Maikel Franco drawing interest from Phillies division rival

Several former Philadelphia Phillies are making their way into the New York Mets organization.

Reliever Aaron Loup, and once Phillies-prospects Trevor May and Carlos Carrasco, Sam McWilliams, and Jonathan Villar are all on the division-rival’s active roster. Not to mention, right-handers Jerad Eickhoff and Tommy Hunter, as well as former Phillies southpaw prospect Tom Windle, are also vying for spots on the team as non-roster invitees this spring.

Another could soon be joining the mix. According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Mets have interest in former Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Franco’s decision is “expected in the next day or two.”

Former Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco could soon return to the NL East.

After six seasons while donning red pinstripes from 2014-19, the third baseman thrived while playing in all 60 games this past season with the Kansas City Royals — slashing .278/.321/.457 with 16 doubles, eight home runs, and 38 RBI. Despite the successful year, the Royals non-tendered Franco in early December, making him a free-agent.

Heyman recently reported that the free-agent market for the 28-year-old is beginning to “heat up,” with the Baltimore Orioles among the teams reportedly interested in him. The Mets now join that mix. Franco is a .252/.317/.472 career hitter at Citi Field, slugging four doubles and eight home runs, along with 24 RBI, across 34 games and 139 plate appearances at the venue.

Three former Phillies players were named to the coaching staff of the Mets Low-A affiliate on Monday — once-infielders Reid Brignac (manager) and Tommy Joseph (hitting coach), as well as former starting pitcher Jerome Williams (pitching coach). Not to mention, Brian Schneider — who caught 122 games in red pinstripes from 2010 to 2012 — is their major-league field coordinator and catching coach.

It just seems like the Mets are added several former Phils, left and right, to their organization — whether it be as players or coaches. Franco could be the next to do so.