Sports

At 47, Franco not done yet, joins Mets

Associated Press
Published December 10, 2005

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NEW YORK - General manager Omar Minaya and the Mets wanted Julio Franco so badly they gave a 47-year-old backup a two-year contract.

"There are guys that are special as far as longevity," Minaya said. "The only way we were going to be able to get him here was for two years."

The Mets agreed to a $2.2-million, two-year deal with Franco on Friday, luring baseball's oldest player away from NL East rival Atlanta and giving them a, well ... "mature" backup for new first baseman Carlos Delgado.

Most free agents in their mid-to-late 30s can't attract a multiyear offer. Franco has one at age 47 - and he wants to keep playing until he's at least 50.

"I think age is a stereotype, I always say that," said Franco, who keeps his body in incredible shape all year. "The only thing that matters is if you can play or you can't."

Franco hit .275 last season with nine homers and 42 RBIs in 233 at-bats for the Braves, and he was surprised when they didn't offer him arbitration after four-plus years in Atlanta.

That gave the Mets a better opportunity to land him, something Minaya tried to do last year. After taking over as GM, he said acquiring Franco was one of the first thoughts that entered his mind in trying to build a winning environment.

ROMERO GETS HIS WISH: J.C. Romero got what he asked for.

Saying he felt "disrespected" during his last few seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Romero wanted to be traded. The Twins accommodated him on Friday, dealing the left-handed reliever to the Los Angeles Angels for minor league infielder Alexi Casilla.

"When you feel disrespected, and feel you can't do anything about it, that's when you get frustrated," Romero said. "You have to move on. If you don't move on, you're going to be a mediocre pitcher and a mediocre person."

The 29-year-old Romero was 4-3 with a 3.47 ERA and had 48 strikeouts in 57 innings last season, but clashed with manager Ron Gardenhire and struggled to keep inherited runners from scoring.

Los Angeles general manager Bill Stoneman said the Angels certainly were aware of the friction between the Twins' reliever and manager.

"In the absence of his difficulties with Gardenhire, he probably wouldn't have been available to us or anybody else," Stoneman said. "If it's a personality thing, maybe a change of scenery is the best for everybody. That's what we're counting on.

"The information we picked up from the people who know him suggests we're going to be very happy to have him and that he's going to get along with people here."

NATIONALS BALLPARK DEAL MOVES ON: The District of Columbia and MLB agreed on a lease for a new Nationals ballpark, a deal that if approved will clear the biggest obstacle remaining before the team is sold.

The agreement, subject to approval by the D.C. Council in a vote set for Dec. 20, will lead to the sale of $535-million in bonds to cover construction costs for the proposed 41,000-seat ballpark, to be built about a mile south of the Capitol.

Bob DuPuy, the baseball's chief operating officer, said a new owner would not be chosen from among the eight bidding groups until after a lease agreement.

GRIFFEY CHANGES IT UP: Ken Griffey Jr. will switch from No. 30 to No. 3 next season as a tribute to his children - all three wear the No. 3 when playing sports.

Griffey wore No. 24 while playing for the Mariners, then switched when he joined the Reds. His father wore No. 30 while playing for the Reds.

LO DUCA TRADE COMPLETE: The Mets dealt minor league pitcher Gaby Hernandez and outfielder Dante Brinkley to the Marlins, completing the trade that sent catcher Paul Lo Duca to New York.

BRAVES: Veteran catcher Todd Pratt signed a one-year contract. Pratt, 38, will serve as backup and mentor to 21-year-old Brian McCann, who moves up as the Braves' starter following the trade of Johnny Estrada to Arizona earlier this week.

DODGERS: Tagg Romney, vice president of on-field marketing for Reebok, was hired as chief marketing officer.

INDIANS: Utility infielder Lou Merloni agreed to a minor league contract. Merloni played in five games for the Angels last season before tearing ligaments in his right ankle on May 1.

[Last modified December 10, 2005, 00:51:18]