MLB Player News

Mariners middle infielder Nick Franklin could be on the trading block, the Seattle Times has speculated. He lost his starting second base job upon the offseason signing of free agent Robinson Cano.

Franklin, who expressed excitement over the signing because he could learn from Cano, added that he will not play that position. He will compete with Brad Miller for the starting job at shortstop. He could also be sent to Triple-A Tacoma or traded.

His lack of productivity helped pave the way for Cano. Franklin batted just .225 last year in 369 at-bats, though he did slug 12 home runs and 20 doubles with 45 RBI.

Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa is getting time at shortstop during camp, according to The Washington Post. 

Espinosa is expected to compete for the starting job at second base, but also has experience playing shortstop. If he loses out to Anthony Rendon, Espinosa could be used as a utility infielder. His glove has typically been his biggest asset, and some scouts believe he can handle short defensively. The team could also be trying to boost his value in order to deal him.

Espinosa hit .158/.193/.272 in 158 at-bats in the majors last season.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon reiterated Wednesday the competition for the starting shortstop job is wide open between Brad Miller and Nick Franklin. McClendon made sure to convey that message to Franklin, who primarily played second base last season.

"I said, 'Look we have a Hall of Fame second baseman, that’s just the way it is," McClendon said, per The Seattle Times. "This is a new chapter in your career. One door is closing and another one is opening so it’s an opportunity for you and I’m going into this with my wide eyes open and you have the opportunity to compete for the shortstop position. I don’t have any preconceived notions."

McClendon said whoever stars defensively will likely walk away with the starting job.

"You gotta be able to catch the ball," he said."I’m looking for a guy that’s going to make all the routine plays."

Rangers manager Ron Washington provided his projected lineup/batting order for the 2014 season, according to ESPN.

Washington has penciled left fielder Shin-Soo Choo into the leadoff spot. He will be followed by shortstop Elvis Andrus, first baseman Prince Fielder, third baseman Adrian Beltre, right fielder Alex Rios, DH Mitch Moreland, catcher Geovany Soto, second baseman Jurickson Profar and center fielder Leonys Martin.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Monday infielders Nick Franklin and Brad Miller will compete for the starting job at shortstop, according to MLB.com. McClendon said he's not looking to move either player to another position.

"That's a good problem to have," McClendon said.

Nationals manager Matt Williams reiterated Sunday there is an "open competition" at second base between Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa. Williams added there is "no favorite at this point."

Williams added Espinosa will also see time at shortstop this spring, while Rendon will get some playing time at third base.

The Nationals have been discussing a potential trade for Rays catcher Jose Lobaton for a while, seriously and reportedly for more than a month, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The paper suggests the Rays could be targeting Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa, who said he's been by told by the Nationals he will compete for the starting job at second base this spring.

Second baseman Danny Espinosa has been targeted by at least a dozen teams, but the Nationals are not eager to trade him despite his disappointing 2013 season, according to MLB.com.

Anthony Rendon is ahead of Espinosa in the battle for the starting spot, but the latter will compete for it in training camp. Rendon ran with his opportunity upon the demotion of Espinosa a year ago, batting .265 with 35 RBI in 98 games while playing solid defense.

Espinosa played most of the season at Triple-A Syracuse and fanned 148 times in 471 at-bats at both levels combined. Espinosa must make more consistent contact this spring to have any chance at earning the starting job.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said infielder Danny Espinosa is going to receive a lot of playing time this spring, as Espinosa tries to earn his way onto the roster and potentially into the starting lineup at second base.

"We're going to get him a lot of reps at short, we're going to get him a lot of reps at second base. He's going to get a lot of at-bats, and get his stroke feeling good. And if he can do all those things, he's got a chance to be a really integral part of the team," Williams said, per MASNsports.com.

Williams seems to have a lot of confidence Espinosa can bounce back after being banished to the minors last season.

"I just think that there's great potential there," Williams said. "And I'm not alone. There were multiple calls, as I understand it, from teams throughout baseball about him this offseason. So I'm not the only one thinking that, or the Nationals aren't the only one thinking that.

"Now he's got to put it together and he's got to play. And he's got to play well, and he's got to be effective. So that's the objective going in."

The Yankees announced Wednesday they signed nine players to minor-league contracts, which included an invitation to spring training.

They were pitcher Bruce Billings, infielder Russ Canzler, pitcher Robert Coello, pitcher Brian Gordon, pitcher Chris Leroux, outfielder Antoan Richardson, infielder Scott Sizemore, infielder Yangervis Solarte and infielder Zelous Wheeler.