Comments on: Francoeur: move the fences in at Citi Field to help “poor David” Wright

By: timroe11

timroe11 — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:54:44 +0000

Are they supposed to move the fences into the catcher’s mitt? Maybe he should focus on driving in runners on 3rd with less than 2 outs and cut down dramatically on the K’s. After that, let’s talk about the fences. He has consistently struck out a lot and has been among the league leader’s in AB’s with runners in scoring position. That is his problem, not the fences. He is a good guy and a solid player, but he is drastically overrated. And yes, I have been a Mets fan for more than 25 years. I think, although he is an injury risk, that Reyes is more important to the club.

By: bennyblanco1

bennyblanco1 — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:57:28 +0000

You forgot about Todd Hundley. Always wondered why he’s name wasnt dragged through the mud more regarding the juice.

By: cktai

cktai — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:42:16 +0000

Randy Wolf was younger then Roy Halladay in their first postseason appearence. I guess they both aren’t clutch.

By: tsi4431

tsi4431 — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:24:23 +0000

I highly doubt David Wright complained to anyone about hitting home runs. It’s not something he would do. He is not a home run hitter. He is a line drive hitter, always has been a line drive hitter, who hits line drive home runs.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:55:03 +0000

Maybe Wright should just stop trying to hit home runs? That little girl in the hospital was right about you David Wright, she was.

By: seanmk

seanmk — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:38:32 +0000

guess you forgot about 2006 when the mets made the playoffs. david wright was on that team. the team around him is garbage. getting rid of your best players is not the answer to get better

By: kinggeorge96

kinggeorge96 — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:34:30 +0000

I’ll definitely give you that… but a good player is a good player, and most of us know that.

By: kappy32

kappy32 — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:17:52 +0000

As a Mets fan, I don’t want the fences moved in; I like the ballpark just the way it is. Historically, the Mets have been a franchise that has been known for their excellent pitching (despite never throwing a no-hitter) and Citi Field is a pitcher’s ballpark. Outside Daryl Strawberry, the Mets never had a 40-50 HR threat in his prime. I’m not sure if other fans have short term memory loss, but Shea Stadium was anything but a homerun hitter’s park and it always ranked towards the bottom each year in homeruns hit there. Yes, Citi Field is bigger, but as a professional these guys need to adapt. When David Wright came up he was not considered a true “slugger” but was instead pegged as a guy who would hit 25-30 HR, but mostly a guy with “gap power” who woud hit 40-50 doubles per year. That David Wright, the David Wright of 4 years ago, would be perfect for Citi Field. Unfortunately, he has regressed and has attempted to become something he’s not, a slugger.

By: kellyb9

kellyb9 — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:14:58 +0000

Point well taken – still you don’t hear about them as much as the big power guys.

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:08:40 +0000

halladaysbiceps-

Maybe you should become a student of the game before making posts like that. Bobby Abreu was the 2005 All Star Home Run Derby winner. Would a loser own a prestigious honor like that? I don’t think so…

By: BC

BC — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:45:48 +0000

Yes, but the Phillies had half a dozen major league ready players, including a couple superstars (Howard and pre-injury Utley). The Mets’ cupboard is bare.

By: kinggeorge96

kinggeorge96 — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:40:06 +0000

There’s a new guy catching on over in the Northwest.. Think his name was Ichiro or something like that?

Does he think he’s Madonna.. What’s this one name stuff??

By: b7p19

b7p19 — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:39:38 +0000

Um, serious as a heart attack actually. I’m glad you base your opinions off of the biases of the Philly media. That actually explains a lot.

By: bennyblanco1

bennyblanco1 — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:26:40 +0000

Wright needs to strike out less. It seems more and more fastballs are getting by him.

And I could be wrong but I think the Mets have hit more HR’s in Citi this year then while on the road.

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:23:01 +0000

Are you serious? Every reporter that covered that clubhouse saw that Abreu was the main reason that the Phillies accepted losing with his apathetic attitude. Players followed his lead. Young players like Utley and Howard could not change the chemistry of that clubhouse until Abreu, like Liberthal and Wolf, were gone.

Same thing with the Mutts. David Wright’s power numbers are the least of that teams problems.

By: BC

BC — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:22:15 +0000

Hey, I’d rather have a 3B who hits .315, 20 HR, 90 RBI, steals 20-25 bases and plays a decent 3B in the field, than a guy who hits .275, 35HR, 110 RBI, never steals bases, and gets messed up in the field because he’s striking out or popping out all the time.

By: b7p19

b7p19 — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:16:05 +0000

You’re like a walking cliche factory. Taking Bobby Abreu off that Phillies team was not the key to the team getting better. I’d be willing to bet it had more to do with the growth of their young players than it did the clutchness of Bobby Abreu.

By: kellyb9

kellyb9 — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:12:00 +0000

Maybe I’m an old school type of guy, but I’ve always respected a player who can hit for average without putting up substantial power numbers. I know you don’t hear about them on sportscenter, but I’ve always found the feat much more impressive than hitting hr’s.

By: kopy

kopy — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:01:36 +0000

To be fair to Franceour, he’s right, and he was only responding to the question. I don’t know that the Mets have to do anything, but they might want to. Citi Field ranks pretty low in all park factors (HR, H, 2B) except for triples.

If anything, they should consider lowering the fences in left, and straightening/trimming the right field wall a bit. That alcove is a little nasty, although interesting and could be kept, but the deep part of the bullpen is very hard to reach. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with having a pitchers’ park, but if the Mets don’t want a pitchers’ park they may want to consider some options.

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:54:19 +0000

Jeff Francoeur, like David Wright, has always been a perennial loser, making excuses for all team failings. David Wright is New York’s version of Bobby Abreu. Puts up OK numbers over the course of the season, but not a clutch player at all. Once Philly moved him out, the team became much better. Addition by subtraction.

There’s nothing wrong with Citi Field. The problem lies with the players that play there.

By: Phillies Homer

Phillies Homer — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:51:57 +0000

Wow… you might be the first Met fan that actually has some reason!! Very good point…

All the Mets fans that I know still think they are going to go on a run this year and beat out the Phillies/Marlins/Braves for the NL East.

But, anyways… Wright is a great ball player… but if he’s up there trying to smack home runs everytime than he is as smart as Mets fans (sans BC).

By: mrhojorisin

mrhojorisin — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:46:33 +0000

I’m with ya, Craig- enough about moving the fences in at Citifield. Hell, Luis Castillo hit one into the second deck there a couple of years ago. However, I AM an advocate of them lowering the fences, especially in left. I think the park would not only play better- possibly more fair- but some sightlines would be improved, too.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:46:21 +0000

So glad Frenchie is in New York for a few days to solve the problems of the baseball world. We should all take heed- he betted .500 last night.

By: BC

BC — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:46:03 +0000

Man, our pitching stinks on ice already. I can’t imagine what our team ERA would be if they brought the fence in 20 feet or so. Wright hits 30-35 HR’s, but we win 66 games because our team ERA is 5.50.
If Wright is that concerned about hitting HRs he should ask to be moved out of town.