Three-Team Deal Sends Jeff Francoeur To Marlins

THE DEAL

The loss of Giancarlo Stanton isn’t stopping the Marlins from making a playoff push.

The Marlins acquired outfielder Jeff Francoeur as part of a three-way trade involving the Rangers and Braves on Wednesday night, shoring up their outfield as they try to make the postseason for the first time since 2003. Miami is currently a game and a half back of the second wild-card spot in the National League.

The Braves receive two players in the deal: infielder Dylan Moore from the Rangers and catcher Matt Foley from the Marlins. The Rangers acquired three international bonus slots—Nos. 37 and 97 from Miami and No. 93 from Atlanta—equal to $860,000. Along with the $210,000 slot acquired when they sent Ryan Strausborger to the Mariners, the Rangers have now added the maximum $1.07 million to their international bonus pool, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.

BRAVES ACQUIRE
Dylan Moore, 1b/ss
Age: 24

The Rangers drafted Moore in the seventh round out of Central Florida in 2015, largely based on his power-speed combo, reliable defense and strong batting eye. Moore, a 6-foot-1, 185 pound righthanded hitter, has translated those skills into production in his first full pro season, hitting a combined .263/.377/.440 with 14 home runs, 59 RBIs and 40 stolen bases between low Class A Hickory and high Class A High Desert. While old for the levels and getting a offensive boost from playing in High Desert, his high on-base percentage and speed turned heads in the Rangers front office, along with the defensive versatility he showed. A shortstop by trade, Moore has played all four infield positions this season and been serviceable in all. While the context of his performance given his age relative to league is reason for pause, his versatility, speed, occasional power and ability to get on base all give him a chance to be a valuable utility player on a big league bench, particularly in the National League.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Hickory (SAL)	LoA	.244	101	340	55	83	18	3	9	45	54	77	37	.372	.394
High Desert (CAL)	HiA	.351	17	74	18	26	7	0	5	14	5	12	3	.400	.649

Matt Foley, c
Age: 22

The Marlins drafted Foley in the 40th and final round of the 2015 draft out of Division III Rhode Island College. Physically imposing at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Foley hit .453 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs in his junior year with the Anchormen, along with 15 walks against 16 strikeouts. He has largely been a backup getting limited reps in his two seasons of pro ball, getting just 26 plate appearances after signing last year and 44 plate appearances between Rookie-level and short-season ball this season. He has yet to record an extra-base hit in his pro career and has allowed three passed balls in six games behind the plate this year, while throwing out one of four basestealers.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Batavia (NYP)	SS	.286	2	7	0	2	0	0	0	1	1	4	0	.375	.286
Marlins (GCL)	R	.250	12	28	6	7	0	0	0	2	5	7	0	.389	.250

MARLINS ACQUIRE
Jeff Francoeur, rf
Age: 32

The well-traveled Francouer re-signed with his hometown Braves before the season and gave them a valuable righthanded platoon bat, hitting .273/.313/.421 against lefthanded pitchers. He is expected fill a similar role with the Marlins while playing both corner outfield spots. According to Baseball-Reference.com’s Defensive Runs Saved Above Average, Francouer still grades as an above-average defender in both left field and right field, and his arm remains one of the games strongest with eight outfield assists in only 62 games this season. The Marlins will be Francouer’s eighth team in his 12-year career and his sixth team in the past four seasons.