Royals Interested In Jeff Francoeur

Updated 7/23 2:15 PM

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports in a post to Twitter, the Kansas City Royals like Jeff Francoeur.

As I posted yesterday (see below), the Mets would like to trade Francoeur, and Royals GM Dayton Moore worked in the Braves front office when Francoeur began his major league career.

The Royals do have some interesting players the Mets might find useful and they could be compatible trade partners.

Francoeur is eligible for arbitration next season, but could be non-tendered this winter, thus making him a free agent any way. He is probably a platoon outfielder for most upper echelon teams, but could play everyday for many low market teams.

Original Post 7/22 7:00 AM

The 26-year-old told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork that he wouldn’t mind getting traded. Even if he stays in New York for the rest of the season, Francoeur may get a change of scenery this winter, since he’s a non-tender candidate. Francoeur has hit .247/.297/.380 this year, though he did post an .836 OPS after the Mets traded for him in 2009.

According to an exclusive report by Mike Puma of the NY Post, Jeff Francoeur’s days in a Mets uniform could be numbered.

According to an industry source, the team is trying to trade the right fielder, and could have a deal in place by the time the Mets finish their series in Los Angeles this weekend.

Francoeur would welcome a trade, according to a person friendly with the right fielder, if it gave him a chance to play every day.

Francoeur’s playing time has been diminished since Carlos Beltran’s return from the disabled list. Angel Pagan has assumed the starting right-field duties, with Francoeur coming off the bench for the first time in his career.

It’s not clear what the Mets would be able to get in return for Frenchy, but maybe they could come away with a reliable bullpen arm.