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Sitting in between is the breaking point I'd agree.. thats why guys with minus-fastballs are so dependent on their breaking stuff/deception.
You throwing quality breaking stuff enough that guys can sit on it and still not hit it on occasion, then guys 'can't sit in-between on you. The fastball serves almost as a breaking ball for pitchers like Jorge Campillo who slow your bat down. I think French needs to pitch 'more' like that, although not as extreme as a guy like Campillo since he has a tad more zip.
I'd call French's upside sort of like a lefty Sonnantine with a tad less command, more Ks (before Sonnanstine lost his breaking stuff). J.P. Howell is also a similar 'type' pitcher and might be French's upside in the pen.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=8245&position=P
Howell throws even slower than French and is the best reliever in the game.
I'm not saying French is going to reach that SP upside, he could easily wash-out if he doesn't do respectable enough against RHPS. I just don't like how hes been so easily written off as an Olson-type pitcher and had his fastball compared to the likes of Halama and Moyer (who throw 4mph less than him). Theres no reason to 'hope' he can be a Halama type.. The guy may not have Halama's command, but he has a higher ceiling.
I think French has #3-4 SP upside and would be a great fit for Safeco. I think his absolute downside is a dominant loogy.