IN CROSSHAIRS: Former Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur (bottom inset) convinced former Dodgers reliever Jonathan Broxton (above) to sign with the Royals on a recent hunting trip — despite a recruiting phone call from Amazin’s star David Wright (top inset). (
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Ex-Met Jeff Francoeur admits he is not a good hunter, but he is one heck of a salesman.
Francoeur recently went bow-hunting with free-agent closer Jonathan Broxton in Georgia on the property of comedian Jeff Foxworthy, along with Royals manager Ned Yost, and helped convince the big right-hander that Kansas City would be a much better landing spot than the Mets or anywhere else.
Broxton loved the sales pitch, and yesterday agreed to sign with the Royals. He must pass a physical today to make the deal official.
The signing leaves the Mets still hunting for a closer. The Mets were one of a number of teams in on Broxton, and they even had David Wright make contact with the former Dodgers closer, who will be a set-up man for the Royals. Broxton will get a one-year, $4 million deal with incentives that could bring the contract to $5 million.
“I’m not much of a hunter, but that hunting trip really worked out well,’’ Francoeur told The Post yesterday of the excursion to The Foxworthy Farm, which spans more than 40,000 wildlife acres. “I think we’re going to have a pretty good little team now in Kansas City.”
He jokingly added, “Make sure you tell David that I’m a better salesman than he is.’’
The Mets must land bullpen help. They are looking at relievers Matt Capps, Frank Francisco, Octavio Dotel and others. They believed the $4 million price tag on Broxton, who is coming off surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow, was a bit steep.
Broxton, 27, a Georgia native like Francoeur, insists he is over his arm woes. Francoeur said he did not bash New York to Broxton and even told Broxton he loved the experience of playing for the Mets, but cautioned the reliever that with the Mets he would have to be ready to go right from the start of the season. In Kansas City, everyone would be a little more patient with Broxton’s comeback. It’s just a different baseball world.
That turned out to be one quality sales pitch.
With closer Joakim Soria struggling last season, this move considerably strengthens Yost’s bullpen. The signing bolsters the Royals’ plan to move reliever Aaron Crow to the rotation. It also gives the Royals trade options as the season progresses. General manager Dayton Moore was happy to receive Francoeur’s help, telling his right fielder he is now an “assistant to the GM.’’
The Rangers and Rays also were interested in Broxton. Over the past seven years, Broxton compiled 84 saves for the Dodgers with a 3.19 ERA. His last pitch came on May 3 because of the elbow problems.
“He’s really going to help us,’’ Francoeur said.
Francoeur added his hunting days are pretty much over.
“The only thing I’m hunting now is that little white golf ball,’’ he said with a laugh. “Hey, at least I know that when my playing days are over, I can be somebody’s assistant in the front office.’’