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.
“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.
I mean they just DFAd him, they could still trade him for something. People value average bats and versatility.
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.
Phils*
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!!
This will probably help goins clear waivers. Any team in need of infield utility players would surely rather have Franklin.
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.
I need a really good closer, will he help?
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).
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.
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.
Britton, who’s “they” and what players are you talking about?
Sorry, Brixton. Damn auto-correct
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.
they got Mallex Smith from Seattle for Drew Smyly
Whom they acquired for David Price
They got smyly in the price trade
They also got 3.5-4 WAR from Drew Smyly along the way.
Would be a nice fit in KC.
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.
You would be guessing wrong!
Welp padres heres a chance. 4 years of control
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?
You’re suggesting the Padres know what this thing called a “shortstop” is.
Braves
Padres get on it!
I don’t know why a team wouldn’t try and claim him.
Ok my comment looks pretty stupid, it made more sense in my head.
Not really. He’s not great but if a team needs a versatile backup in most positions he could probably service fine.
Nice fit for a NL team.
Bourjos, garbage. Unreal he gets gigs.
West would it take for the phils to claim this guy? An AA guy?
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