No.We're entering that nefarious time of the summer, when the trade rumor mill spits out an endless stream of b.s. whispers, which amount to and signify nothing. Nevertheless, it's our duty to report on these things. Here's one ESPN is reporting on Rumor Central, where never will you find such a wretched hive of scummy, villanous speculation. It suggests that the Royals could deal Jose Guillen to Atlanta for Jeff Francoeur.
The rumor originated from an mlb.com report.
Mark Bowman writes:
"The Royals are watching Jeff Francoeur this weekend and there's still obviously a chance that Dayton Moore could be prompted to make a deal for the 25-year-old outfielder. But to make this deal work, the Braves may need to be willing to assume the baggage and cost that Jose Guillen would bring. Guillen is making $12 million this season and he'll be owed and equal amount before his contract expires at the end of the 2010 season."
There isn't a lot of smoke here -- the Royals scout a lot of players and there is no source suggesting that an acquisition of Francoeur could or will happen. Sure, it could. I could also win next year's slam dunk championship. But I wouldn't hold my breath.
I do know that Dayton Moore loves Jeff Francoeur as much I love to watch Ashely Judd hug Danica Patrick. More than once when I've been talking to Moore has he alluded to Francoeur as an example of a successfully-developed player. (He's not.) Needless to say, given the Royals hacktastic ways, Francoeur is absolutely the last player they need to acquire. But if it could get Jose Guillen off the books ... then maybe you do it anyway.
However, just about any other scenario involving the acquistion of Francoeur would not sit well with me. At all. There is no reason to rant about something that hasn't happened. But if it does ... be ready for a serious blowup.