Reds trade Juan Francisco to Braves for RHP J.J. Hoover

[reds44]

I'm confused as to why they sent him down. I like the trade, but would have liked to see Hoover start with the big team.

[cinreds21]

They must like Chapman and Francis more.

[Gallen5862]

Thanks Cinreds21. That is great that he has all his options. This really gives the Reds more flexability with him.

[757690]

They must like Chapman and Francis more.

Or someone else.

[Tom Servo]

I'd bet Hoover is one of the first relievers recalled from AAA as long as he pitches decently in Louisville.

[wlf WV]

Me,I'm just glad Walt traded one guy for a pitcher.

[mth123]

The more I study this, the less I like it. Francisco has impact potential and seemed a more likely heir for Rolen to me. Frazier is more the heir to Cairo. That's OK, but he had an option and didn't exactly tear up AAA last year. This decision could have been postponed until JF had more of a chance. Hoover fits in well with the likes of Ondrusek, Fisher, Lecure, Carroll, Brackman et al. Mediocre minor league starters who are probably looking at a future of being a fringe reliever. Maybe the Reds can flip him to San Diego or Seattle, where all those Fly Balls won't be such an issue, in exchange for something they can actually use. Hoover, Janish and another kid for Brad Boxberger.

[KoryMac5]

Sounds like Juan may have been looking for a change of scenery. That last piece by Fay elluded to some tension between the Reds and Juan. Don't love the trade but I really didn't care for the Massett for Griffey deal either. Hopefully Hoover is more Nick and less Maloney.

[757690]

The more I study this, the less I like it. Francisco has impact potential and seemed a more likely heir for Rolen to me. Frazier is more the heir to Cairo. That's OK, but he had an option and didn't exactly tear up AAA last year. This decision could have been postponed until JF had more of a chance. Hoover fits in well with the likes of Ondrusek, Fisher, Lecure, Carroll, Brackman et al. Mediocre minor league starters who are probably looking at a future of being a fringe reliever. Maybe the Reds can flip him to San Diego or Seattle, where all those Fly Balls won't be such an issue, in exchange for something they can actually use. Hoover, Janish and another kid for Brad Boxberger.

Personally, I saw Francisco as the heir to Willie Green

[dfs]

Dusty never seemed to like Juan.

Francisco had several opportunities in the last couple of years to rack up serious playing time and establish himself as a major league regular. It's not exactly like Scott Rolen has been playing all 9 inninge of 162 games.

Each time Francisco either was or got hurt.

Out of options, he reports to spring training out of shape and goes to the trainer and says he's hurt.......

I don't much mind a manager that doesn't care for a player like that.

[camisadelgolf]

I like selling high on Fransisco and opening up a spot for Frazier, but I'm always wary of trading for a Braves pitcher. I think Fransisco will have a nice little major league career along the lines of a Marcus Thames. He'll hit for power and start from time to time, but he'll never get on base enough to be a regular.

I hear this said a lot, but historically--well, for the past ~20 years or so--the Reds have gotten the better end of deals from the Braves, even when including deals involving pitchers.

[I(heart)Freel]

Personally, I saw Francisco as the heir to Willie Green

I saw Juan as the heir to Edwin Encarnacion and he similarly fell out of favor not through talent but through attitude/preparation/work ethic.

Let someone else shake that bottle and hope for some champagne to hit the glass. That seems to Walt's MO of late. Trade high risk/high reward for steady-Eddy, known commodities even if the ceiling is much smaller.

[fearofpopvol1]

I hear this said a lot, but historically--well, for the past ~20 years or so--the Reds have gotten the better end of deals from the Braves, even when including deals involving pitchers.

Adam Wainwright was a Braves pitcher as well.

Not to mention, I feel like it's a new era in Atlanta. There have been changes to the organization, so I don't know how much weight I'd put into this either.

[Dom Heffner]

I hear this said a lot, but historically--well, for the past ~20 years or so--the Reds have gotten the better end of deals from the Braves, even when including deals involving pitchers.

Rick Mahler was worth getting so we didn't have to see his Pedro Martinez act everytime we faced him. Goodness he was a Reds killer.

[corkedbat]

Never a big fan of JF longterm. I was alright with him as a caddy for Rolen and LH hitter on the bench. I don't see him as a long range answer at third base. I just think that major league pitchers will soon have a full book on him and I believe he will make it easy on them by his pitch selection. Certainly not sold on him defensively either.

Not sure why Hoover is such an extreme flyball pitcher - especially with a pretty decent slider. That does worry me a bit, but he is more than I expected for Juan. Another bright side to this is the fact that the Reds won't just hand the job to JF, post-Rolen, but will instead have to find a legit 3B.