Kansas City Royals: Impact Maikel Franco will have on 2020 lineup

By Travis Neely | Dec 20, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 12: Philadelphia Phillies Infield Maikel Franco (7) throws to first in the fifth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on September 12, 2019 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Kansas City Royals have signed third basemen Maikel Franco to a one-year deal worth $3 million. Let’s take a look at the new everyday third baseman and see what impact it will have on the lineup going into 2020.

Maikel Franco comes to the Kansas City Royals after spending all six of his major league seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. In his six seasons with the Phillies, he has hit a modest .249, but has blasted 102 homers to include a career high of 25 in 2016. Last season Franco produced the following line .234 BA/ 17 HR/ 56 RBI in 123 games played.

The Royals made the move after passing on the opportunity to bring back former Royal Mike Moustakas after he signed a longer and richer deal with the Reds earlier this month.

So what does this mean for the Royals moving forward into the 2020 season?

The 27 year old will enable the Royals’ options with Hunter Dozier.

Anticipate the Royals starting the season with Ryan McBroom or Ryan O’Hearn starting at first and Nicky Lopez at second. Hunter Dozier will be shifted into right field with Whit Merrifield in center on a regular basis early in the season, per Jeffrey Flanagan.

On the outside of this deal, it appears the Royals took low risk at a bargain price at $3 million.

This is true, but the Royals now have way too many bats on the right side of the plate making them extremely vulnerable to all right-handed pitching in the AL.

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The only two left-handed bats the Royals would have in the lineup to start the season would be O’Hearn, who seemed to struggle last season and Nicky Lopez. Adelberto Mondesi will provide the Royals with their lone switch hitter.

Without a true dependable left-handed bat in the lineup, the Royals might have to rely on finding a DH or a position player to hit on the left side of the plate. That would use their 26th player on the roster instead of the anticipated relief pitcher we all believe will fill that particular role.

If Franco can reach his projected 25 homers (if playing in 162 games), this will be a perfect bargain player to fill an immediate need during a rebuild. That will provide the Royals with additional power going into the season.

In the event where the Royals struggle again going into the trade deadline, Franco could provide the Royals with the same sort of options they had with Mike Moustakas after he signed his one year $5.5 million contract. Franco could be moved in return for a younger player to fill another team’s need.

Although Josh Donaldson and higher profile third basemen exist, it is not surprising that Dayton Moore opted for the bargain he received in return for Franco. It also now raises the eyebrows and makes us all wonder what the real odds are that we will be seeing a return of Alex Gordon in a Kansas City Royals uniform.

But with a lineup that is lacking from the left side, it appears a bit more likely that they might be able to land him on just about the same sort of contract they got Franco on.

It’ll be interesting to see in what other ways the signing of Maikel Franco impacts the Royals moving forward.

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