Mets and Braves Swap Oufielders

The New York Mets traded Ryan Church to the Atlanta Braves for Jeff Francouer.

Chruch, 30, is batting .280 with 2 HR and 22 RBI and .707 OPS.

Francouer, 25, has one of the best arms in the league. He is also batting .250 with 5 HR and 35 RBI and .634 OPS.

It's a fairly even trade. Francouer's five year age advantage and a semi-increase in defense is good for the Mets, however he can go into painfully long slumps.

Church To Hamels

Back in December, Cole Hamels spoke with a New York radio station and called the Mets choke artists. In this division, some one is bound to reply. The rivalry continues to heat up, this time coming from an unlikely source.

Here is the quote courtesy of The Fightins.

Ryan Church didn’t exactly take on Philadelphia ace Cole Hamels for calling
the Mets “choke artists” this winter. The right fielder didn’t back down,
either, now that the Phillies are world champs.

“Hey, they won the World Series. More power to them,” the outfielder
said after taking batting practice, with no lingering signs of two concussions.
“There’s only a big bull’s-eye on their back. We’re coming.” - New
York Daily News