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          MLB Rumor Central

          Rumor Central: Franklin Barreto a center-field option in Oakland?

          Franklin Barreto, right, was called up in September after hitting .290 at Triple-A Nashville. AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
          • ESPN.com
          Sep 22, 2017, 01:37 PM

          The Oakland Athletics might consider top prospect Franklin Barreto as an option in center field next season.

          Rumor Central

          Joe Stiglich of the CSNBayArea.com reports Barreto, a middle infielder who was part of the their September call-ups, “might eventually get a look in center.” A future role in center field would be linked to whether the A’s decide to pick up the $6 million option on Jed Lowrie to keep him as the primary second baseman next season.

          Stiglich says the competition in center field will be one of the more interesting storylines in camp next spring. The field will include Dustin Fowler, one of the prospects acquired from the Yankees in the deal for Sonny Gray.

          Barreto, who also had a brief stint with the A’s two months ago, is hitting .190 with a .239 OBP in 63 at-bats for the big league club. The 21-year-old from Venezuela hit .290/.339/.456 at Triple-A Nashville this season.

          -- Doug Mittler