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Julio Franco close to a 2 year deal

abogdan Dec 08 2005 12:57 PM

[url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5149296]Ken Rosenthal[/url] is saying the Mets are close to signing 47 year old Julio Franco to a 2-year deal.

Elster88 Dec 08 2005 12:59 PM

OK, maybe Sal was right.

metirish Dec 08 2005 12:59 PM

Here we go, cue stories about egg whites , can we assume Julio is really about 52 so a two year deal sounds a bit much, still he'll help.

Valadius Dec 08 2005 01:01 PM

You HAVE to be kidding me.

cooby Dec 08 2005 01:02 PM

Jesus, I am SO glad I read that wrong

Edgy DC Dec 08 2005 01:07 PM

i think he's older than both Omar Minaya and Jeff Wilpon.

Nymr83 Dec 08 2005 01:11 PM

2 years to a 37 year old bench player would be questionable, but to a 47 year old? this team has truly lost it if this turns out to be true.

KC Dec 08 2005 01:13 PM

If you cut Franco in half and counted his rings, I bet he's older than Willie is too.

Centerfield Dec 08 2005 01:15 PM

I'll withhold judgment until I hear what the terms are. But regardless, how about the stones on Franco's agent to ask for a 2 year deal for his 47 year old client...

Yancy Street Gang Dec 08 2005 01:15 PM

cooby wrote: Jesus, I am SO glad I read that wrong Were you thinking it was John Franco? I was hoping you had read the two-year part wrong, but that appears to be true. That second year is nuts. It'll take him past his 49th birthday. I'll have to doublecheck, but I think Franco will debut as one of the 20 oldest living Mets.

Valadius Dec 08 2005 01:18 PM

Am I right in thinking he'd be the oldest Mets player ever?

Edgy DC Dec 08 2005 01:21 PM

I can't think there'd be any competition. I think a 49 (or so)-year-old Willie Mays may have DH'd for the Mets in a spring training game.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 08 2005 01:25 PM

If I had to guess who the oldest guy ever to play for the Mets was, I'd guess Warren Spahn.

Edgy DC Dec 08 2005 01:27 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 08 2005 01:29 PM

If I had to guess who the oldest-looking guy ever to play for the Mets was, I'd guess Roy McMillan.

abogdan Dec 08 2005 01:29 PM

Franco's not a bad RH bat off the bench, but guaranteeing the second year makes no sense.

cooby Dec 08 2005 01:30 PM

="Yancy Street Gang"] ="cooby"]Jesus, I am SO glad I read that wrong Were you thinking it was John Franco? I was hoping you had read the two-year part wrong, but that appears to be true. That second year is nuts. It'll take him past his 49th birthday. I'll have to doublecheck, but I think Franco will debut as one of the 20 oldest living Mets. Yeah, it was the John Franco part. Two years is nuts. Though I will say I have a soft spot for Julio because he's the last player left older than I am. And prolly my mom and dad.

KC Dec 08 2005 01:33 PM

I did a quick lookie at baseball-reference.com and in decending order I think it's Spahn, Mays, J. Franco, and Berra?

MFS62 Dec 08 2005 01:53 PM

Are they kidding? He was 47 years old when dirt was invented. Yes, I plead guilty to age bashing. Later

TheOldMole Dec 08 2005 02:02 PM

He can still hit. Remember Gordie Howe and George Blanda.

seawolf17 Dec 08 2005 02:04 PM

Omar might as well sign Gordie Howe... he's younger than Franco.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 08 2005 02:10 PM

So is Art Howe.

KC Dec 08 2005 02:14 PM

I'd like to see Julio's splits vs. the Mets. In my mind, he's been a thorn in our side?

Valadius Dec 08 2005 02:16 PM

.272-5-21 in 62 games, 169 at-bats.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 08 2005 02:20 PM

http://ultimatemets.com/opponent.php?PlayerCode=3683

Johnny Dickshot Dec 08 2005 02:22 PM

I remember a mass flipout on the old mofo when we signed Rickey to a 2-year deal; and a similar one when McEwing took 2 years rather than 1. Rickey's second year obviously didn't hurt: He was 2 years worth of good in 1. McEwing's deal was sorta stupid, but cheap stupid and only because it was Joe McEwing.

