The Brewers have announced that utilityman Nick Franklin has been designated for assignment. Veterans Ryan Braun and Jonathan Villar, meanwhile, were both activated from their DL stints.
Franklin, 26, has not performed well for Milwaukee after coming over from the Rays in a waiver claim right at the start of the season. Through 89 plate appearances, he carries an ugly .195/.258/.317 batting line.
That said, Franklin has shown more at times in the upper minors and even against major league pitching. Last year, he gave Tampa Bay 191 plate appearances of .270/.328/.443 hitting with a half-dozen homers and as many steals. He’s also capable of playing all over the diamond, though the metrics haven’t always been kind to his glovework.
User 4245925809
Franklin will get picked up, nothing else? He’s a whole heap better than is Michael martinez, that somehow seems to find a job. Francona might want to get over that love affair he has with him and try Franklin, whose glove in the IF is a bit better and actually has some pop in his bat if he actually wants a true utility player. Not that Franklin is up to Holt category, but he’s a massive improvement over the mid 30’s and offensively useless Martinez.
JP8
I’m no guru or anything but maybe Martinez is one of those really positive people everyone likes and a small upgrade isn’t worth it. There is more than meets the eye sometime.
Paul Molitor
twins pick him up
Phattey
Thank god this bum is gone
firstbleed
Agree but Villar’s numbers aren’t a whole lot better this year either ;(
jackt
did the Brewers have an open spot on their 25-man or are we expecting another move?
ray_derek
Brinson was sent down earlier I believe
Christopher Martin
Sogard’s otherworldly performance this year effectively elevated him above both Franklin and Villar on the depth chart.
jdgoat
Matt Garza’s seething
firstbleed
I hope at some point this year we see a BRewers OF consisting of BRaun, BRoxton and BRinson in the same game… might have to wait a few more weeks.
brewcrewenthusiast
I’ll take Santana over broxton 10/10 times
pdxbrewcrew
Maybe we can swing a deal with the Indians and get back BRantley?