| By Jason A. Churchill |  | By 06-22-2011 |
The Seattle Mariners have promoted SS Nick Franklin to Double-A Jackson and 2B Kyle Seager to Triple-A Tacoma Wednesday.
Have fun with this one.
The M's feel Franklin will respond well to the challenge of the promotion, and Seager was clearly ready for the move.
Watch out for Seager as a third base option for the short term later this summer. He can play there, and is as good as Ackley or better at second.
UPDATE: I don't know what the club's exact plan is for Franklin and Triunfel in Jackson, but something has to give and it shouldn't be Franklin's future at the shortstop position. He'll surely play second with Seager in Tacoma now, but Triunfel should move off shortstop, at least primarily.
While he often displays the range to play the position, there are still far too many throwing errors and fundamental mistakes to keep him at short over Franklin.
I'd split Franklin's time 70-30; 70 percent at shortstop. Triunfel, I'd move him to third base, with some time at second as well.
franklin,-seager-promoted
Comments
The following 55 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: DAMellen on 06-22-2011 22:47:50 Wow, Franklin's numbers (especially his road numbers) give the impression that he wasn't exactly beating down AA's door, but I guess the organization knows better than me. Good to see Seager moving up. What kinda player you think he'll end up being? I'm saying average to slightly above average second or third baseman, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him become more of a good utility guy than a regular player. Anybody know where Michael Saunders is? He's not listed on Tacoma's roster. I'm guessing that means he's hurt. |
| 2. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-22-2011 23:04:50 Saunders is on the inactive list and according to Jay Yencich "well, the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup, so..." |
| 3. By: dawgncarolina on 06-22-2011 23:06:02 So is Franklin moving up to play second? Or third? Or is Triunfel getting moved? I would have expected Franklin's promotion to be tied to Triunfel's if anybodies. Will be interesting to see how things play out. |
| 4. By: baseballman on 06-22-2011 23:10:10 I'm with dawg, who plays at short with both Franklin and Triunfel on the same team? I too can't wait to see this play out. |
| 5. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-22-2011 23:15:31 More on that later, fellas, but I'm betting Franklin plays some second, more than he did in HD, but Triunfel could also see time at second and third. No reason to give up on Franklin at SS. There ARE reasons to move Triunfel. |
| 6. By: TroyD on 06-22-2011 23:22:48 If Franklin is adequate at AA do you see him going to Tacoma next year. Also has your ETA for Franklin changed. Any word on Paxton possibly being moved up and if he does; do you think he skips High Desert to Jackson? Thanks Jason you do unbelievable work. |
| 7. By: 01v-dubs on 06-22-2011 23:38:26 I've been willing to give Figgens the benefit of the doubt until his last AB tonight, what a worthless piece of $#%#. My point is if Seager can prove himself quickly in Tacoma I'd be all for him replacing Figgens. While he may not have the pop looked for at third, he might prove to be valuable because I'm not sure if Kennedy can hold up for the entire season. Franklins promotion seems very aggressive, hopefully he can hold his own. I find this interesting because they decided to promote Franklin but not Paxton, who seems clearly ready and is old for A ball. |
| 8. By: rjfrik on 06-22-2011 23:49:37 Franklin really? Wow. wow. |
| 9. By: AntsInIn on 06-22-2011 23:51:14 Could either of these moves be showcase moves, hoping to move one of them in a trade in the next month? |
