WASHINGTON -- After making three Gulf Coast League appearances in Florida in a six-day span, Frank Francisco has moved to Double-A Binghamton.
Still, the expectation among at least one team insider is that the ex-closer will not pitch for the Mets this season.
Frank Francisco
#48 RP
New York Mets
2013 STATS
- GM-
W-
L-
BB-
K-
- ERA-
And that speculation has nothing to do with Francisco's elbow.
The primary benefit of Francisco pitching for the Mets in September would be allowing him to increase his value to sign elsewhere as a free agent during the offseason. And Mets officials appear cognizant of that fact and inclined to cut Francisco loose before he can reappear with them in a major league uniform.
Francisco had what appeared to be a benign surgical procedure on Dec. 18 to remove a bone spur from his pitching elbow. Sandy Alderson subsequently publicly suggested Francisco did not devote the requisite attention to his rehab. Francisco has continued to complain about a cranky elbow at points this season, and as a result has not appeared at the major league level in 2013.
He is making $6.5 million this season, in the second year of an ill-fated two-year, $12 million deal. It is the largest contract Alderson has given to a free agent in three winters as general manager.