Elster88 Dec 08 2005 02:25 PM

Of course, Julio is now 7 years older than Rickey was and over a decade older than Super Joe was. If you believe he's 47. Seriously, if you want him and can't get him to take a 1-year deal, why not just look for a backup who's not in his late-forties? Is this a difficult question?

rpackrat Dec 08 2005 02:29 PM

Whether it makes sense depends on the dollars. If it's 2 years at $1 mil per, I have no problem with it. If Julio suddenly acts his age, the Mets can eat the second year. I seriously doubt it will be for much more than that. Meanwhile, it looks like Julio can still hit and play a little 1B.

metirish Dec 08 2005 02:30 PM

I think Omar's strategy is to overwhelm every FA , even ones that are who knows what age.

Elster88 Dec 08 2005 02:31 PM

rpackrat wrote: Whether it makes sense depends on the dollars. If it's 2 years at $1 mil per, I have no problem with it. Yeah, I guess. I'm down with that. It's not my money, as Vic has been pointing out.

Edgy DC Dec 08 2005 04:06 PM

In the Atlanta Journal Constitution, his agent is speaking about it like a done deal, and the figure they're giving is about $2.2 million total. Or about what George Foster got in 1985, after his attendance bonuses kicked in.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 08 2005 04:09 PM

I predict that the same number of people who buy tickets in 2006 because of Julio Franco will equal the number who bought 1985 tickets because of George Foster.

metirish Dec 08 2005 04:28 PM

With this being NY Julio should be able to cash in on his egg white eating habits, sales might go through the roof.

Edgy DC Dec 08 2005 05:15 PM

So, is this announced anywhere besides Deadspin?

Nymr83 Dec 08 2005 07:03 PM

Elster88 wrote: Seriously, if you want him and can't get him to take a 1-year deal, why not just look for a backup who's not in his late-forties? Is this a difficult question? my answer is getting closer and closer to "because he's hispanic." i'm still kidding, of course, but if this 47 year old gets 2 years i'll have to at least have that in the back of my head where before i gave it no credibility at all.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 08 2005 07:37 PM

Meanwhile, Omar opted for Paul LoDuca over Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez. The Hispanic conspiracy crowd won't notice that, of course.

Nymr83 Dec 08 2005 07:40 PM

no, but the "bad move police" will!

metirish Dec 08 2005 08:49 PM

So, is this announced anywhere besides Deadspin? ] BY DAVID LENNON STAFF CORRESPONDENT December 8, 2005, 5:16 PM EST DALLAS -- The Mets have agreed to terms with Julio Franco on a two-year contract worth $2 million, according to a baseball official. Franco, 47, was not offered arbitration by the Braves by Wednesday's midnight deadline and general manager Omar Minaya acted quickly to steal him away from his division rival. Franco batted .275 last season for the Braves with nine home runs and 42 RBIs in 108 games. The deal is expected to be announced on Friday. "I know Julio for a while," general manager Omar Minaya said. "Pretty good numbers over the years." Franco would fit well as a right-handed hitter who could occasionally spell new Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado, a left-handed swinging slugger. Jose Valentin also joined the Mets in a reserve role Thursday, agreeing to a $912,500, one-year contract. "Veteran guy, he wanted to come here," Minaya said. "He can play anywhere in the field." Minaya envisions the 36-year-old Valentin stepping into a role similar to the one filled last season by Marlon Anderson, who signed a $1.85 million, two-year contract with the Washington Nationals. Anderson excelled as a pinch-hitter for the Mets. Valentin hit .170 with two homers and 14 RBIs in 56 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He was sidelined from May 4 to July 31 with torn ligaments in his right knee after a collision at home plate with Washington catcher Brian Schneider. Valentin is playing center field this winter for a team he owns in Puerto Rico, Minaya said. A .241 career hitter with 228 homers and 736 RBIs, Valentin hit at least 25 homers every season from 2000-04 with the Chicago White Sox. The GM said the Mets have also heard from free agent Jeff Nelson, and the former Yankees reliever is interested in returning to New York. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Edgy DC Dec 08 2005 08:57 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 08 2005 10:04 PM

Not quite a formal announcement, though.

smg58 Dec 08 2005 09:49 PM

Um, what is the need for Franco? What does he do that Nady doesn't? We have eight regulars plus Castro, Valentin, Woodward, Nady, and Redman. Do we replace one of them, or knock off a reliever, for another reserve righty bat who can only play first base?

