Will Maikel Franco return to the Phillies in 2018?
By Matthew C
Third baseman Maikel Franco is battling for a spot to remain the Phillies starting third baseman, which he has been the majority of the 2017 season.
There have been many questions circulating about Maikel Franco’s future with the Phillies since prospect J.P. Crawford has been called up. Instead of playing shortstop, his primary position, Crawford played third, which gives Franco the day off.
He is battling for a spot to remain the starting third baseman, which he has been the majority of the 2017 season. However, he has been struggling a lot.
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This season, Franco is batting .223 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI. In the last seven days, he is 5-for-26 with three doubles. He has started 129 games this season.
A possibility is that he can remain with the team until spring training and he can earn his spot back as everyday third baseman, and another possibility is he could be traded.
Either way, I don’t see him making the opening day roster in the 2018 season. If he does, it’s likely he’ll be a platoon.
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Based on the way shortstop Freddy Galvis has been playing, it’s unlikely Crawford will be chosen over him as the everyday player for next season. So, because of that, it would make sense for him to start at third.
Franco’s contract will expire next season, but however, the earliest he will be a free agent will be 2022. He is arbitration eligible thru 2018-2021.
He was rumored to be “more than available” before the trade deadline. But, obviously, he hasn’t been traded yet and it’s very unlikely he will be traded, but it’s a possibility.
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A Franco trade is unlikely, but it is a possible solution to figure out who will be the starting third baseman for the 2018 season. More than likely, depending on how Crawford handles himself in the majors, it’s going to be him.