| 10. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-23-2011 01:11:54 First off, it's Figgins, not Figgens. He's been in the big leagues for 7 years, in pro ball for 10 and in Seattle for a year and a half. Time to stop misspelling it. TroyD, Yes. Franklin likely sees Tacoma in 2012, although not necessarily right out of the gate. 01v-dubs, Like I have said fifty times here and on twitter and said several times on the air, Paxton needs innngs, not a challenge. He didn't pitch but a few fragile innings between May, 2009 and February 2011. That is a long frickin' time. He'll see a promotion at some point somewhat soon, but the only thing that can HURT him this year is by being too aggressive with the competition and workload and asking too much of him. Keeping him in A ball all year doesn't move his ETA back. He could stay in Clinton until they shut him down and still start 2012 in Jackson with a chance at the bigs by the end of the year. Pushing him up right now doesn't push that forward any. ZERO. AntsInIn, No. Not at all. Not that one or both couldn't be traded, but they don't base promotions of quality players on showcasing them for trade. For one, it won't help if the player doesn't perform, so there is more risk than there than reward, because what are the chances either player hits .350 for the next five weeks? Not good at all, probably zero. |
| 11. By: micahjr on 06-23-2011 04:57:49 I'm not sure that Triunfel won't be getting a promotion soon. It's not like Kazmar is a prospect of any sort. Any odds on Triunfel not being long for Jackson? |
| 12. By: 11records on 06-23-2011 05:25:16 Thanks for the perspective on Paxton. I was also wondering if they'd move him up post A.S. Game, but I definitely see your point. I guess the only reason to push him would be if they felt that he could legitimately boost the big league club in Sept/Oct, like a lefty version of K Rod for the Angels in 2002. Otherwise they can just try to get 120 innings out of him this year, then move him up the ladder next year. |
| 13. By: John_S on 06-23-2011 08:11:59 Pure speculation on my part, but could we be seeing a trade in the future with Triunfel as part of the package? It would seem to me if that Franklin is a candidate to move up to Clinton based on his hitting peripherals, Triunfel should be right there with him to move to Tacoma. As someone pointed out earlier Franklin's away numbers are pretty disconcerting so the move is really a surprise. |
| 14. By: safecochatter on 06-23-2011 08:53:12 what a perfect time to move Triunfel to 3rd base. he needs it and the org needs it. Scouting Book.com has Triunfel as the 4th best 3rd base prospect.doesn't mean he's that good,it means 3rd base prospects are that thin. Jackson Generals are back tonight after a 3 day as break. guess we'll start to get a peek as to what the m's are thinking. |
| 15. By: Jimabbottsrighthand on 06-23-2011 10:28:13 Does this move have more to do with getting Franklin out of High Desert? Was he developing some bad tendencies there? |
| 16. By: Jimabbottsrighthand on 06-23-2011 10:34:11 Does this move have more to do with getting Franklin out of High Desert? Was he developing some bad tendencies there? |
| 17. By: 01v-dubs on 06-23-2011 11:05:29 Jason, good perspective on Paxton, I hadn't thought about that. I guess I was being a bit irrational. I have an OT question Jason, but has your opinion changed on Halman since he's been promoted? The last time I saw him was in the AFL and he swung at everything, at least now he seems to have developed some semblance of patience, and his pitch selection while not great seems to be coming along a little bit. |
| 18. By: Edman on 06-23-2011 14:29:14 I don't know where this minor league promotion as part of a trade speculation comes from? First of all, why do people need to try to read something in every move? They move them for developmental reasons. Moving a player up from high A to AA for a couple of weeks doesn't make them more appealing, and can work against you if they struggle. Chances are, they have scouting reports for propects of every organization that could be important trade pieces. And, those reports aren't going to be dramatically influenced for a months worth of activity at another level. Other teams, just like Seattle does, scouts other organizations. And it is highly unlikely that any organization is going to dress up it's prospects with a level change, that wouldn't already have been in design. And as far as Triunfel is concerned, way back when he was brought into the organization, it was discussed that a shift on the infield was possible. I've felt that ultimately, he'd end up at thirdbase. I've never really thought of him as a major league shortstop. It's not like he's another Ryan or Jack Wilson defensively. |
