He was. Again, I am not at all endorsing the idea that the Royals should trade Myers. I would rather them go out and spend the money on a guy like Morrow or McCarthy (assuming they can't afford Anibal Sanchez) than trade Myers. But I stand by the idea that even IF Francouer were as bad as he was in 2012, he would not be even close to the worst player to start for a world series team.
Just for the sake of using a team from recent memory, look at the 2010 San Francisco Giants starting outfield:
LF Cody Ross (2010: .268 AVG, .405. Career .260, .460 SLG)
CF Aaron Rowand (2010: .230, .378. Career .243, .388 SLG)
RF Andres Torres (2010: .268, .479. Career.271, .435 SLG)
Not exactly Murder's row.
Francouer: Last season's stats: .235 BA, .378 SLG.
Career: .266, .426 SLG. Add in one of the best outfield arms ever, and you have a serviceable outfielder.
(Based on those numbers, you also have to assume that he is a better hitter than he showed last year, even if only marginally.)
What's the difference between the 2010 Giants and the Royals? The Giants had a very good pitching staff. Add a David Price/James Shields, and the Royals could also have a good one, to go along with a very good, young bullpen and the potential for a good lineup.
Also - By no means am I expecting this happen. I'm a lifelong Royals fan and I understand the expectation for the annual KITN. I just don't quite get the extreme Francouer hate.