Adios to Big Juan

Juan Francisco's career with the Atlanta Braves ended today when the team designated him for assignment.  His numbers as a Brave:

Big Juan was never able to control his strikeouts enough to make up for his prodigious power.  I know we will see him again on Sportscenter someday bombing a ~475 HR for another team, probably sooner rather than later.  The Braves have ten days to trade, release or send Francisco outright to the minors.  Fredi Gonzalez said a trade is possible.

Replacing him on the 25-man roster is Alex Wood, drafted in 2012 out of UGA, he of 57 innings in AA-ball.  Granted those 57 innings, plus the 52.2 he posted last season in A-ball, have been as good as you could want from a LHP with a quick but funky delivery.  This is a big move for the Braves, as a lot is riding on this kid coming up and throwing well.  If he does, he may spare the need to make a trade in the next two months, and with all recent financial obligations considered, that would be great news.

In other interesting news, the Kansas City Royals demoted hitting coaches Jack Maloof and Andre David to the minor leagues and named George Brett their hitting coach.  I like this move although I don't know what impact to expect from it, as the Royals have been dreadful offensively in 2013, but you certainly cannot go wrong with George freakin' Brett in that city.