The ancient Franco

[Frayed Knot]

The one from this year, not the one from 2-3 years back

86Dreamer: Does anyone think that Franco's roster spot should be in jeapordy this season? I know they have made it a point to play him at 3B, but I think our SP mix of 40'somethings and 20'somethings will make it very difficult to carry someone with such a limited role, on what I think will need to be a short bench in order to carry a 12 man staff.

NYMR83: It should

Dickshot: Yes

I'm half keeping my eye on what the Yanx do with Andy Phillips.
Currently they're dealing with some form of 4-headed monster to cover 1B/DH. They want Giambi as a (mostly at least) full time DH and hired Meinteyechart for his glove. But Eyechart hasn't hit a lick in Spring (like 2-fer-25 last I saw) and hasn't really hit well since his Mini-soda days. Phillips missed a bunch of time due to a family situation so fell behind both Meinky & also Rule 5 pick Josh Phelps.
He's hardly a great hitter (.240/.288/.394 in 240 ABs last season) but does swing RH, has a glove nearly as good as Meinkiewicz, can play both 3B & OF in a pinch, and has enough pop (21 of 59 hits for XBs) to be a semi-threat as a PH -- which pretty much adds up to the type of guy we'd be looking for to backup for a guy who won't miss all that many games.

Problem is that if the Yanx dump him it'll probably be this week and - even if Omar is open to easing Julio into that gentle good night at some point this season - it's not going to be anytime soon.
I certainly open to other suggestions, but that kind of RH swinger with a decent glove and the threat of power is exactly the type we'd need.
IOW, like Franco but ... umm, better ... and younger.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Julio Franco is 48, and in ten years he has a chance to be 58.

I don't know why he's on this team. Last year the Mets won by a wide margin, so his using up a roster spot didn't hurt them at all.

If things are tighter this year (as I expect) there may be more pressure to give his spot to somebody who can produce more.