In need of an outfielder, the Marlins acquired Jeff Francoeur (18) from the Braves. Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
MIAMI — Upgrading the bench as they continue to push for a wild-card playoff berth, the Miami Marlins acquired outfielder Jeff Francoeur from the Atlanta Braves as part of a three-team trade Wednesday.
The Marlins sent minor league catcher Matt Foley to the Braves, who also got minor league infielder Dylan Moore from the Texas Rangers.
The Braves sent cash and an international bonus-pool slot to Texas, which also acquired two international slots from the Marlins. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers netted more than $860,000 in signing room.
Atlanta is sending cash to Miami to cover a portion of Francoeur’s salary, which is $1 million for the season.
Francoeur, 32, has 160 major league homers and will be used in a reserve role. He is hitting .249 with a .290 on-base percentage, a .381 slugging percentage, seven homers and 33 RBIs through 99 games this year.
“Once the (groin) injury to (right fielder Giancarlo Stanton) happened, we wanted to get a right-handed outfielder,” Marlins general manager Michael Hill said. “He wanted someone who could give us punch against left-handed pitching.
“As well as our team has played, we wanted to do anything we could to get us to where we want to be, which is October baseball.”
Francoeur broke into the majors in 2005 with the Braves, and he played for the New York Mets, Texas, the Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies before rejoining Atlanta this season.
Moore, 24, hit .263/.377/.440 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs in a combined 118 games for two Class A teams this season.
Foley, 22, was batting .257/.386/.257 with no homers and three RBIs in 14 games in the low minors this year.
