Blue Jays acquire Richards and Francis

July 6th, 2021

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired RHP Trevor Richards and RHP Bowden Francis from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for INF Rowdy Tellez.

Richards, 28, is involved in his second trade this season, having gone from Tampa Bay to Milwaukee as part of a four-player deal on May 21. The 6-2, 195 lb. right-hander made six relief appearances for the Rays and 15 for the Brewers, combining to go 3-0 with a save while keeping a 3.69 ERA and fanning 41 batters over 31.2 innings of work. The native of Aviston, IL, has also pitched for the Marlins as part of his four-year career, amassing a 4.34 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP across 52 starts and 33 relief appearances.

Francis, 25, has gone 7-3 with a 3.62 ERA in 11 starts between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville this season. The 6-5, 225 lb. righty was drafted by the Brewers in the 7th round in 2017 out of Chipola College (FL). Francis has accumulated a 22-23 record with a 4.23 ERA in 63 starts and six relief outings over four Minor League campaigns.

Tellez, 26, has batted .209 with four doubles, one triple, four home runs, and eight RBI across 50 games for the Blue Jays this season. The Elk Grove, CA, native was selected by Toronto in the 30th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. The 6-4, 255 lb. left-handed hitter is in his fourth Major League season and owns a .241 career average with 37 doubles, one triple, 37 home runs, and 99 RBI over 219 contests.