Atlanta Braves: Jeff Francoeur will be on opening day roster

Proving you can go home again, Jeff Francoeur is back with the Atlanta Braves.

The Atlanta Braves have purchased Jeff Francoeur’s minor league contract, so he’ll be on the team’s opening day roster.

Jeff Francoeur is now 32 years old and a long way from the 21-year-old phenom he appeared to be in 2005, but that won’t keep Braves fans from being excited he’s back with the team.

Growing up in metro Atlanta, then starring with the Braves from 2005-2009, Francoeur became one of the franchise’s most liked players among the fan base. But after intense struggles in 2008 and the first half of 2009, he was traded to the Mets.

Since being traded away from his hometown team, Francoeur has had many ups and downs. He did well enough with the Mets to re-sign, but was traded to the Rangers soon after. He played in a World Series in 2010 before signing with the Royals when they weren’t half as good as they are today.

After some average to below average seasons in Kansas City, he bounced around from the Giants to the Padres organization to the Phillies in 2015.

Earlier this spring, Francoeur said if he didn’t make his hometown Braves (he still lives in metro Atlanta), he would retire. He did not want another season like 2014 when he spent over 90% of it in the minor leagues.

With a .327 batting average, one home run and four RBI in spring training, Jeff Francoeur was able to make the big club. He’ll be a backup outfielder making $1 million and could earn up to $1 million more in incentives.