Edgy DC Dec 08 2005 10:04 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 08 2005 10:05 PM

I don't know about "need," but the desire for him is abstract stuff like veteran presence, experience, bench strength, and depth. And really, if there were no difference between him and Nady (which there is) the notion of having two of them is theoretically good, if this deal does, in fact, go down. We'll see. It sure makes that roster slot less attainable to Gerald Williams, or whoever 2006's GW might be.

Valadius Dec 08 2005 10:05 PM

Bye-bye Popsicle.

Rotblatt Dec 09 2005 09:38 AM

Yeah, I'm okay with this move. It's a little silly (2 years?!) but the guy put up decent numbers last year and he can spell Delgado at 1st. I'd have thought that Nady would play that role, but it doesn't hurt to have a little redunancy.

seawolf17 Dec 09 2005 09:43 AM

Barf. I think I'll end up liking Julio Franco, but I don't like this move right now.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 09 2005 10:17 AM

Youngest Mets First game Age Edward Emil Kranepool September 22, 1962 17 years, 318 days. James Charles Bethke April 12, 1965 18 years, 158 days. Kevin Michael Collins September 1, 1965 19 years, 28 days. Dwight Eugene Gooden April 7, 1984 19 years, 142 days. Lynn Nolan Ryan September 11, 1966 19 years, 223 days. Gregory Bryant Goossen September 3, 1965 19 years, 263 days. Timothy John Foli September 11, 1970 19 years, 277 days. José Manuel Oquendo May 2, 1983 19 years, 302 days. José Bernabe Reyes June 10, 2003 19 years, 364 days. Jerry Dean Hinsley April 18, 1964 20 years, 9 days. Michael Jorgensen September 10, 1968 20 years, 25 days. Gregory Scott Jefferies September 6, 1987 20 years, 36 days. Robert Lowell Heise September 12, 1967 20 years, 123 days. Amos Joseph Otis September 6, 1967 20 years, 133 days. Stephen Edward Dillon September 5, 1963 20 years, 169 days. William Lewis Hepler April 23, 1966 20 years, 210 days. Frank Edwin McGraw April 18, 1965 20 years, 231 days. Richard Frank Gardner September 1, 1965 20 years, 256 days. Ronald Alan Swoboda April 12, 1965 20 years, 286 days. Brock Pemberton September 10, 1974 20 years, 309 days. Walter Wayne Backman September 2, 1980 20 years, 346 days. Todd Randolph Hundley May 18, 1990 20 years, 356 days. John Lewis Pacella September 15, 1977 20 years, 365 days. Alejandro Treviño September 11, 1978 21 years, 16 days. William Francis Denehy April 16, 1967 21 years, 16 days. Alfred Lee Benton September 14, 1978 21 years, 21 days. John Kyle Mitchell September 8, 1986 21 years, 28 days. Anulfo Acevedo Espinosa September 13, 1974 21 years, 29 days. Cleon Joseph Jones September 14, 1963 21 years, 41 days. Darryl Eugene Strawberry May 6, 1983 21 years, 55 days. Oldest Mets Last game Age Warren Edward Spahn July 10, 1965 44 years, 78 days. John Anthony Franco October 3, 2004 44 years, 16 days. Willie Mays October 16, 1973 42 years, 163 days. Daniel Joseph Staub October 6, 1985 41 years, 188 days. Rickey Henley Henderson May 13, 2000 41 years, 140 days. Orel Leonard Quinton Hershiser October 19, 1999 41 years, 33 days. Roberto Hernandez October 1, 2005 40 years, 324 days. David Brian Cone May 28, 2003 40 years, 146 days. Frank Daryl Tanana September 14, 1993 40 years, 73 days. Eugene Richard Woodling September 16, 1962 40 years, 31 days. Lawrence Peter Berra May 9, 1965 39 years, 362 days. Lawrence Robert Bowa October 6, 1985 39 years, 304 days. Thomas Michael Glavine September 29, 2005 39 years, 188 days. Keith Anthony Phillips September 27, 1998 39 years, 155 days. Gerald Floyd Williams October 2, 2005 39 years, 53 days. Gilbert Ray Hodges May 5, 1963 39 years, 30 days. Todd Edward Zeile October 3, 2004 39 years, 24 days. Alois Terry Leiter October 2, 2004 38 years, 344 days. Thomas Marian Paciorek October 6, 1985 38 years, 338 days. George Thomas Seaver October 1, 1983 38 years, 317 days. Dennis Bryan Cook July 26, 2001 38 years, 295 days. Michael Grant Marshall October 2, 1981 38 years, 260 days. William Larry Randolph October 4, 1992 38 years, 90 days. Brett Morgan Butler August 9, 1995 38 years, 54 days. William Howell Taylor September 28, 1999 37 years, 347 days. Jay Stuart Bell September 28, 2003 37 years, 291 days. Michael Augustine Torrez June 12, 1984 37 years, 289 days. George Arthur Foster August 6, 1986 37 years, 248 days. Eddie Clarence Murray October 3, 1993 37 years, 222 days. Richard Anthony Rodriguez September 29, 2000 37 years, 213 days.

