WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 26: Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) at bat during a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies, on September 26, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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After six seasons of monumental highs and devastating lows, the Phillies are expected to trade Maikel Franco this offseason. Philadelphia hasn’t had a permanent fixture at third base since trading Scott Rolen in 2002, and Franco is now another piece of the puzzle that never came together.
Philadelphia has two options when it comes to moving on from Franco this offseason: they can trade him or decline to tender him a contract. Franco is projected to earn $6.7 million, a monumental fee for a third baseman who hit .234 last season.
In our FanSided offseason mock we were very close to non-tendering Franco before we got a call from the representatives from the Detroit Tigers. The match made sense, any team looking to add Franco would likely be a rebuilding club willing to eat some money while looking for diamonds in the rough.
Phillies Get
OF Jake Robson
Tigers Get
3B Maikel Franco
Philadelphia was able to pick up the Tigers 26th overall prospect Jake Robson, a 25-year-old outfielder who hit .267 in 112 Triple-A games last year.
Robson’s best assets are his speed and defense, receiving a 65 grade for his speed from MLB Pipeline. In four minor league seasons Robson has stolen 79 bases and had three seaons hitting at least .294.
MLB Pipeline projects Robson to be a bench player, which is what the Phillies had in Franco. Robson at least gives Philadelphia depth in the outfield with Aaron Altherr and Dylan Cozens gone and Nick Williams expected to be moved at some point.
The added speed of Robson also protects Philadelphia from the injury history of Roman Quinn, who will be fighting for a major league roster spot.
It’s time to finally end the terrible tale of Franco in Philadelphia and give him an opportunity to continue growing in a low-pressure environment. It’s a win-win for Philadelphia as they clear a job at third base and add depth to their outfield.