*Photo from Kings of Kauffman*
The Baltimore Orioles have found their starting 3rd baseman. The Orioles have signed 3B Maikel Franco to a one year, $800,000 deal, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The deal also contains an extra $200,000 in bonuses, along with an additional bonus if Franco is traded. Baltimore has confirmed the deal.
Franco spent the 2020 season in the Kansas City Royals lineup, posting an average of .278 with a .778 OPS, hitting 8 homers and driving in 38 runs in 60 games played for the Royals before being non tendered in December. In his 7 major league seasons, Franco has a .252 average with a .737 OPS, hitting 110 homers and driving in 381 runs in 716 games, split between the Royals and Philadelphia Phillies.
Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said of signing Franco that "Franco's addition takes a good bit of pressure off a lot of the different hitters around our lineup. He is someone who is going to help us a lot and fit in very well with the personnel we have on this roster. I think it gives us not only an upgrade in the lineup, but makes our team deeper and protects us from what’ll be a long season."
Franco was once a highly touted prospect with the Phillies, but when he arrived in the major leagues, developed into a quality but overall inconsistent player, hitting .249 in his 6 seasons with the Phillies. After a disappointing 2019, Franco was non tendered and wound up with the Royals, where he seemingly regained his footing.
Recent Orioles signee Matt Harvey said of Franco's signing that "The guy has some serious pop and can do some damage. He definitely has an unbelievable arm and plays a good third base. He can swing it. And from the short season last year that I spent time with him, he’s a great teammate. Whatever is decided, it will be good to have some extra bats, always."
Franco joins the Orioles as their most notable acquisition of the offseason, with spring training almost over. Franco will likely form a platoon at 3rd base with Rio Ruiz, and will also likely draw some starts at DH, along with DJ Stewart and Trey Mancini.
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