The other day I took a lot of heat for supporting Jeff Francoeur, but more specifically for appreciating the intangibles that he brings to the game. I'm not really sure why, but there's a group of fans who seem to become extremely up-set whenever intangibles are brought up. Look, I agree baseball is 90% talent/skill but professional athletes are so close in there skill set that the other 10% plays into the outcome of a season. I'm not saying I'd rather have David Eckstien play short stop because he has so much more grit then Jose Reyes. But two players of equal talent can have significantly different impact on the exact same team depending upon their personality and the collective personality of that team. I seemed to be on the unpleasant end of some ridicule over using Hadley Ramirez as an example of a player who I felt brought a significant amount of these intangibles to the table, especially in the last series of the season for the past two years. In 2007 on the second to last day of the season Ramirez took exception to Jose Reyes and it's been reported that he was firing his team up to knock us out of the playoffs. Before Glavine could even settle into the game Ramirez was on base and some believe he rattled him into a big inning, of course it could just be a coincidence and his junk talking had nothing to do with Glavine's bad outing or his Florida's energetic game on the last day of a losing season.The next year Ramirez didn't even play in the game, so for some it's even more of a grasp that he would have an impact on the game. But again he was reported to be firing his team up, to knock us out of the playoffs and again his team came through. Many people want a fiery coach to lead the team but they quickly dismiss the impact of an influential player as a fiery cheerleader from that very same bench.Maybe it is a coincidence but if you've ever been in a dugout or locker room you know the impact emotions can have on performance and sure talent usually wins out especially over a long season but in a short series or single game I believe those intangibles can have an impact. I also believe that it's as important to build a talented team as it is to develop the right locker room chemistry in making that team a winner, over the last three years we've had the talent but I think we've missed the chemistry. Plain and simply, I believe Francoeur brings both of those elements to the team, I'm not sure why that concept brings so much ire from some fans. After all, I not saying we bring in a lesser talented player for the position, so that we have more grit on the team. Francoeur was the top prospect, best athlete and best defensive outfielder for the Atlanta Braves organization entering the 2005 season, as rated by Baseball America.The next year John Sickels did a series called crystal ball where he tried to predict top young prospects offensive numbers for their career. During his analysis Sickel's gave Francoeur's career possible comparisons to: Dale Murphy, Jim Rice, Joe Carter. In his forecast which he predicted several offensive down seasons over a 17 year career but over a BA .268. At the end of the seasons Sickel's deemed his predictions for at least that year a success.We have all read the reports that he has struggled for the last two season in his home town of Atlanta. While some are willing to accept the idea that he needed a change of scenery because the pressure put on him in Atlanta was just too much. Others want to dismiss his early numbers as an aberration and that he just isn't that good. However, all reports on his talent levels aren't from his distant past.Entering the 2009 season, Hardball times who uses all kinds of numbers I barely understand ( dramatic license of course) ranked his arm the 9th best amongst right fielders in all of baseball. Francoeur has a 170 Kill+, 101 Hold+, 2.0 runs and 2.6 runs200. Basically Frenchy's arms stops two more runs then most, only three players had significantly better arms. Also entering this season Rob Neyer of ESPN ranked him the 10th best young right fielder in baseball and by now I think he's passed a few since Lasting Milledge was 9th.Just last season he was ranked by Today.com as the 5th best defensive outfielder in baseball, not for his bat or arm but his strong routes to the ball and keen eye for the ball off the bat.So while I may like that he beats up on water coolers there should be enough proof that the talents there for those who need numbers to substantiate his worth, bottom line should be that we have a young talented right fielder to help us win moving forward...