Brewers acquire 3B Juan Francisco from Atlanta Braves

[Invader3K]

In exchange for LHP Tom Keeling (AA). Francisco will wear #21, apparently. This is being reported by Andrew Gruman, Bob Nightengale, and others on Twitter.

[homer]

Hit the ball well in the minors. Doesn't walk much. Not sure about his defense. Good buy low guy if they end up trading Ramirez.

[pogokat]

Exactly what I was thinking

[jerichoholicninja]

When I saw he was DFA'd I thought he would be an ok pickup but really didn't see a position for him in Milwaukee. You've got to think that he'll at least platoon with Yuni at first. Hopefully he'll just take over the position until Corey comes back.

[JohnBriggs12]

His 1B play is limited but I would think he'd at least platoon there, perhaps with Bianchi now that Gennett is also on board. Francisco is a .270/.319/.476 hitter vs. RHP.

[DocLuna7]

DM told WSSP that Francisco will play 1B for now. Will post link as soon as I can.

[PrinceEatMeat]

This move is definitely in part covering for when Hart/Ramirez get traded in July. I like the move. Needed another lefty bat too.

[Bombers]

His 1B play is limited but I would think he'd at least platoon there, perhaps with Bianchi now that Gennett is also on board. Francisco is a .270/.319/.476 hitter vs. RHP.

Bianchi is hitting .105/.150/.105 vs LHP this year. Just an aberration but none the less nothing that is screaming platoon this guy and let him see more LHP. (Considering he hit .098 last year against LHP too)

 

Yuni is hitting: .246/.281/.344 vs LHP this year.

 

So in the end, someone is getting platooned until Hart shows up.

[monty57]

I think Hart is starting his minor league rehab soon, but he & Ramirez will probably both need days off to rest their knees. That probably accounts for 2-4 starts/week, so it's nice to have a semi-capable LH bat to do that. I hope those who are predicting Ramirez/Hart trades are correct, but I won't hold out hope.

[brewcrewdue80]

Whatever production we get it is sure to be better than Alex Gonzalez whom the team now is getting rid of!

 

And thinking ahead what this means to the team. A. They have a 1b for now til Hart arrives. B. they have a 3b if/when they trade away ARam. If Hart performs and is traded I'd expect Hunter to get called up.

 

Way to Go with this move! It really provides flexibility in the likely future moves the club makes during the Trading Deadline time.

[brewmann04]

I can see multiple moves by the Crew come July.

[joepepsi]

If they can get a decent high minors pitching prospect for Aram he will be gone in an instant. I agree this looks like coverage for upcoming trades, and some hope for even a little offense at 1B in the next month.

[torts]

he's only 26 and is entering his first year of arbitration in 2014... FA status is not until 2018. thats great

[brewcrewdue80]

I guess another thing to put out there is he has OF experience too. You wonder if this allows Braun an added day off or two here and there. More than 2-4Starts a week by him. Saying Juan plays all 3 of 1b/3b/OF Maybe.

 

25 turning 26 is a whole lot better than 31&36 of Yuni/Gonzalez. And with some OF time he's certainly more flexible for them.

Biachi and him two play all over the place guys. I like it.

[torts]

our team could be really young if they do trade off Rami, Hart and somehow Weeks...

[Dnye23]

I'm excited for this move. We got a steal of a deal with a guy the Braves just didn't have room for. Hopefully he gets about 80% work at 1st until Corey comes back. Should be enough time for him to prove he belongs in a every day lineup once you send A-Ram for an arm. His numbers are what they are, but I liked watching this guy in ATL. I have high hopes.

[Funketown]

Not a big trade, but can't complain when you get a decent role player on the cheap. Looks to put up better numbers than Yuni and is five years younger.

[brwrsfan]

It would be interesting to see an infield of Francisco, Segura, Gennett and Morris come August.

[craigharmann]

It would be interesting to see an infield of Francisco, Segura, Gennett and Morris come August.

 

This is exactly what I was thinking.

[Eye Black]

I guess another thing to put out there is he has OF experience too. You wonder if this allows Braun an added day off or two here and there. More than 2-4Starts a week by him. Saying Juan plays all 3 of 1b/3b/OF Maybe.

Positions-A-Plenty, the Juan Francisco Treat

[djoctagone]

for the record, nobody here predicted that the brewers would have two players named francisco on the roster. at least the francisco talent is better than the mouton talent.

[JohnBriggs12]

for the record, nobody here predicted that the brewers would have two players named francisco on the roster. at least the francisco talent is better than the mouton talent.

 

I'd take Lyle Mouton's career .280/.339/.420 from Juan Francisco. He was a tremendous minor league hitter who just didn't quite have the talent to play every day in the big leagues, nor the defense to be a great utility outfielder. But he could hit. Davy Lopes wasn't his biggest fan though.

[trwi7]

Only complaint about this is I would have preferred Betancourt be released than Gonzalez.

[brwrsfan]

Gonzalez really rubbed me the wrong way. He was hitting terrible and he just didn't seem to want to hustle or even pretend to care.

[Yaz]

Someone tell me where all these RUMORS of Ramirez and Hart being traded in July before the deadline are set in stone?

 

Come on if you want to spread conjecture take it to the rumors section.

 

These moves were made today to try and shake the club awake. We now have a left handed hitting first baseman who will likely platoon with Betancourt until Hart is back. We also have a younger player brought up to push Weeks. I honestly think Weeks needs to have his eyes checked.