The NY Yankees could be looking at a trade or two before Opening Day, as Ichiro Suzuki has come up in rumors connecting him to the Philadelphia Phillies, while the Seattle Mariners have been scouting David Phelps and a deal for Nick Franklin could be in the works during spring training before the 2014 MLB season officially begins.
The Yankees lost Robinson Cano to the Seattle Mariners and now a second base option for the team could come from the M's, as Nick Franklin appears to be a man without a position after Cano was signed and he could be moved in a deal. The Mets have shown interest in dealing for Franklin according to ESPN.com, as he was originally a shortstop and could take over for Rueben Tejada, who is slotted in as the starter and everyone on the Mets hates that development.
Last season Franklin was brought up by the Mariners along with Brad Miller and he was put at second base, while Miller was put in the shortstop position and now the two are battling in camp to be the starter. Franklin was originally a shortstop, but he played second base last season and he would be a nice option over Brian Roberts, who has not been able to stay healthy in each of the past four seasons. The Mariners reportedly have been scouting Phelps in spring training and this comes after injuries to Taijuan Walker and Hisashi Iwakuma and that could force both to miss the start of the season in the rotation.
Hardball Talk reported that the Phillies could be a potential destination for Suzuki, as the Yankees have a glut of outfielders in Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran, Brett Gardner and Alfonso Soriano and that leave Suzuki as the odd man out. The star has said that he has no plans to retire and with the Phillies in need of outfield depth, he could be an option. Suzuki hit for a career low batting average last season and while he won't be a huge addition, it could be a move the Yankees and Phils make.
According to CBS Sports, the Yankees and Mariners could look for a deal involving David Phelps, as Seattle has been scouting the pitcher in spring training. The report says that the team saw him pitch against the Orioles last week and while he got beat up, they are looking at him as a possible emergency option for Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker, as both may not make the start of the season after being injured. Phelps was 6-5 last season and is battling Michael Pineda, Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno for the final rotation spot and with the Mariners could be an option for the 27 year old, as the M's have Nick Franklin and he could slide in as a second base option.
The Mariners like Franklin, but after signing Robinson Cano him or Brad Miller are expendable, as each can play shortstop and now there is a chance he could get traded. The Mets and Rays have shown interest and the Yanks could snag him to pair with Brian Roberts at second base this season.