Seattle Mariners Rumors: Nick Franklin on the Move?
By Todd Pheifer
Sep 13, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Nick Franklin (20) looks on after dropping a fly ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals pinch hitter Brock Peterson (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. St. Louis defeated Seattle 2-1 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Rumors, rumors, rumors.
The Seattle Mariners continue to be discussed in various rumors, as the season draws closer and clubs must start to think about finalizing their rosters. Most of the free agents have been signed, and now the spotlight has shifted to possible trades that might go down before opening day.
Moving Nick Franklin is not a new idea. Signing Robinson Cano created a logjam in the infield, and it was immediately speculated that Franklin or Brad Miller would have to go. Dustin Ackley has already been moved to the outfield, and it does not appear that Miller or Franklin will be joining him.
What is Franklin worth? We’re talking about a player that is still a highly regarded prospect. Franklin is young and will not be arbitration eligible until 2017. Just because Miller had a nice season does not mean that he won’t regress in 2014. Should the Mariners actually be thinking about moving Miller instead?
Unfortunately, there are no easy answers to these question. Trading prospects is always a dicey proposition because if that prospect turns out to be a star, the organization that sent him away will be scorned for a very long time.
In addition, there is the issue of what type of player the Mariners should ask for in return. Could the Mariners acquire yet another pitching prospect? Or, should the Mariners push for a player who could bolster the less-than-exciting group of outfielders that will likely patrol Safeco Field in 2014?
Ultimately, the Mariners should not move Franklin just to get him off the roster. Seattle should take their time, let him come off the bench, and perhaps experiment with him in the outfield. Would his defense be any worse than Corey Hart or Logan Morrison and their bad knees?
Stay tuned. It could be an interesting couple of weeks leading up to the start of the season.