| 19. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-23-2011 14:47:56 What Edman said in his first sentence in comment No. 18 is dead on. Promotions have ZERO to do with future trades. There is no pending deal, so how could the club do that even if they wanted to? |
| 20. By: John_S on 06-23-2011 17:52:23 Im trying to figure out who said that the Franklin move is to trade Franklin. |
| 21. By: Edman on 06-23-2011 18:23:16 John S, unless I missed something, your post was the first to suggest a Franklin trade. |
| 22. By: John_S on 06-23-2011 19:16:21 No Edman I was speaking about Triunfel. |
| 23. By: Edman on 06-23-2011 19:42:05 Your post #20 was the post I was referring to. In other words, nobody mentioned trading Franklin, until that post. However, others in the past have made comments like that, of which I was referring to as a general comment. As to your post #13, I have never seen a GM move a player up or down at any level, for any reason, until after a trade or preceeding transaction is complete. The reason they don't is because they do not want to tip their hand in any way. Logically, if there was a deal for Triunfel, there is no value in moving Franklin until it is completed. It's not like they couldn't wait a day for Franklin to arrive in Jackson once Carlos is traded. |
| 24. By: John_S on 06-23-2011 19:47:54 Ok Edman I'll roll with that. You dont have to say you're wrong. |
| 25. By: dawgncarolina on 06-23-2011 20:39:17 Gui Pimentel 3-4 so far today at Pulaski with a 2B and a HR. |
| 26. By: DRWheelock on 06-23-2011 21:27:24 Jason - Can I ask a question here on Figgins? Is it acceptable and allowable for Seattle to send Figgins down to AAA until he gets his game back and confidence back and bring up Liddi to work with Kennedy at 3B?! Is there some policy that a Major league team can't outright a highly paid position player back to AAA?! |
| 27. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-23-2011 21:30:08 Because he has 5+ years of experience, Figgins cannot be sent down to the minors without his consent. It doesn't matter if he used up his three options year or not. |
| 28. By: DRWheelock on 06-23-2011 21:37:22 I knew there was some kind of rule like that. Thanks for the clarification. How about Seattle put him on the DL, afterwards send him to the minors for a rehab stint, and then just not call him up?! :0 |
| 29. By: DRWheelock on 06-23-2011 21:39:03 I remember vividly at Figgins signing as he boasted Seattle would have the best 1 2 combo in MLB. ha |
| 30. By: DRWheelock on 06-23-2011 21:42:33 I guess we just have to boooo even louder until he begs us to go down?! |
| 31. By: tridenttrue on 06-23-2011 22:03:47 I know fans are frustrated with the struggles of Figgins and I for one was not in favor of the move when they signed him....But, I don't get the point of booing the guy just for the fact that he is struggling...if he was disrespecting the game somehow then I'm all about letting a guy have it. But it accomplishes nothing but heaping more on a guy that is having a rough time right now |
| 32. By: Buhner on 06-23-2011 22:11:58 Jason, Has Beavan increased his velocity at all? |
| 33. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-23-2011 22:30:04 Buhner, Not that I have seen. Still 88-92. Lots of 89-90. tridenttrue, Good point, and Figgins, by all accounts, is answering to the media and putting in the work. he hasn't dodged questions from the media and there has been no reports of any kind that he's being a bad teammate during his struggles. He's a Seattle Mariners baseball player. Mariners fan should cheer him. It's not his fault he keeps being used in the starting lineup. |
| 34. By: FelixElRey on 06-23-2011 22:52:05 What was with Pineda's velo today? I think he touched 95 once. Doesn't Marquis usually sit around 90 just like the gun said today? I was hoping to chalk it up to an errant stadium gun. Should be interesting if it's back up next start or if he's hurting. On the other hand, it was awesome to see him still mowing people down with "pedestrian" low 90s fastballs. |
| 35. By: Adam P. Boyd on 06-23-2011 23:04:21 He touched 95+ 10 times, per gameday. He is fine. |
| 36. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-24-2011 00:12:14 Pineda's velo was down a bit in his final innings and he's clearly holding back at times early in games, but he's fine. |
