Red Sox Claim Juan Francisco Off Waivers
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Red Sox have found a power-hitting third baseman, just not the power-hitting third baseman many fans were expecting.
The Boston Red Sox claimed infielder Juan Francisco off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced on Wednesday. The move comes amid speculation that Boston will sign free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
The 27-year-old Francisco played 106 games for the Blue Jays last season, batting .220 with 16 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, and 43 RBI. The lefty averaged an extra-base hit every 11.8 at-bats, the ninth-best rate among American Leaguers with at least 300 plate appearances. His 34 extra-base hits were the most in the majors among players with no more than 350 plate appearances.
Against right-handed pitching, Francisco is a career .248 hitter (213-for-848) with 46 doubles, four triples, 47 home runs and 141 RBI. Over his major league career, Francisco has hit .236 (235-for-996) with 50 doubles, four triples, 48 home runs, and 152 RBI in 404 games for the Cincinnati Reds (2009-11), Atlanta Braves (2012-13), Milwaukee Brewers (2013), and Blue Jays (2014).
In the field, Francisco has played both first and third base in the majors, with the majority of his time coming at third (197 games, 161 starts).
With Wednesday's pickup of Francisco, Boston's 40-man roster is now at 36 players.
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