JULIO FRANCO a MET! [Archive]

DODGER DEB

12-09-2005, 07:55 AM

According to the NY Daily News the METS are about to sign JULIO FRANCO (who admits to being 47 years of age) to a two year $2.2 million dollar deal. This story also contains other tidbits....

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/373347p-317304c.html

c.

KCGHOST

12-09-2005, 08:01 AM

Well, he is cheap, but I don't see any real value in this signing. He will be an okay off-the-bench bat, but he offers no defensive value or line-up flexibility.

SiddFinch1

12-09-2005, 09:32 AM

A little odd that they would sign him. He can still hit, but shouldnt get too many AB's behind Delgado (I hope).

Brooklyn

12-09-2005, 09:54 AM

plus they signed him for 2 YEARS? They lost Marlon Anderson becuase of the 2nd year, but gave a 2 year contract to a 47-year old pinch hitter?

Edgartohof

12-09-2005, 10:20 AM

Well, I think that he still has a decent enough bat to stay on someone's bench at least. I really like him, and hope he has a good year with the Mets.

The Dude

12-09-2005, 11:26 AM

He's goin to slowly pound his way to 3K hits.

Edgartohof

12-09-2005, 11:43 AM

He's goin to slowly pound his way to 3K hits.

And to think that he's missed 4 season ('95, '98-'00). Even if he only averaged 50 hits in those 4 seasons, that's 200 hits closer.

yankees-chick

12-09-2005, 12:29 PM

I actually think its a good deal. He is still solid despite his age and will do great as a bench player. He's good to have in case delgado/reyes etc get injured. to have a bench player who can hit .275 (just one year ago he was hitting .300!) is always good.

moebarguy

12-09-2005, 08:24 PM

We could have signed him to a minor league deal, but instead with give him a 2 year deal where he's making more than a mil per year...insane

KingJ

12-09-2005, 08:30 PM

We could have signed him to a minor league deal, but instead with give him a 2 year deal where he's making more than a mil per year...insane

Franco hit .275 with 9 HR/42 RBIs last season and is currently 4th among active players in career hits. A minor league contract to him and a major league contract to players Tike Redman and Kaz Matsui would be an insult to baseball.

moebarguy

12-09-2005, 08:31 PM

No one else wanted Franco -- the Mets once again outbid themselves.

KingJ

12-09-2005, 08:43 PM

No one else wanted Franco -- the Mets once again outbid themselves.

Braves wanted Franco for a 1yr deal.

Now that I think about it, the signing of Franco now looks more symbolic as they already have a better backup 1B in Nady. Mets outbid the Braves just to outbid the Braves in something.

moebarguy

12-09-2005, 10:02 PM

Braves wanted Franco for a 1yr deal.

Now that I think about it, the signing of Franco now looks more symbolic as they already have a better backup 1B in Nady. Mets outbid the Braves just to outbid the Braves in something.

More so that Minaya is just an idiot.

The Commissioner

12-09-2005, 10:17 PM

Well, he is cheap, but I don't see any real value in this signing. He will be an okay off-the-bench bat, but he offers no defensive value or line-up flexibility.

On the other hand, he's certainly not a defensive laibility.

Until he shows his age on the field, that shouldn't be used against him.

moebarguy

12-09-2005, 10:22 PM

But we could have used that money on a reliever -- something we actually need.

PureBaseballFan

12-11-2005, 09:49 AM

I like Julio and I'm sad to see him the leave the Braves. The Braves didn't want him though since they didn't offer him arbitration so I can't blame him. I think they saw that Julio was breaking down health wise since he had a nagging shoulder problem at the end of the '05 season. I think he will be a good pinch-hitter but one of his complaints with the Braves was he wasn't getting enough playing time I don't no if he will even get half the time he got with the Braves from the Mets.

laxplayer81217

01-08-2006, 11:11 AM

The man is gonna just pass out on the field one day haha!

55 chmps

01-08-2006, 05:01 PM

U kiddin? Julio Franco is my hero! I mean, who doesn't like him?

moebarguy

01-09-2006, 04:46 PM

I still don't understand why we gave a 50 year old a 2-year deal...

TonyStarks

01-10-2006, 12:24 PM

Hahaha....Omar I love ya man, but I seriously think he's out of a job by 08!

I think he gave Julio the 2yr deal and outbid HIMSELF because Julio is a fellow Dominican and lets be honest...it was a hand out.

The Mets already had a backup 1B in Nady...or so I thought.

moebarguy

01-10-2006, 12:25 PM

Seriously, he's just gives money out...