Ken Rosenthal speculation: Juan Francisco to DET?

[brewmann04]

He speculates that the tigers needing a LH bat and that he has to beat out both Reynolds and Overbay. I don;t see the Crew moving him seem to like the Kids Power.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/justin-masterson-cleveland-indians-james-shields-billy-burns-mike-olt-030614

 

Francisco Could Be On Move ... Again

 

Might the Tigers take a look at the Brewers' Juan Francisco, who is out of options and could be squeezed out of Milwaukee by Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay?

 

The loss of left fielder Andy Dirks to back surgery leaves Alex Avila, Don Kelly and switch-hitters Victor Martinez and Steve Lombardozzi as the only left-handed hitters on the Tigers' roster.

 

Francisco, 26, is playing third as well as first this spring and also could serve as a DH. A trade would put him on his fourth team in six seasons. But for his career, he has 32 home runs in 709 at-bats and a .731 OPS.

 

Why would the Brewers keep Overbay over Francisco as their left-handed hitting alternative at first? Defense. Brewers first basemen combined for 21 errors last season. No other team had more than 14.

[monty57]

It would depend on the return. I think right now Francisco would beat out Overbay, but if the return in trade is greater than the marginal difference from Francisco to Overbay, then make the trade.

[TURBO]

If he is beaten out by "O", we want no part of him anyway...

[trwi7]

I don't get Rosenthal's thinking here. The Tigers lost their left fielder, so they'll go and get Francisco? Unless they plan on moving Castellanos to left field and play Francisco at 3rd until Dirks is ready to play again but that seems unlikely to me.

[Warning Track Power]

Please be true...As much as I think Overbay is done, I want no part of Juan Francisco on the Brewers in the present or future.

[TheCrew07]

I don't get Rosenthal's thinking here. The Tigers lost their left fielder, so they'll go and get Francisco? Unless they plan on moving Castellanos to left field and play Francisco at 3rd until Dirks is ready to play again but that seems unlikely to me.

 

Well Castellanos may ultimately be an OF but I trouble believing there would be serious interest in Francisco, but I admit to holding a Yuni B level of hatred towards him.

[JohnBriggs12]

Castellanos played 130 games in LF at AAA last year and only 27 at 3B. But really his offensive numbers above A ball have been fairly ordinary, so there is a need there for a fall back guy.

 

If the Brewers can parlay a hot week or two in Arizona for anything back for Francisco, then Melvin's a genius.

 

I'm certainly no fan of Francisco or Overbay at this stage for that matter, but at least Overbay knows how to play the position.

[PrinceFielderx1]

I'm surprised Rosenthal still has a job.

[trwi7]

I'm surprised Rosenthal still has a job.

 

[sarcasm]You should take his job. Your takes are pretty awesome.[/sarcasm]

[PrinceFielderx1]

I'm surprised Rosenthal still has a job.

 

[sarcasm]You should take his job. Your takes are pretty awesome.[/sarcasm]

 

I've predicted more trades/signings than he has in his entire career months before they even happened (Sabathia, Greinke, Ramirez, Marcum etc...) You would do a better job than him, trwi7, and add some sassiness that should get you plenty of attention. That last part should be in blue, but I'm color blind and so that rule doesn't apply to me.

[Warning Track Power]

Well Castellanos may ultimately be an OF but I trouble believing there would be serious interest in Francisco, but I admit to holding a Yuni B level of hatred towards him.

Glad I am not the only one...

[JohnBriggs12]

I'm surprised Rosenthal still has a job.

 

If you believed everything being written about players this time of year, you'd be convinced every team is coming north with 35 players, not 25.

 

The Brewers on one hand have been publicly marveling about Francisco's awesome power this spring. But they still went out this winter and looked at virtually every other option available at first base, eventually bringing in a flawed guy like Reynolds and the aging Overbay. If that's not a lack of confidence in Francisco, I don't know what is.

 

So Rosenthal is speculating on a landing spot for "Fan"cisco. It gets people talking. That's his job when it comes down to it.

[PrinceFielderx1]

I'm surprised Rosenthal still has a job.

 

If you believed everything being written about players this time of year, you'd be convinced every team is coming north with 35 players, not 25.

 

The Brewers on one hand have been publicly marveling about Francisco's awesome power this spring. But they still went out this winter and looked at virtually every other option available at first base, eventually bringing in a flawed guy like Reynolds and the aging Overbay. If that's not a lack of confidence in Francisco, I don't know what is.

 

So Rosenthal is speculating on a landing spot for "Fan"cisco. It gets people talking. That's his job when it comes down to it.

 

If he gets a HOF vote and get's paid over $30,000 a year for creating discussion, which anybody at this site can do, then this is such a waste of money. Worse than the Federal Government spending 500 million on the research of squirrels.

