the Royals and he’s thrilled with the extension. Francoeur should now be able to relax at the plate and bump up that not-very-important OBP of his, like he did last night by walking twice. Seriously, at 27-years-old, Francoeur still has time to put together a pretty nice career like Jeff Francoeur knows Jeff Francoeur can.
