Infielders Maikel Franco and Freddy Galvis — former rising young Philadelphia Phillies who played four seasons together in red pinstripes from 2014-17 — will once again be teammates as members of the Baltimore Orioles.
Former Phillies infielders Maikel Franco and Freddy Galvis reunite as Orioles.
Franco signed is expected to sign a one-year, major-league deal with the Orioles, according to The Athletic’s Dan Connolly, keeping the 28-year-old in the American League after slashing .278/.321/.457 with 16 doubles, eight home runs, and 38 RBI across all 60 games last season with the Kansas City Royals. Franco drew interest from several other teams this offseason, including two Phillies division rivals in the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets.
Back in late January, Galvis similarly joined the Orioles through free agency by signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract that includes a $250,000 bonus if he is traded. The 31-year-old has played for three different teams since his 2012-17 Phillies tenure. Among those include the San Diego Padres (2018), where he was dealt for once-top 30-ranked prospect Enyel De Los Santos, the Toronto Blue Jays (2019), and Cincinnati Reds (2019-20).
Last season — as teammates with new Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham and reliever Archie Bradley — Galvis slashed just .220/.308/.404 with five doubles, seven home runs, and 16 RBI spanning 47 games. The Venezuela native was versatile in playing both second base and shortstop for the Reds, committing only three errors overall spanning 131 chances.
Galvis projects to be the starting Orioles shortstop, while Franco is expected to assume a platoon role at the hot corner with the left-handed hitting Rio Ruiz. The duo put up decent numbers during their time spent with the Phillies. Through six seasons (2012-17), Galvis slashed .245/.287/.372 with 92 doubles, 20 triples, 52 home runs, and 233 RBI. Franco also played six seasons with the Phillies (2014-19), slashing .249/.302/.431 with 110 doubles, four triples, 102 home runs, and 343 RBI.
The Phils will host Franco, Galvis and the Orioles for a three-game series, September 20-22.