| 37. By: jharrell3 on 06-24-2011 02:16:29 uhhhh..."holding back" in the mid 90s!. Good god!!!.. I believe you, but damn!... Who are his player comparables that hold back early in a game by throwing mid 90's, have command of the zone (pound the zone w/heaters), statistically dominate... With mostly averagish secondary stuff? ... how much better can he get?! Hands down best rookie pitcher in Ms history. |
| 38. By: jharrell3 on 06-24-2011 02:26:51 Ok so maybe Pineda was holding back by throwing 90ish instead of mid 90's but still... Who are his comps... I would think he's tough to place considering his control, size, lack of refined secondary stuff, and velocity. |
| 39. By: bb4ever on 06-24-2011 05:31:25 Franklin's AA Debut: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/affiliates/index.jsp?c_id=sea Seager's AAA Debut: http://tacoma.rainiers.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t529&t=g_box&gid=2011_06_23_cspaaa_tacaaa_1 |
| 40. By: maqman on 06-24-2011 09:26:30 Franklin went 2/4 at SS, Triunfel was 1/3 at 2B and Tenbrink 2/4 at 3B - they still lost 3-5. Seagar was 2/4 at 2B for Tacoma, who beat Colorado Springs 4-2. |
| 41. By: FWBrodie on 06-24-2011 12:00:41 Re: Pineda Jen Meuller reported that Pineda basically throws only half a warmup before his starts (18 pitches or so). I don't know if that is his thing or if it's part of a plan to preserve his arm, but it begs the question: is Pineda actually using the first inning to finish his warmup? That could partly explain the low velocity early. |
| 42. By: Jerry on 06-24-2011 12:06:48 While I didn't think the M's had it in them, I'm pleasantly surprised that they are hanging on in the division. They clearly need help on offense. But I'd still hope that they avoid going for a rental player. Someone who could help in 2012 and beyond would be ideal. So....what do you think it would take to get David Wright? The M's have a huge hole at 3B. Wright is an asset on offense and defense, and is by all accounts a great clubhouse guy. And he's signed for the next two seasons. If the M's are going to go all in, this is the player I'd love to see them pick up. How much better is this lineup: Ichiro RF Ackley 2B Wright 3B Smoak 1B Olivo C Carp DH Halman/Peguero LF Gutierrez CF Ryan SS |
| 43. By: Marco on 06-24-2011 16:22:44 JAC, now in Tacoma we have Kazmar, Rodriguez, Seager, Liddi and Mangini for three INF positions. How do you think that's going to evolve ? Also, in your opinion why they're now playing Liddi quite often at SS ? |
| 44. By: rjfrik on 06-24-2011 22:38:25 Im going to date myself with this statement. But does anyone remember Ken Griffey JR baseball for sega? The Mariners were the premiere team on that game, hell the game was made after the team. The game was awesome and what was even better was the lineup. It was all guys that could hit the baseball. Guys that could slug homeruns, get base hits and walk. It was an offensive juggernaut of a team and it was fantastic. Cora, Martinez, Griffey, Buhner, Martinez, Rodriguez they all mashed. The Mariners I knew and grew up on could hit and hit the baseball hard. Hell they hit even into my 20's with the 2000 teams, this is a franchise that can hit the baseball. What the fuck happened? Seriously. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of having below league average hitters at 5 of the 8 positions in the field. This is ridiculous. When did the Mariners turn to this pathetic offense as the go to for their offensive production. How may years in a row have we led the league with the worst offense in the league? 4? 5? 6? 7? I'm tired. Just tired and I bet that I converse the same sediment of the majority of M's fans out there. We are tired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 45. By: short on 06-25-2011 02:07:35 My take on Paxton is that they will take it slow with him this season because of his limited workload recently, but that he could move to AAA at the start of next season, and be called up briefly next year if everything goes well. He looks like a mature prospect that just needs to get himself back in shape, assuming he is who they think he is. We could theoretically be looking at adding Hultzen and Paxton to start 2013. Sexy. Now what do we do for left field and third base? |
