New York Mets talking trade for Nick Franklin

The New York Mets still don’t know what they want to do at the shortstop position.

Prospect Ruben Tejada is theoretically the incumbent; the Mets have insisted all off-season that they are happy with him as their guy despite persistent rumors linking them to free agent Stephen Drew. Like, the most persistent rumors you can imagine. Everybody but the Mets, including Scott Boras, has had Drew signing in New York at some point.

That still hasn’t happened, but now there is a new rumor linking another shortstop to the Mets.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork reports that the team is engaged with the Seattle Mariners about a possible trade for the displaced Nick Franklin:

"The source said there had been dialogue with Mariners officials as far back as the winter meetings. The talk is expected to pick up in the next month with Seattle having an excess infielder and the Mets having the type of young pitching Seattle desires to obtain in a swap.”"

Franklin was playing second base for the Mariners but was displaced by the signing of Robinson Cano. Rubin notes that the Mets would have to determine if they believe Franklin can handle shortstop full time and how much they would be willing to give up for him. Franklin struggled as a rookie, posting a .225/.303/.382 slash line in 102 games. But at age 23, he is still a top prospect and the Mets might end up looking wise if they land him.