Former Phillies news: Nationals release Maikel Franco
The Washington Nationals released former Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco Friday, leaving both his short and long-term MLB future in doubt.
Unfortunately, the move came on Franco’s 30th birthday, as he was jettisoned to open a roster spot for second baseman Luis García, who the team reinstated from the injured list.
Franco had slashed just .229/.255/.342 with nine home runs, 39 RBIs, a .597 OPS and an unsightly -0.8 fWAR. At 42-84, the only thing that the Nationals have to gain the rest of the season is figuring out what young players in their organization could be contributors the next time the franchise is ready to contend. Franco made the Nationals out of Spring Training after signing a minor-league deal in December, but ultimately he didn’t have any long-term future with the franchise.
It’s the second consecutive year that Franco was released in late August, as the Baltimore Orioles did the same thing to the third baseman a season ago. Franco joined the Atlanta Braves organization for the final few weeks of the 2021 season, but was never called up to the majors.
Once thought to be a future cornerstone piece for the Phillies, Franco slashed .249/.302/.431 with 102 home runs, 343 RBIs and a .733 OPS in parts of six seasons with the franchise. With Alec Bohm on the horizon, the Phillies decided to non-tender Franco following a disappointing 2019 campaign.
Since being non-tendered by the Phillies, Franco has played for the Kansas City Royals, Orioles and Nationals. Over that period, he’s posted just a .644 OPS.
As the Phillies come down the stretch, it wouldn’t hurt for them to add a right-handed bat that could come off the bench and change the season with one swing. At this juncture, though, Franco doesn’t appear to be that guy. Perhaps they’ll have interest in Jesús Aguilar, who was designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins Friday
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