7
2011
Frank Francisco at $12 Million Is A Concern
An article by 
Late last night, the Mets made headlines by not only trading Angel Pagan to the Giants for Andres Torres and RHP Ramon Ramirez, the team also signed pitchers Jon Rauch, and Frank Francisco.
I had no problem with the Rauch signing at all. I did have a slight problem with the trade, but the other signing of the night, Frank Francisco, was the one acquisition that really didn’t make sense contract-wise to me.
Spending that kind of money on a guy who has had a troubled past deserves that MNF styled “c’mon man”. I have several reasons why I would not give Francisco the kind of money the Mets enriched him with last night.
For a player who has had an up-down type career and checkered past, it really makes no sense to me. Who knows what we’ll get from this guy?
It sort of feels like the whole Oliver Perez cycle. Perez was up and down, up and down, and you never knew if you were going to get good Ollie or bad Ollie.
Francisco’s troubled past also gives me a small level of concern. When pitching for Texas, he got hot-headed with a Chicago White Sox fan and he threw a chair at him.
He is not the kind of guy I would be paying $12 Million dollars for. If I wanted someone like that, I’d go back and get K-Rod for god sakes.
Over the course of his career, its been said that Francisco has been erratic and wild with the strikezone. Just what we need, another Perez/K-Rod combination.
The only real upside to this deal for me is the fact that he is a power-pitcher and has the potential to strikeout a lot of guys. That’s really the only aspect of this deal that I’m happy with.
I’ve been one of the biggest opponents to signing Frank Francisco, and the fact we went out and signed him and actually gave him a two year deal for $12 Million is disconcerting. That is way too much money for a guy who has a troubled past, has issues with being wild and inconsistent, and doesn’t seem to have the stuff to be a closer for this team day-in, and day-out.
I just think he is worth far less than what he got.
What do you think?
About the Author: Brandon Butler
Brandon is currently a MMO Minor League Staff Writer. He is also the co-host of the Mets Madness Podcast on Talkshoe Radio. Brandon lives in Hornell, NY.
26 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.0 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 6.5 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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I think the reliever market is crazy at the moment and getting anyone with legit closing experience was going to cost much more than 6 per. I’d think 8+ per. Even Cordero at 123 years old will prob. get 8-ish and most likely a 2 year deal.
I think considering the market, it is very reasonable. I also think it is a contract that can be moved at the deadline for prospects. Seriously if they did overpay, which in this market I am not sure you can say that, how much? 2-4 million total?
TRS, I would give someone 6 Million a year if I was confident that he could go in day-in and day-out, and be a good closer. Francisco has been wild on the mound, and has had a checkered past. We basically have another K-Rod on our hands. I just don’t think he is worth 6 million.
Thing is Brandon, the guy that you describe will cost MUCH more than 6 million per for only 2 years.
Correction: Francisco’s chair throwing incident was in Oakland, not Chicago, and it was way back in 2004. That’s 7 years to mature and grow up. I don’t remember hearing of any other such incidents with him since then. He is worth a shot and definitely has the arm. Is it a risk, without a doubt. But given the state of the Mets’ finances I think they did the best they could last night with Francisco, Ramirez, and Rauch. Have to wonder who gets bumped though, Beato (who will now be able to be optioned to the minors), Parnell (not sure of his options status), Carrasco (still owe over $1 million for 2012 so unlikely), or Acosta. At least now they have some decent depth.
Brandon, how dar you say a move made by sandy alderson is a concern??? how dare you?? didn’t you get the memo that sandy alderson had a good day?!!? (Roll eyes)
Giving a multi-year deal to ANY reliever is a concern. However, considering the market and the options available I can’t see how it’s a bad deal.
Right, just like carrasco last yea right??? he can’t do no wrong in some people’s eyes.. why don’t you get me his UZR and all the fancy numbers you like coming up with for players??? i’m shocked you havent come up with numbers to start a debate
so you get all over sandy for doing “nothing”, then get all up in arms when he does make moves to improve the team? Do you just want last years BP back?
Should i remind you people our bullpen was the 4th best in the league before the genius himself waved the white flag and dismantle the bullpen??
