Should The Yankees Target Juan Francisco In A Trade?
By Jason Evans
Mar 3, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman
Juan Francisco(21) hits an RBI single against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
News broke a couple of days ago that during David Phelps start, scouts were there. Some of those scouts were there to see Francisco Cervelli (who went yard btw). The scouts for Cervelli were from the Milwaukee Brewers, who could be looking to upgrade their backup catcher. Some speculation was that they could use Cervelli in a deal for Aramis Ramirez or Rickie Weeks. There is another player they could trade for though. That guy is Juan Francisco.
Am I advocating a Cervelli for Francisco deal? No. I don’t think the Yanks should particularly do that one. However, Francisco is a guy who can help.
The one big thing Francisco can do is hit bombs. Between Atlanta and Milwuakee last season, he hit 18 homers in 348 at-bats, which averages out to a homer every 19 at-bats. If he were to have had enough at-bats to qualify among the AL leaders for that stat last season and continued that pace, he’d be 11th in the league in that category.
Francisco can back up at both third and first, something the Yankees don’t really have at the current time. When you hear about Alfonso Soriano being the backup first baseman, it should raise some concerns.
Francisco isn’t exactly going to approximate Brooks Robinson at third or Keith Hernandez at first. In fact, last season he graded out at a -18 in defensive runs saved. But, he’s 26 and looks to be in better shape this spring.
Ironically, Francisco is being pushed out of a spot on the roster by two former Yankees; Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds.
I think it’s inevitable the Brewers and Yankees talk trade before now and opening day. I think the Yankees should try and make Francisco a part of any deal that could happen between the two teams.