metirish Dec 09 2005 10:26 AM

What kinda blows my mind about the Franco signing is that Omar wouldn't go two years for Marlon Anderson, I realize Anderson probably is better off in DC but still.

Edgy DC Dec 09 2005 10:26 AM

]Orel Leonard Quinton Hershiser I'm glad he got at least one almost halfway-decent name in Leonard. But I guess that's why he's the bulldog. A lot of early-president-sounding guys: Robert Lowell Heise, Gregory Bryant Goossen

Edgy DC Dec 09 2005 10:29 AM

I guess Kranepool's record will never be broken, but Fernando Martinez is probably the first guy with a chance to come along in a while.

sharpie Dec 09 2005 10:37 AM

Tom Glavine will pass some guys next year.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 09 2005 10:38 AM

It took me a minute or two to realize who Keith Anthony Phillips was.

Vic Sage Dec 09 2005 10:40 AM

he's still useful, he won't cost much, he's one of Omar's guys (I've read that Omar knows him from Texas and has always thought highly of him as a "character" guy, and wants him in the organization). As for his age, does it matter? He's played at a pretty consistent level from his early 40s to his late 40s... you think he'll suddenly become so much "older" at 48 than he was at 47? And even if he does, his pricetag is such that it won't cripple the team to simply kick him upstairs into "community relations" or whatever it is Omar's got in mind for his compadre. To the extent he Franco takes ABs away from V.Diaz or Nady, its not a great move. But i don't have alot of faith in either of those guys being significantly more productive than Franco this year, so that too is not the end of the world, as far as i'm concerned. Besides, it could just mean that Nady is slotted to be the full-time RFer (more or less), so the Franco signing might have only minimal impact on him. Still, the Franco signing will likely reduce Diaz's role, and to the extent one believes Diaz has a real future here, I can understand disliking this move.

seawolf17 Dec 09 2005 10:41 AM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: It took me a minute or two to realize who Keith Anthony Phillips was. That would, of course, be "Mookie" Wilson.

MFS62 Dec 09 2005 10:50 AM

And of course, Alfred Lee Benton was better known as "Butch". Later

Johnny Dickshot Dec 09 2005 11:45 AM

Gooden of course is the youngest player on the team for "legitimate" reasons, as the guys younger than he were all first-year players who required a big-league slot lest they be poached in the drafts.

rpackrat Dec 09 2005 12:31 PM

I like the signing. He's posted an .844 OPS vs. lefties over the last 3 years (and hits righties pretty well, too), and he's cheap enough that, if he does suddenyl fall off a cliff, it won't break the Mets to cut him and eat the contract. Assuming Valentin's sorry 2005 was due to his knee injury and not him suddenly losing it, we now have the entire infield covered by solid defensive players, and Valentin hits righties well (.800 OPS over the last 3 years, including his miserable 2005). We're goinmg to have the strongest bench we've had in some time.

sharpie Dec 09 2005 12:38 PM

Well, not many people think Valentin is a solid defender.

rpackrat Dec 09 2005 12:50 PM

His UZR from 2002-2004 was +11, +28, + 15. He is a very good defender, or at least he was before the knee injury.

old original jb Dec 09 2005 02:57 PM He's my new hero.

