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Rays Designate Nick Franklin For Assignment

By charliewilmoth | April 1, 2017 at 10:18am CDT

The Rays have designated utilityman Nick Franklin for assignment, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Jumbo Diaz, Daniel Robertson, Mallex Smith and Peter Bourjos have all made the Rays’ Opening Day roster.

The 26-year-old Franklin batted a solid .270/.328/.443 in 191 plate appearances with the Rays in 2016, but he posted subpar defensive numbers and was out of options. He also rarely plays shortstop and therefore doesn’t make an ideal utility infielder, and Rays manager Kevin Cash pointed to Robertson’s ability to back up the shortstop position better than Franklin as a factor in the decision, via a tweet from Topkin. With Smith and Bourjos to back up Colby Rasmus, Kevin Kiermaier and Steven Souza Jr. in the outfield (where Franklin also plays), there was no space for Franklin on the Rays’ roster.

Still, it wouldn’t be a shock if Franklin were claimed on waivers. His versatility, experience, relative youth and modestly useful bat could make him a potential fit for teams seeking to fill out their rosters as Opening Day approaches.

Franklin arrived in Tampa via the Rays’ 2014 three-team trade of David Price — the Rays got Franklin from the Mariners and Drew Smyly and top prospect Willy Adames from the Tigers, with veteran outfielder Austin Jackson heading from Detroit to Seattle. Franklin, though, spent a significant portion of his tenure in the Rays organization in the minors. He has posted a .219/.288/.371 line in parts of four seasons in the big leagues.

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Tampa Bay Rays Transactions Daniel Robertson Jumbo Diaz Mallex Smith Nick Franklin Peter Bourjos

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View Comments (33)
Post a Comment

33 Comments

  1. Brixton

    8 years ago

    “Hey, this former top prospect finally started to show some promise with an above average slash line, and has the ability to play up-the-middle positions, but before we see if he actually has a shot, let’s DFA him in favor of a guy who OPS”d .713 at AAA last year!”

    That said, I wouldn’t mind the Phillies taking a flier, as they only have one backup infielder.

    Reply
    • TheMichigan

      8 years ago

      I mean they just DFAd him, they could still trade him for something. People value average bats and versatility.

      Reply
    • CelticSentinel314

      8 years ago

      Agreed, the Phile could use someone in case of an injury to Galvis, Hernandez, or Herrera. They shouldn’t have to rush Kingery or Crawford up to fill a middle infield slot.

      Reply
      • CelticSentinel314

        8 years ago

        Phils*

        Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      8 years ago

      The problem is the inability to play shortstop. In the era of 3- and 4- man benches it’s impossible to carry a backup infielder who can’t play at short. Gotta love those 8-man bullpens!!

      Reply
  2. jdgoat

    8 years ago

    This will probably help goins clear waivers. Any team in need of infield utility players would surely rather have Franklin.

    1
    Reply
  3. tim815

    8 years ago

    All those teams desperate for (insert player here) ought to put in their best offer on Franklin, I should think. Had a good season last year, and is a valid utility guy.

    1
    Reply
    • CompanyAssassin

      8 years ago

      I need a really good closer, will he help?

      Reply
  4. A'sfaninUK

    8 years ago

    Man…Andrew Friedman would have NEVER let this happen!

    I find the tone of this piece strange too, like, this is a huge surprise, Franklin’s looked pretty good recently. He might not be a star but there’s far worse players out there with jobs (Mark Canha).

    1
    Reply
    • Brixton

      8 years ago

      I mean, they turned `1.5 years of a pitcher they had no chance to resign into what is now a top 25 prospect, a solid potential everyday outfielder, a B level pitching prospect and a 17 year old SS who hit well in rookieball.

      Reply
      • A'sfaninUK

        8 years ago

        It seems like the Rays are really going hardcore with defense (all their OFs are CFs, lol), can’t say I blame them, that works pretty often.

        Reply
      • craigmcgill

        8 years ago

        Britton, who’s “they” and what players are you talking about?

