Mets Pick up Braves Star in Pre-deadline Deal
With several weeks remaining before the MLB trade deadline, the Mets and Braves are already playing “Let’s Make a Deal” as longtime Braves star Jeff Francouer was dealt to New York for one of the Mets seemingly limitless outfielders, Ryan Church. The deal also sent a quarter of a million dollars to New York to pay for the difference in salary of the two players.
The Braves have a supremely loyal fanbase and seeing Francoeur go was unexpected for the fans, as well as the star. But going to New York, of all places, was especially difficult. “You imagine getting traded,” Francoeur said. “But you don’t imagine getting traded to your biggest rival. The hardest thing to think about right now is coming back to Atlanta next week with the Mets.”
As for Church, he was also surprised by the move, but rumors have persisted for a while that he had fallen out of favor with the Mets’ manager, Charlie Manuel. “I’m just looking at it as a new start,” Church said. “They’ve got a great organization in Atlanta.”
Bobby Cox is a player’s manager, so Church should find favor again in Atlanta. Both these teams just got better, so grab some Braves or Mets tickets and watch them in action.