Royals Reportedly Signing Former Phillies Top Prospect Maikel Franco
By Thomas Carannante
The Kansas City Royals are bargain hunting during the holiday season.
After he was non-tendered by the Philadelphia Phillies, former top prospect and disappointing MLB talent Maikel Franco has reportedly landed in KC.
Maikel to Royals. 3M. Plus 1M incentives.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 19, 2019
Franco was a highly-touted player in the Phillies system and was viewed as the team's third baseman of the future, but he didn't live up to expectations when he reached the bigs. He slashed just .249/.302/.431 with 279 runs scored, 102 home runs and 343 RBI in 656 games over six seasons with the Phils, a remarkable number of years to never find a rhythm. It all came to a head when he was DFA'ed in 2019 for being unable to produce in a lineup that featured Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, JT Realmuto and Jean Segura.
But a change of scenery could help the 27-year-old. The Royals are already expected to make him the team's everyday third baseman.
Third baseman Maikel Franco and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a one-year, $3 million deal, sources tell ESPN. He is expected to be the everyday third baseman. My man @JesseSanchezMLB had Franco to Royals first.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 19, 2019
If he can add some pop to the Royals lineup, KC will have a formidable top half of the order with Whit Merrifield, Raul Mondesi Jr. and Hunter Dozier.