OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

Moriarty9 · 10-19-2009, 01:18 PM

Francis dealt west for prospect
Tampa Bay trades lefty to Mariners for outfielder
November 8, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jeff Francis looks poised to finally get a full-time job as a starting pitcher after the left-hander was traded today by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Seattle Mariners for a minor league outfielder.

Francis went 6-3 with three saves and a 4.99 ERA in 40 games with the Devil Rays in 2009, making two starts. In five big league seasons, Francis is 24-17 with five saves and a 5.58 ERA. He has appeared in 120 games, 24 of which were starts.

"We wish Jeff the best of luck in Seattle," said Tampa Bay GM Shaun Moriarty. "He was a good guy to have, and I wish he had been given a better shot here because I think he's talented, but we've just had so much depth that he was often the odd man out."

In exchange for Francis, the Mariners sent 19-year-old outfielder John Meyers to the Devil Rays organization. Meyers, a left-handed hitter, split his time this past season between A and AA baseball. Altogether, he hit .293 with five triples, three home runs and 46 RBI, while scoring 58 bases and stealing 40 bases in 106 minor league games. He was Seattle's first round draft selection in the 2008 amateur draft.

Tampa Bay's scouting director, Dan Plesac, said Meyers has "superstar potential" but noted the Californian would have to overcome a handful of flaws to reach his potential. Meyers, Plesac said, projects to be an average contact hitter with a solid batting eye. Though Meyers hit just three home runs in 461 at bats, Plesac said he has a high ceiling in the power department and could one day be a cleanup hitter. Ultimately, his best attribute is his speed. "He is always a threat to steal a base," Plesac said.

The trade was made as Francis was set to receive a new contract through arbitration, the final time he would go through the arbitration process before becoming a free agent. The move saves the Devil Rays money for the 2010 season and provides a young positional player into the minor league system.

10-19-2009, 01:18 PM	#633 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Francis dealt west for prospect Tampa Bay trades lefty to Mariners for outfielder November 8, 2009 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jeff Francis looks poised to finally get a full-time job as a starting pitcher after the left-hander was traded today by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Seattle Mariners for a minor league outfielder. Francis went 6-3 with three saves and a 4.99 ERA in 40 games with the Devil Rays in 2009, making two starts. In five big league seasons, Francis is 24-17 with five saves and a 5.58 ERA. He has appeared in 120 games, 24 of which were starts. "We wish Jeff the best of luck in Seattle," said Tampa Bay GM Shaun Moriarty. "He was a good guy to have, and I wish he had been given a better shot here because I think he's talented, but we've just had so much depth that he was often the odd man out." In exchange for Francis, the Mariners sent 19-year-old outfielder John Meyers to the Devil Rays organization. Meyers, a left-handed hitter, split his time this past season between A and AA baseball. Altogether, he hit .293 with five triples, three home runs and 46 RBI, while scoring 58 bases and stealing 40 bases in 106 minor league games. He was Seattle's first round draft selection in the 2008 amateur draft. Tampa Bay's scouting director, Dan Plesac, said Meyers has "superstar potential" but noted the Californian would have to overcome a handful of flaws to reach his potential. Meyers, Plesac said, projects to be an average contact hitter with a solid batting eye. Though Meyers hit just three home runs in 461 at bats, Plesac said he has a high ceiling in the power department and could one day be a cleanup hitter. Ultimately, his best attribute is his speed. "He is always a threat to steal a base," Plesac said. The trade was made as Francis was set to receive a new contract through arbitration, the final time he would go through the arbitration process before becoming a free agent. The move saves the Devil Rays money for the 2010 season and provides a young positional player into the minor league system.