Completing a quest he began in 2010, Ruben Amaro has inked Jeff MF-ing Francoeur to a (minor league) contract.

Now, before we get all bent out of shape, signing Francoeur to a cheap, low-risk deal isn’t the worst thing in the world. Best case scenario? He fills the vacuum in right or left with a lukewarm body. At this point the Phils are just trying to piece together a nine-man lineup that will prevent them from being 10-run-ruled. Francoeur, I suppose, could help in that endeavoeur. Though his .083 batting average in 10 games with the Padres last year doesn’t give me much confidence that he’ll even be able to do that.

Francoeur will join Andres Blanco, Brian Bogusevic, Russ Canzler, Chase d’Arnaud, John Hester, Darin Mastroianni and Xavier Paul as non-roster invitees at spring training. Excitement!