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Pirates Sign Nick Franklin

By Jeff Todd | February 6, 2019 at 11:30am CDT

The Pirates have signed utilityman Nick Franklin to a minors pact, per a club announcement. It comes with an invitation to participate in MLB Spring Training, where Franklin will do battle with a number of other infield/utility candidates.

Franklin, a former first-round draft pick, has appeared all over the field at the MLB level, but the bulk of his time has come at second base. He has seen time in the corner outfield, at short, and at first as well (in addition to one frame a piece at third base and on the hill).

While he showed promise upon cracking the majors with the Mariners in 2013, and again ticked upward in 2016 with the Rays, Franklin has failed to establish himself at the game’s highest level. He has struggled in limited MLB action in the past two seasons with the Brewers and Angels. Through 923 total plate appearances in his six seasons in the majors, Franklin carries a .214/.285/.359 batting line with 24 home runs and 17 steals.

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Pittsburgh Pirates Transactions Nick Franklin

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Twins Sign Tim Collins, Justin Nicolino To Minor League Deals
View Comments (40)
Post a Comment

40 Comments

  1. ProBelt

    7 years ago

    WOW BLOCKBUSTER

    2
    Reply
    • Modified_6

      7 years ago

      I hate these comments… it takes 25 guys any given day, and a lot more than that throughout a year. They can’t all be #3 hitters with gold gloves and cannons for arms.

      2
      Reply
      • ottomatic

        7 years ago

        just ignore it. person is an immature moron.

        1
        Reply
  2. HarveyD82

    7 years ago

    sweeeeeeeet!!! career 214 batting average! Last place 56 wins.

    1
    Reply
    • ronnsnow

      7 years ago

      Minor league deal, will not make the team.

      Pirates are essentially the same exact team they were last year, which won 82 games, now they’ll win 56? Special kind of stupid over here.

      13
      Reply
      • HarveyD82

        7 years ago

        stupid is as stupid does :p

        2
        Reply
  3. Not Xabial

    7 years ago

    Brewers attempted to have him become a catcher in the minors last year, I’m interested to see if Pittsburgh will do the same.

    5
    Reply
  4. rusty2489

    7 years ago

    Another FORMER first round pick scavaged from the heap for the Pirates and their crappy management/ownership group.

    2
    Reply
    • TJECK109

      7 years ago

      Same management group that led them to the playoffs 3 straight years

      2
      Reply
      • Smooch the Goose Watson

        7 years ago

        I think that management group has been more known for their cost cutting then three playoff appearances.

        4
        Reply
        • storox76

          7 years ago

          Yep, especially for whiny fans.

          2
          Reply
      • panj341

        7 years ago

        the playoffs are now ancient history

        1
        Reply
      • jtkuch

        7 years ago

        That resulted in a single wild card win and nothing else. They were successful then largely because A) they were analytical pioneers of the time, including being the first major factors in shifting, and B) they got lucky on a few under the radar acquisitions like Burnett and Martin. Now the rest of the league has caught up to and surpassed them, and they’ve been trying to replicate those value plays and failing, frankly because value plays miss more often than hit. This is a fact I don’t think they realize, or just choose to ignore for profits’ sake.

        If they truly want to get back to the playoffs they need to stop being so stubborn, about both their approach to player acquisition and about spending money, and realize that this free agent market is in shambles and REAL value could be had.

        2
        Reply
        • TJECK109

          7 years ago

          Take a look at the pitchers they faced in those games. And how many other teams in the past 10 years can claim 3 straight playoff appearances?

          1
          Reply
        • Mendoza Line 215

          7 years ago

          I say Amen to that J.T.

          Reply
  5. jtkuch

    7 years ago

    Ok, this dumpster diving is getting a little ridiculous. The Pirates have zero need for a player of Franklin’s caliber, even if he hits his upside. They have a glut of unproven infielders that would come before him, and then not even any room at AAA. Please just sign Iglesias or heaven forbid Machado to a 1 year deal.

    Reply
    • ronnsnow

      7 years ago

      $5mil was too much for Jordy Mercer or Freddie Galvis, and you want them to sign Machado…lol

      5
      Reply
      • Mendoza Line 215

        7 years ago

        But they could sign Iglesias and get a first rate fielder and decent hitter.Do something.