He's my new hero. If you were born before 1965, he should be yours too. Anyone who has a chance to be playing baseball while pushing 50 ought to be everyone's hero unless his name is Roger Asshat Clemens.

Valadius Dec 09 2005 03:42 PM

Just heard this stat on ESPN: With his next home run, Julio Franco will become the oldest player ever to hit a homer.

Frayed Knot Dec 09 2005 04:02 PM

And look at it this way; at least we won't have to listen to Francis X. repeat the Julio/egg-white story 15 times a game. I mean, it was bad enough when it was 15 mentions x 19 Braves games per year. The mere thought of 15 x 162 is too much to even comtemplate. If Fran were still announcing I'd have to oppose the deal on that basis alone.

Zvon Dec 09 2005 04:03 PM

I wouldnt have minded seeing jakeMonster get the chance to be the Mets regular 1st baseman next year. But Delgado is a surefire upgrade with a steady bat and proven experince. Id rather see Mike Jacobs get a chance to be a full time player than a backup on the Mets bench. Franco should be a fine filler there. And I understand its a million point one per season. Is that too much? Its the price of doing business with a proven commodity these days. As far as the two years, the Mets plan to keep him in the organization after his playing days and Im sure that goes towards that end. The NY Post reports that with John and Matt having played for the Mets, they now have had every player named Franco in MLB history. Is that a fact? I dont trust the Post.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 09 2005 04:05 PM

What does Julio Franco do with all the yolks? I saw the "everybody named Franco" thing elsewhere, too.

Frayed Knot Dec 09 2005 04:13 PM

Well, we've yet to employ: Jeff FRANCOeur, plus Tito or Terry FRANCOna Nor, for that matter, have we ever had Franco Harris or Generalissimo Francisco Franco who (when I last checked) was still dead. But other than them, yeah we got'em all.

Zvon Dec 09 2005 04:24 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: or Generalissimo Francisco Franco who (when I last checked) was still dead. LMAOOOOOOOOOO :):):):):):) Now thats comedy. ;)

metirish Dec 09 2005 04:27 PM

]And look at it this way; at least we won't have to listen to Francis X. repeat the Julio/egg-white story 15 times a game. I mean, it was bad enough when it was 15 mentions x 19 Braves games per year. The mere thought of 15 x 162 is too much to even comtemplate. If Fran were still announcing I'd have to oppose the deal on that basis alone. I love it, between the egg whites and the weightlifting Fran could talk all night about Julio......

Valadius Dec 09 2005 05:42 PM

I'm sick of hearing him talk as it is... period.

Edgy DC Dec 09 2005 09:56 PM

Frayed Knot complains about Frannie pulling out the same old chestnut and then goes and plays the Generalissimo card.

Edgy DC Dec 10 2005 11:48 PM

Franco will in all likelihood be the last Met to have pre-existed the team.

Nymr83 Dec 11 2005 01:31 AM

before him John Franco would have barely qualified? i suppose it is still possible that they sign a mid-40's reliever this year or next but i'll admit it is a better than 50/50 shot that Julio Franco will be the last

Edgy DC Dec 13 2005 10:01 AM

The Braves have been platooning at first for years, which has guaranteed Julio a few starts a week plus double switches. With Carlos Delgado entrenched at first presumably 19 starts in 20 --- and Julio not having played any other position since 1997 --- I'm afraid his madly defiant hitting skills could finally atrophy on the bench.

Hillbilly Dec 15 2005 06:05 PM

"Franco is so old that when he began his career, Mr. Met had a full head of hair." [url]http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/offbase/051214[/url] Not bad. Thanks for your contributions to our thread.