MLB Rumors: Could a Braves-Mariners trade be on the horizon?

The Major League Baseball season is still young, but that doesn’t mean that teams who have glaring needs won’t start thinking about trades. With that in mind, the Atlanta Braves could address one of their big needs while providing a little roster relief to the Seattle Mariners.

Time for some possible MLB rumors? Why not.

The Mariners don’t have any room on their roster for second baseman Nick Franklin while Robinson Cano is still wearing a Seattle uniform, and the Braves are in desperate need of a second baseman other than Dan Uggla.

The Braves also have (unbelievably) an abundance of starting pitchers — too many to fit in their current rotation — something that would definitely appeal to the Mariners.

A trade between the two teams (not at all in talks right now mind you) would be beneficial for both, if the Braves sent a starter like Alex Wood or perhaps Mike Minor to the Mariners for Franklin.

The Mariners are a couple of men short in their rotation, so it would be a good opportunity for the likes of Wood or Minor to secure a spot before June or July. And the Braves have got to figure out a way to get some solid production at second base, both at the plate and in the field, as it is obvious Dan Uggla may continue to struggle for the entire season once again.

Wood is a very strong young prospect, who has shown he has the stuff to pitch at the major league level, so a one-for-one swap to get Franklin probably wouldn’t happen. The Mariners would have to sweeten the pot a little (or a lot) to get the Braves to pull the trigger on a deal like that.

But Minor has had several seasons to make his mark in Atlanta, and the combination of some inconsistent work along with injuries has raised a few questions as to his long-term prospects with the club.

Would this kind of trade make sense for both clubs? Let us know what you think.