        Reply
        • craigmcgill

          8 years ago

          Sorry, Brixton. Damn auto-correct

          Reply
        • Brixton

          8 years ago

          The Rays turned David Price into Mallex Smith, Willy Adames, Carlos Vargas and Ryan Yarbrough, which isn’t bad, considering Price was gonna walk regardless.

          Reply
        • bastros88

          8 years ago

          they got Mallex Smith from Seattle for Drew Smyly

          Reply
        • jrwhite21

          8 years ago

          Whom they acquired for David Price

          Reply
        • jdgoat

          8 years ago

          They got smyly in the price trade

          Reply
        • therealryan

          8 years ago

          They also got 3.5-4 WAR from Drew Smyly along the way.

          Reply
  5. Damakibe

    8 years ago

    Would be a nice fit in KC.

    Reply
  6. docmilo5

    8 years ago

    Hey Nick, you’re DFA’d!

    Just kidding, April Fools! 😀

    Yes, good fit for many clubs. I would suggest the M’s go after the kid but they have Motter… from the Rays. I’m guessing the Yankees are in the mix.

    Reply
    • thegreatcerealfamine

      8 years ago

      You would be guessing wrong!

      Reply
  7. thebighurt619

    8 years ago

    Welp padres heres a chance. 4 years of control

    1
    Reply
    • bleacherbum

      8 years ago

      The Padres already have two second base/ third base tweeters in Schimpf and Spangenberg and neither can play SS which seems to be the issue that couldn’t keep Franklin on the roster in Tampa, so why would that be any different with the Padres?

      1
      Reply
      • davidcoonce74

        8 years ago

        You’re suggesting the Padres know what this thing called a “shortstop” is.

        Reply
  8. Zach725

    8 years ago

    Braves

    Reply
  9. tytomkiel

    8 years ago

    Padres get on it!

    1
    Reply
  10. 24TheKid

    8 years ago

    I don’t know why a team wouldn’t try and claim him.

    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      8 years ago

      Ok my comment looks pretty stupid, it made more sense in my head.

      1
      Reply
      • CompanyAssassin

        8 years ago

        Not really. He’s not great but if a team needs a versatile backup in most positions he could probably service fine.

        Reply
  11. jayceincase

    8 years ago

    Nice fit for a NL team.

    Reply
  12. jonnyj

    8 years ago

    Bourjos, garbage. Unreal he gets gigs.

    Reply
  13. daves-4

    8 years ago

    West would it take for the phils to claim this guy? An AA guy?

    Reply
  14. bravesfan88

    8 years ago

    The Braves should jump for joy at Franklin being released, and should pounce at the chance of claiming him.

    Which, that statement is more of an indictment against the Braves ridiculously awful bench, rather than the ability and tools Franklin brings to the table.

    Right now, the Braves bench consists of:

    #1 Jace Peterson – A gritty, young, and versatile super utility man who goes through stretches where he is an average MLB player, and stretches where he just isn’t that good. He is very frustrating to watch

    #2 Kurt Suzuki – Everyone knows what Suzuki brings to the table, and so far in ST his bat has looked pretty decent. He should be Dickey’s personal catcher, and have some spot starts for Flowers…He is the definition of the “meh.”

    #3 Chase d’Arnaud – He suprisingly started out pretty good last year for the Braves, then he came crashing back down to Earth…HARD!! He does not belong an any ML roster, regardless whether or not a team is rebuilding.

    #4 Emilio Bonifacio – Statistically, and in just about every way imaginable, one of the worst major league players to play last season, yet somehow, here he is again. The Braves could have signed Pagan, K. Johnson, Francouer, Franklin, Coghlan, D. Jennings, traded for Sczurz (sp?), someone, anyone but yet they honestly decide to stick with Bonifacio as their best available choice!?!….Maybe they are using him to secretly tank, idk..lol

    So yeah, Franklin would definitely be an upgrade over Bonifacio or d’Arnaud

    Reply

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