Seattle Mariners News: Tired of Nick Franklin Rumors
By Todd Pheifer
March 3, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Nick Franklin (6) hits an RBI double in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The rumors continue, but Nick Franklin is still a member of the Seattle Mariners. Lots of talk, and no movement. Meanwhile, the season approaches.
Apparently the Baltimore Orioles are interested in Franklin. Or, maybe it is the New York Mets. Then again, perhaps the Tampa Bay Rays would like to acquire Franklin from the M’s.
Why do I have the feeling that Franklin might still be with the Mariners on opening day?
If I’m one of these teams, I am willing to wait out the Mariners. The moment Robinson Cano was signed, Franklin became expendable. That gives the advantage to all the potential buyers out there.
Franklin is getting time to play in Arizona, and Jack Zduriencik will continue to suggest that both Franklin and Brad Miller will compete for the starting shortstop job. There may be some truth to those suggestions, but these comments could also be the usual rhetoric that goes along with packaging a player.
It may very well be that the teams in question are hoping to buy low and get Franklin at a bargain price. Unfortunately there is the risk that Zduriencik may be desperate to clear space on the roster, and may let Franklin go for less than market value.
Clearly, that would be bad.
The ongoing dilemma with players like Franklin is that nothing is guaranteed. The Mariners can hype their prospects all they want, but some players just do not pan out. It seems reasonable to assume that the Orioles, Mets and Rays know this.
Again, all these whispers may come to nothing. If the Mariners hold out for maximum value, “interested” teams may simply walk away and go shopping elsewhere.
For now, Franklin remains in Peoria. Something tells me that he may be staying with the Mariners in 2014. Stay tuned, because that could change at any moment.