Ten years ago this month the Rockies made Jeff Francis the ninth overall selection in the 2002 draft. Now general manager Dan O'Dowd has interest in signing the left-hander as a free agent, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
"We are interested; I have no idea of the outcome of that interest," O’Dowd said.
The Reds released Francis this morning after he opted out of his contract. He posted a 3.72 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 77 1/3 innings at Triple-A before being granted his release. He could re-sign in Cincinnati if he doesn’t obtain a Major League deal elsewhere, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes (on Twitter).
Francis, 31, pitched for the Rockies from 2004-10. He posted a 4.22 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 215 1/3 innings for the 2007 team that won the National League pennant.
I don’t think that this soft-tossing lefty is much of an improvement over Moyer. At least Moyer had the excuse of middle-age.
Tigers should get him!