Report: Phillies' Franco 'more than available' in trade talks

The Philadelphia Phillies don't seem keen to hold on to Maikel Franco much longer.

Once rated the team's top prospect prior to his 2014 big-league debut, it appears the Phillies are willing to part with Franco before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline as the club has reportedly made the young slugger "more than available" in talks, according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo.

Franco has struggled to replicate his offensive prowess seen in his 2015 rookie season in which the third baseman slashed .280/.343/.497 with 14 home runs in 80 games. This season, Franco is batting just .221/.280/.365 in 69 contests and his .645 OPS ranks as the 11th-worst mark in the majors among qualified hitters, according to Fangraphs.

The 24-year-old is making $560,000 in 2017 and is under team control through the 2021 season.