A's targeting trade for Mariners' Nick Franklin

In today's Athletics trade rumors and news update, the Oakland Athletics have placed Seattle Mariners second baseman/shortstop Nick Franklin at the top of their wishlist going into the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, "Nick Franklin, pushed out of a big-league job when the Mariners signed Robinson Cano, is a top target, but the question will be whether Seattle - currently in a playoff spot - would want to strengthen a division rival, and whether the A's, fresh off trading top prospects Addison Russell and Billy McKinney, would have enough in the cupboard to land him."

Per Slusser, after the Samardzija/Hammel trade, the A's might not have what it takes organizationally to land a top-tier trade target at second base such as Tampa's Ben Zobrist.

There's also the slim chance of making a run at Philadelphia's perennial All-Star, Chase Utley. However, Utley has the power to turn down any potential deal and told the Chronicle at the All-Star Game that he hadn't even considered Oakland as a possible destination in a hypothetical trade scenario.

Therefore, targeting a displaced starter such as Franklin could be the smartest course for the A's, provided that the M's are willing to play ball with the AL West leaders.

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