Yeah we don’t need no stinking stats. We have all seen Jon Rauch, Ramirez and Fransisco pitch 100 times so our eyes tell us…. Alex, stats are especially useful for guys that are not on our team right? As for fancy UZR stats, LOL, you really don’t know me as well as you thought. Not a big fan at all of UZR.
……And you have the audacity to call me a baiter!!!!!! Complain that others are sarcstic. You are a fraud.
hey, if it aint my favorite girl… stalKAY… keep up the good work ok..
I’m not surprised at all that Sandy gave Francisco gave 2 yrs. at 6MM per. Francisco is a credible closer and still was the cheapest closer on the FA market from amongst Papelbon, Madson, Bell, Cordero, Nathan,K-Rod and Broxton and Lidge were just too much of an injury risk. You also have to go by what a player earned last year and if they had a credible to good year they’re going to want a raise and Francisco did earn 4MM last season and of course was a FA. Plus, Sandy did have some competiton for Frank’s services and obviously right now the Mets aren’t exactly a hot landing spot for any FA with the Mets being a team in transition.
Sach what do you think of the Houston Street trade for a minor leaguer? Was it doable for the Mets?
Of course it was but not really because of Bob Geren. That was simply a salary dump trade but again Street was too pricey for the Mets at 8MM.
Acc. to Rosenthal, K-Rod may accept arbitration with the Brewers-not definite- not finding much of a market at his asking price of at least 10MM per for 3 years. May not be enough chairs after the closer merry-go-round stops.
I like it! I like it! Acc. to Sherman on twitter, who lately is getting better scoops and info regarding the Mets than Adam Rubin, Sandy right now is being very agressive in trade talks discussing anyone on the Mets except David Wright. Let me rephrase that- I like that Sandy is being aggressive in trade talks but in my world Ike, Duda, Tejada and Dickey are keepers, everybody else on the Mets including Wright and Niese, I’m open for business.
Bad move???? Impossible. We now have the FIFTH BEST CLOSER IN THE DIVISION!!!!!! What’s the problem?
More good info from Sherman – The BS Marlins backloaded Reyes’ contract- just 10MM, 10MM,16MM,22MM,22MM,22MM and a 22MM option for a 7th year with a 4MM buyout which should infuriate Mets fans even more. Although, the Greenberg & Reyes camp didn’t mind a backloaded deal because they feel that will serve as a no trade option which the Marlins didn’t give to Reyes.
Some more good luck for the Mets. Acc. to Davidoff, MLB has stepped in and told the Mets they will receive the Marlind 2nd rd. pick in the draft and not the 3rd rd pick because of the BS Elias rankings for Heath Bell and Jose Reyes.
Ya, I was wondering about that. I thought the new compensation rules already kicked in, but people were talking like the old ones were still in effect.
I see it this way: this season is a wash, but if FF has a good half season, he becomes a trade nugget for a contender
I don’t disagree.
How about you give the guy a chance here? That’s all. If he stinks oh well wasted 6 million if he’s good great he’s good. It helps he spent time in the AL East if that doesn’t toughen him up I don’t know what will. I just think your like most Mets fans frustrated but if you thought they were going to break the bank on a closer you’ve had your eyes closed for the past 6 months. These are all the signings and trades this team can make and until Madoff is decided that’s how its going to be. Listen they may not say it but the Wilpons as business men need to have money in reserve to counteract any future loses due to the impending court case. If they get off with just owing 81 million you will see the payroll flexibility increase. If its 360 million it will stay way you see it and if its in the billions like Pickard wants then some of you will get your wish cause they will not be able to keep the team and be forced to sell. Its all a wait and see game and in the meantime we get a crappy product.
However there are no free agents other than the big 3 that are worth any big contracts anyway. None of the pitchers on the market are worth big money. None are the Verlander/CC types who deserve top dollar contracts. They are all nice pitchers looking for big paydays and those you stay away from anyway. None of the position players other than Reyes would we have signed either. It just happens to work out the year we have no money there isn’t really anything to spend it on. I’d rather they keep their money now and wait until 2014 when they can invest the new payroll flexibility more wisely. By that time Madoff will have been decided and the owners will have no excuse to fall back on one way or the other.
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