Milwaukee Brewers Acquire Juan Francisco, Release Alex Gonzalez Amid Flurry of Moves

Juan Francisco has shown plenty of promise at the plate, but has yet to put it all together. Perhaps a move to the Brewers will help. (Image Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports)

Stuck at the bottom of the NL Central with the second-worst record in the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have yet to perform up to expectations this season and it seems that the team’s front office isn’t ready to just simply give up on the season. The team has announced a handful of moves today to adjust their active roster, all with the hope that the team’s fortunes begin to turn around. The team acquired Juan Francisco from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Tom Keeling. They’ve also released Alex Gonzalez, called up Scooter Gennett, and optioned Mike Fiers.

Francisco will join the Brewers after being designated for assignment by the Braves last Thursday. He’d hit .241/.287/.398 on the year in 115 PA, showing some flashes of power but with an alarmingly high strikeout rate (roughly 37.5% of his plate appearances). Atlanta has primarily used him in a platoon role, but he’d lost playing time of late to Chris Johnson and his place on the Braves active roster appeared tenuous at best. Francisco’s MLB career (209 games played since the start of 2009) has been spent entirely at third base but it appears that the Brewers may consider using him at first base in the interim.

Francisco won’t turn 26 until later this month and is not yet arbitration eligible, potentially giving the Brewers an inexpensive option in their infield depending on what steps they take towards shaping their roster for the coming years. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez is under contract through next season but could be a potential trade option this summer. There are also questions about Corey Hart’s health long term, once he returns from the current injury that’s kept him on the shelf all season.

Keeling, a left-handed reliever, has yet to pitch above Double-A. The 25 year old has made 17 appearances on the year, going 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.471 WHIP over 17.0 IP at Huntsville. The former 18th Round pick (2009 Draft) has posted some strong strikeout numbers in his minor league career (9.8 K/9) but has demonstrated little else to suggest that he’ll develop into a solid Major Leaguer.

As for the decision to release Gonzalez, the move comes somewhat as a surprise. Milwaukee had signed the veteran shortstop to a deal worth $1.45 Million this past offseason, even after he missed most of 2012 du to an ACL injury. He’s hit just .177/.203/.230 in 118 PA on the year, a far cry from the offensive production he’s been capable of throughout his career. Gonzalez has spent the bulk of that 15 year career at shortstop, but has actually spent the majority of his playing time on the year at the infield corners filling in for Ramirez and Hart. Gonzalez began to losing playing time in recent weeks, partly thanks to the surprising bat of Yuniesky Betancourt.

Gennett has hit .297/.342/.376 in 221 PA on the year for the team’s Triple-A affiliate. The diminutive (he’s just 5’9”) second baseman has been considered a contact hitter with little power throughout most of his minor league career, but the organization appears to be hoping that he’ll push Rickie Weeks, who’s production has not been there all year. Fiers has already made a few trips back-and-forth between Milwaukee and Nashville on the year. In 11 appearances (including three starts) for the Brewers he’s 1-4 with a 7.25 ERA in 22.1 IP.