John

Franco

Franco is currently on paternity leave, due back today, but hasn’t been missed. To now, the Mets haven’t felt the need to honor his request.

Franco will throw 25 pitches on the side tomorrow, then another live BP session Saturday, during which he may reach 40 pitches.

If Franco wants to retire, he will be offered a position with the team. However, the 44-year-old left-hander would prefer to continue his career. “Right now I’ve filed my free agency and three or four teams already called my agent and have expressed interest,” Franco said.

Francodoes not appear to face any criminal charges, but MLB has rules prohibiting its players from associating with organized crime members. If there’s something to this, the Mets could shy away from keeping Franco in the organization. They already had little interest in bringing him back as a pitcher, but if he was ready to end his career, it was thought he would be kept as a coach.

Franco is still at least a couple of months away from coming off the DL as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, but he believes he’s almost ready to resume pitching in game situations.

It’s only fair. The Mets sign Carlos Beltran, and the Astros get them back by inking Franco. “He’s a lefty that gets lefties out, and that’s a pretty rare commodity,” GM Tim Purpura said.

With Franco and David Cone due to return shortly, Jaime Cerda and Pat Strange could be headed back to Triple-A Norfolk.

Franco pitched last night, allowing a hit and a walk on 15 pitches. The last time he pitched back-to-back games, his velocity was down in the second game. If Franco comes through the outing looking and feeling good, he could be activated shortly.

Franco would like to get 7-10 innings in the minors, and return to the Mets in a few weeks.

Franco wants to remain with the Mets, so a one-year deal could get done soon.