1
Was not about French, as you know. French was a warm body that could take Wash's place in the short term.
In a radio interview, Zduriencik said about this trade that it was - quoting almost verbatim - 'an opportunity to put a gun to the head of a scout'. Meaning someone out there really, really believed in Robles, and Z wanted to act on that.
In light of this I see this as a tactical organizational / management maneuver as much - or more than - a tactical roster management maneuver.