        Reply
  6. tonyinmunhall

    7 years ago

    This ownership has amazed me all spring
    By bringing in these minor league guys when they have the money to get gig MLB
    Talent and they absolutely refuse.

    Adam Jones and Gio Gonzalez could help them
    Contend smoking some others but they will not even sw them

    Reply
    • ronnsnow

      7 years ago

      English level = poor

      3
      Reply
    • Prospectnvstr

      7 years ago

      Tony: Your typing amazes, I mean AMUSES me! Unless you live in a different country,it’s still WINTER (not spring). I’m normally not a member of the “grammar patrol”. However your misspelling, improper capitalizing & nonsensical words super lengthy 2 sentences drives me crazy.

      2
      Reply
      • storox76

        7 years ago

        You would understand if you had ever been to Munhall. LOL

        3
        Reply
        • Monkey’s Uncle

          7 years ago

          Exactly… that was pretty fluent for Munhall.

          Reply
  7. wkkortas

    7 years ago

    Statue of Liberty signing….someone has to play SS when the Bucs face Manatee JC.

    Reply
  8. buccosfan :(

    7 years ago

    At this point I think the Pirates feel that they have everything shored up at the major league level. I heartily disagree with this, but that’s the life of a Pirates fan. All of these recent minor league signings are little more than spring training depth with small shots at making the roster.

    1
    Reply
    • iladelph53

      7 years ago

      Jose Iglesias at SS makes too much sense. Hope it happens

      1
      Reply
      • Mendoza Line 215

        7 years ago

        It won’t because it makes too much sense and it forces NH to get out of his routine.
        It would not break the bank either.
        My only guess is that he and Hechavaria are waiting for Machado to sign.

        Reply
  9. panj341

    7 years ago

    Another Scott Boras 1st round pick that is a bust like Pedro A.

    Reply
  10. timewalk42

    7 years ago

    How do these type of guys keep getting contracts they have proven to not be MLB caliber players let’s give some new blood a chance

    Reply
    • baseballhobo

      7 years ago

      It’s a minor league deal. If Franklin is awful in spring training; the Pirates release him and he gets no money.

      2
      Reply
      • geejohnny

        7 years ago

        Exactly. What’s with all the front office bashing with every minor signing? Every team has several and only the smaller market teams get bashed for it. A Gonzalez or Jones could fall into their laps but I doubt it.

        4
        Reply
        • jtkuch

          7 years ago

          Because, at least for the Pirates, they’re reminders that these types of moves are all they will ever do.

          Reply
  11. diddlez

    7 years ago

    Anybody happen to know how Nick Franklink secured a million dollar salary in 2015 when he wasnt even arb eligible and had a poor performance track record?

    1
    Reply
  12. PirateDave

    7 years ago

    were saved!

    Reply
  13. PirateDave

    7 years ago

    Good afternoon Pirate fans!

    Reply
  14. bjhaas1977

    7 years ago

    This guy was a bust. He was once the prize of AAA.

    Reply
  15. grizzled sports vet

    7 years ago

    Who?

    Reply
  16. treb

    7 years ago

    This just in…Nutting has bought a fireworks and bobblehead company going out of business on the cheap….He further states the money saved will be allocated into player procurement and player acquisition…Play Ball1

    Reply
  17. Lastplace4eva

    7 years ago

    Great signing! They have to fill that huge hole left by S-Rod.

    Reply
    • Mendoza Line 215

      7 years ago

      SRod was a very fine utilityman for the Buccos in 2015 and 2016.He was Hurdle’s guy and rightly so for he truly was a Swiss Army knife.His power in 2016 got him a starting job with Atlanta and an $11 M contract.
      They could have used him in 2014 when their bench was bad.They specifically targeted him from Tampa Bay and got a good player.
      I think that he came back too soon from his bad traffic accident in the spring of 2017.He was never the same afterward and tried too hard to earn his money.
      It was a shame his Pirate career ended like it did and I do believe that they kept him as long as they could in deference to him.For that I respect the Pirates ‘organization as they showed loyalty to a loyal ballplayer.

      Reply

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