Julio Franco signs with New York Mets
Julio Franco wants to play until he’s 50 years old and the Mets may make that possible. They signed him to a 2-year contract worth $2.2 million. He would turn 50 during the 2008 season. Franco hit .275 with 9 home runs and 42 RBIs last season. He compiled a .292 batting average, 29 home runs and 171 RBIs during his 4+ seasons with the Braves. With up-and-coming first basemen like James Jurries in the minors, the Braves declined to offer Franco arbitration in order to maximize their budget for offseason acquisitions.