Jeff Francis has seen countless other players come and go at Coors Field, and now it’s his turn.
Francis, who started for the Rockies in Game 1 of the 2007 World Series, signed Friday with the Kansas City Royals, who offered him the only thing he was asking for: a chance to crack a big-league rotation.
“I’ve seen it happen to so many guys,” Francis said. “It’s part of the game. It’s not something I’m angry about or disappointed about. It’s a step in the right direction for my career, so I’ve got to take it.”
Francis, who won 55 games with the Rockies after being selected in the first round of the 2002 draft, was very popular among his teammates. So it was that, despite a 2010 season in which he finished 4-6 with a 5.00 ERA after missing all of 2009 with shoulder problems, the Rockies offered him $1 million guaranteed and an invitation to spring training as a nonroster player.
The Royals stepped up with $2 million, a spot on their 40-man roster, and a legitimate shot at making the rotation. They also had something no other team could offer: Bob McClure as their pitching coach. McClure spent seven years in the Rockies’ minor-league system and worked extensively with Francis as he ascended to the big leagues.
“My first priority is to go out and pitch,” Francis said. “Being able to work with Bob again is a bonus, for sure. I think I’ll be there as long as I can stay effective and stay healthy. I don’t have any expectations numbers-wise, but it’s a sink-or-swim kind of deal. If I go out and do pretty well, I could have a number of years left in me. If I don’t, I won’t.”
Francis, who turned 30 last week, had known for several weeks that the Rockies couldn’t offer him what some other clubs could. He received interest from a handful of teams — the Mets, Rangers and Pirates among them — but chose Kansas City, a franchise that has long been reduced to bottom-feeder status.
“There’s sort of a bittersweet feeling,” he said. “It’s not something I’ve done totally by choice, but it’s a necessary thing to happen. Personally, for my career, it’s probably the best move.”
Yes, Francis said, it will seem strange going to spring training with a new team, having spent his entire career with the Rockies. And he’s disappointed he won’t be able to report to the Rockies’ new spring digs in Scottsdale, Ariz., after all those years in Tucson.
“It’s tough,” he said. “I know how special it is with the Rockies. They’re the only team I’ve ever known. It would have been nice to see that gorgeous new complex, but I’ll just have to see it as a visiting player, I guess.”
Said Francis, when asked if he wanted to leave a message for Rockies fans: “The fans have been so good to me. They’ve stuck with me for a long time, as did the organization. Thank you wouldn’t be enough.”
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