[SoupTown]

Is there something wrong with the squirrels?

[PrinceFielderx1]

Is there something wrong with the squirrels?

 

I guess they are re-searching how they can gain so much weight by eating nuts all day.....

[Invader3K]

I am not in favor of cutting Fat Juan in favor of Overbay. Overbay is completely washed up. Francisco at least has some level of potential for getting better.

[JohnBriggs12]

I am not in favor of cutting Fat Juan in favor of Overbay. Overbay is completely washed up. Francisco at least has some level of potential for getting better.

 

Based on what? A handful of spring training games? While I agree with your assessment of Overbay generally (at best old Lyle might be able to put together a month or two of decent play), I think Francisco's woeful production over the last 6 weeks on 2013 sealed his fate and they are just hoping a hot couple of weeks in Arizona might produce some value back for Fat Juan. Francisco is one of those guys whose good stretches while quite amazing, don't last very long and who's bad stretches that are really bad, last considerably longer. Then there's that defense, well actually lack of defense.

 

There will be other options besides Overbay available as teams reduce their rosters. Smoak or Carp likely could be had for not much return.

[Warning Track Power]

I know we are only three weeks away from Opening Day, but I still cannot imagine Melvin going into the season with Reynolds and Overbay/Francisco as our 1B options. I don't care what Francisco has done in ST, something has to change. I just have to believe that one of the ugly candidates (Ike, Smoak, Carp etc...) that have constantly mentioned will eventually be had for a low level prospect. Overbay/Francisco just have no business being on the roster come March 31.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I think people are ignoring the fact that Francisco altered his batting stance during the offseason after his late season struggles. He raked all the way through winter league, and it has continued in Spring Training. I don't think it's just a fluke. Obviously, he still may be a bit streaky at the plate. I'm just saying that I don't think it's a coincidence that he has looked better at the plate this Spring. However, I do think the Brewers favor defense over offense at 1B. And the reason for that is that the 1B can hit 8th in this lineup. The offense from 1B isn't really a big necessity. That's what's favoring Overbay over Francisco. Ultimately, I think Reynolds gets the majority of playing time, and Overbay will be the backup who plays solid defense and gives veteran leadership. Francisco's defense will ultimately be his downfall. I would like to see him get a chance to at least be a bench bat though. He could provide some needed pop. But having him take the majority of at-bats at 1B just isn't going to happen.

[Outlander]

I actually thought what he did in winter ball was discouraging, showed little power and had 42 strikeouts in 150 at bats. On the positive he did continue to walk more.

[monty57]

However, I do think the Brewers favor defense over offense at 1B.

 

I don't remember Melvin ever favoring defense over offense at any position.

 

I know we are only three weeks away from Opening Day, but I still cannot imagine Melvin going into the season with Reynolds and Overbay/Francisco as our 1B options. I don't care what Francisco has done in ST, something has to change. I just have to believe that one of the ugly candidates (Ike, Smoak, Carp etc...) that have constantly mentioned will eventually be had for a low level prospect. Overbay/Francisco just have no business being on the roster come March 31.

 

Almost every team has "bad" players at some positions. When we spend most of our payroll on a handful of players, we're going to have some positions that aren't manned by good players.

[TheCrew07]

Almost every team has "bad" players at some positions. When we spend most of our payroll on a handful of players, we're going to have some positions that aren't manned by good players.

 

... well that and an unproductive farm system.

[PrinceFielderx1]

Almost every team has "bad" players at some positions. When we spend most of our payroll on a handful of players, we're going to have some positions that aren't manned by good players.

 

... well that and an unproductive farm system.

 

I rate a teams farm system as 50% of what needed to develop a good team. They other 50% is a GM that can fill needs by adding multiple good players to the roster by trading 1 good player and by utilitzing FA market wisely. The thing is the farm system doesn't have to be all that good to aquire those players as Doug Melvin has proved, which makes having a good farm system less important. I'll just politely disagree with both of you.

[TheCrew07]

I rate a teams farm system as 50% of what needed to develop a good team. They other 50% is a GM that can fill needs by adding multiple good players to the roster by trading 1 good player and by utilitzing FA market wisely. The thing is the farm system doesn't have to be all that good to aquire those players as Doug Melvin has proved, which makes having a good farm system less important. I'll just politely disagree with both of you.

 

[PrinceFielderx1]

I rate a teams farm system as 50% of what needed to develop a good team. They other 50% is a GM that can fill needs by adding multiple good players to the roster by trading 1 good player and by utilitzing FA market wisely. The thing is the farm system doesn't have to be all that good to aquire those players as Doug Melvin has proved, which makes having a good farm system less important. I'll just politely disagree with both of you.

 

 

You just became my favorite poster and you have no clue why.