| 46. By: sexymarinersfan on 06-25-2011 05:46:04 rjfrik, the best lineup on that game was Cleveland's with Kenny Lofton, Roberto Alomar, Carlos Baerga, Albert "Joey" Belle, Paul Sorrento, Eddie Murray, Sandy Alomar, Jim Thome, and I believe Felix Fermin, I think I'm wrong about the SS. Toronto and Atlanta had solid lineups. But my favorite player in the entire game was a pitcher on the Dodgers. I can't remember what his name was, but he had something like "5" speed with "10" movement and "10" stamina, I could strikeout 24-27 batters every game with that guy by simply throwing changeups that broke like exploding sliders off the plate! It was truly an awesome game. I never could break 10 K's with Randy no matter how many times I tried. |
| 47. By: Rudolf on 06-25-2011 10:00:53 The Mariners built a pitchers' park, retired some great hitters, lost access to PEDS, traded some prospects, failed to draft impact bats, failed to lure free-agent bats to said park and struggling team, wasted free-agent dollars on scrubs, etc.. You know what happened, rifrik. If you look at the history of the team, how many great hitters have we had? Griffey. Martinez. Buhner (kinda). A-Rod. Ichiro. An inflated Boone for a moment. Alvin Davis? Not very many. We had a moment in time with some special sluggers that lasted, what, eight years? I don't consider the M's an offensive team. |
| 48. By: safecochatter on 06-25-2011 11:31:51 yesterday's Geoff Baker's article was spot on.if you missed it,go over to the times and read it. time for Jack to get a hitter or two. losing games with great starting pitching night after night is getting old. those three loses in dc are totally unacceptable. |
| 49. By: Lombardie360 on 06-25-2011 11:48:48 I hated that article. Seemed to me he wants to make a trade just to make one. Obviously a trade would be made if it were out there and worth it. I prefer the approach that is working well at the moment. Steady and smart. I almost got sick reading that article knowing it would spur more posts around the web of "GO GET PRINCE FIELDER NOW!" or other equally insane proposals. |
| 50. By: dawgncarolina on 06-25-2011 12:24:54 49 - totally agree. I thought Baker's article was ridiculous. But then, that's nothing new. |
| 51. By: maqman on 06-25-2011 12:43:51 Amen Lombardie360! |
| 52. By: Mackie on 06-25-2011 12:59:19 49 - I agree as well. Making a trade simply to make a trade or out of panic sounds more like something Woody Woodward or Bill Bavasi would have done, and I like to think the franchise is past that kind of M.O. I am glad Jack Zduriencik is the GM, and not Geoff Baker. 8-) I do think the M's ought to be looking at whatever small ways they can to boost offensive production for the next month or so. There was talk of interest in Ryan Ludwick, which hardly sounds exciting until one considers Ludwick's stats suggest he would be the second best hitter on the Mariners' team. Moves like that can make a difference. It would not necessarily not take landing a "superstar" or "big bats" to improve the Seattle offense. Getting people who could at least hit for the major league average at 3B, LF and DH would probably be enough to keep the team competitive and maybe propel it higher in the division this season. Make a couple such deals now (ones in which Seattle wouldn't have to sacrifice any of its better prospects) and then see where the team is by the end of July. If the team is in first place or within a few games of first, then some more-serious decisions might have to be made. For now, the team is competitive. I hope Z can do a thing or two to keep them competitive until the trading deadline. I have a hunch nobody will really know whether it's time to buy or sell until a month from now, but maybe it would be a good idea to strengthen the team between now and then. |
| 53. By: TroyD on 06-25-2011 14:19:40 Nice to see that the promotions are working out so far. Seager was 3 for 3 with a walk anr scored and one batted in from the 2 spot. Franklin had a couple hits and scored a run and hasnt comitted an error yet! |
| 54. By: Rickv25 on 06-25-2011 15:21:48 Jason, Is there any chance the M's could get out of the Cal League? Or at least High Desert? Just curious. Thanks |
| 55. By: Waldo on 06-28-2011 14:44:05 Anything in regards to the scouts @ Safeco for the last couple of series. Red Sox & Rays scout? |
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