Rumors started to emerge yesterday that the Mariners will try to move one of their middle infielders, probably Nick Franklin, the 22 year old shortstop, before the end of Spring. The Mets and Mariners were possible trade partners earlier this winter when they were looking for a first basemen. Since then, they added several players that can play that position, so that is not a need or want in a trade anymore. The Mariners are looking for young pitching, something the Mets have a lot of.
The debate on Metsblog yesterday is what that young pitching looks like. Is it deGrom type of player? Vic Black? (That’s what Cerrone thinks). Franklin is not worth Vic Black, who has an important role on this team this year.
First, is Franklin worth acquiring? The best projection metric to use here is Oliver, that automatically gives each player 600 AB’s. Franklin is projected to have a .244 BA, and improvement of last year’s .225 BA (Steamer has him at .240 in 2014) and a .329 OBP. It also projects him to have some pop, 17 homers in 600 PA (Steamer 8 in 326). This is based on the pop he showed last year hitting 12 in 420 AB’s.
My first reaction is that Franklin is not worth deGrom, in that this is not the time for the Mets to give up young pitching for marginally better pieces. I still think that’s my opinion, although I admit Franklin is intriguing. I rather the Mets not make a trade until they are ready to bundle prospects together to bring in a proven, significant piece (like when they traded for Carlos Delgado years ago).
I wouldn’t be upset if the Mets acquire Franklin at a reasonable price, however I imagine it will be difficult to make that price reasonable.
