Mets sign new closer, Frank Francisco, to 2-year/$12 million deal

by Jay on Dec 06, 2011 10:27 pm in Angel Pagan, Commentary, Free-Agent Tracker, New York Mets

According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the New York Mets have agree to a contract with another former Toronto Blue Jay reliever, Frank Francisco:

The #Mets and Frank Francisco have agreed to a 2-year deal, pending a physical.

December 6, 2011 11:01 pm via Twitter for iPad ReplyRetweetFavorite

@KenDavidoff

Ken Davidoff

Though the team added Francisco’s 2011 teammate, Jon Rauch, earlier in the evening, Davidoff is reporting that the closers job is Francisco’s to lose:

Francisco will close for the Mets. Rauch will set up.

December 6, 2011 11:02 pm via Twitter for iPad ReplyRetweetFavorite

@KenDavidoff

Ken Davidoff

The two relievers combined for 28 of the Blue Jays 33 saves in 2011.

#Bluejays had 33 saves last yr, 28 were by Francisco (17) and Rauch (11), now both are #Mets

December 6, 2011 11:04 pm via TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite

@Joelsherman1

Joel Sherman

After turning in a 3.55 ERA last season, Francisco will get a significantly larger sum than Rauch.

Frank Francisco's deal with #Mets is two years, $12 million.

December 6, 2011 11:14 pm via TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite

@AdamRubinESPN

Adam Rubin

Things are moving and I’ll be honest, I’m going to sleep happier tonight than I did the past couple. With Ramon Ramirez being brought in via trade and the signings of Rauch and Francisco, this bullpen is completely revamped.

The veteran arms will take the pressure off guys like Pedro Beato and Bobby Parnell and given the lengths of the contracts, won’t prevent the youngsters from growing into more important roles down the road. This may not a huge coup for Sandy Alderson, but he managed to address one of his team’s major needs and did so without breaking the bank. It’s not sexy, but it may very well be effective……and that may be the calling card for the 2012 Mets.