One of the going themes of Yankees rumors during Spring Training has been worries over a perceived weakness up the middle of the infield from a depth chart perspective.
If this upcoming rumor proves true, then the New York Yankees could possibly have an answer ready for their critics.
According to the New York Post, the Yankees weren't the only team scouting pitcher David Phelps last week in the Grapefruit League. The Seattle Mariners also had scouts on the premises to watch the 27-year old righthander work, mulling the possibility of acquiring Phelps from the Yankees for second baseman Nick Franklin.
The Seattle Mariners' biggest acquisition of the offseason, former New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, has been vocal about his desire to see the Mariners acquire both pitcher Ervin Santana and infielder/DH Kendrys Morales.
Since neither of those moves have taken legs quite yet, moving either Nick Franklin or shortstop Brad Miller to the Yankees for David Phelps could be seen as an attempt to temporarily placate their new star.
In his first year in the Majors, Nick Franklin appeared in 102 games for the Seattle Mariners last season. He hit .225 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs.
If the Yankees are serious about acquiring Franklin, the biggest number of concern will be 12--the number of errors Nick Franklin committed at second base last season (2nd worst in the American League.)