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PORT ST. LUCIE — Frank Francisco made his closing argument yesterday. This is an open and shut case.
“I am the closer,’’ Francisco told The Post at the Mets spring-training complex.
No ifs, ands or buts about it.
Remember, Frank Francisco is no chicken. Last June he stirred the pot just before the Subway Series, telling the Post’s Mike Puma he was looking forward to taking on the Yankees, saying: “I can’t wait to face those chickens.”
As for GM Sandy Alderson’s recent resistance to name Francisco the club’s 2013 closer, the right-hander smiled and said he does not read news reports about the team.
Instead, he offered his own succinct report: “I’m going to let it roll,’’ he said. “I will be the closer. That’s my mentality.’’
Francisco, who is in the final year of his contract, owns 67 saves over the last four seasons and is confident he will get more.
Manager Terry Collins has no doubts, either.
“He is the closer,’’ Collins said.
Collins had just made a dash across the complex to meet with Francisco in the minor league clubhouse. Collins was thrilled with the results of their talk.
“We saw last year when he is right, he is good,’’ Collins said. “I think he looks good. He is in the right frame of mind.’’
Francisco, coming off December surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow, drove up from Miami to check-in with the Mets training staff.
“I just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page with the trainer and staff,’’ Francisco said.
After his talk with Collins, Francisco threw for 15 minutes in the outfield. He has a ways to go before he is ready to pitch off the mound but feels he is making steady progress following a Dec. 18 elbow clean-out.
“I feel better,” he said after the workout. “I am going to be ready to go.’’
He believes he will be ready for the start of the season, but has to see how his rehab progresses through the spring. He said he feels he will be the closer when the Mets open the season at Citi Field against the Padres on April Fool’s Day, of all days.
Francisco also looks to be in much better shape than last season.
“I was a little heavy last year coming into spring training,” he said. “I’m about 248 now. I feel good.’’
Francisco’s numbers were brutal last season. He finished with a 1-3 record and a career-high 5.53 ERA. Because of injuries, he pitched only 42 1/3 innings, so you can see why Alderson is not comfortable with Francisco. The Mets’ bullpen turned to dust, finishing with a 4.65 ERA. Only the Brewers were worse with a 4.66 mark.
There is much room for improvement as Francisco enters the final year of his contract that will pay him $6.5 million this season. In save situations though, Francisco pointed out he pitched much better than in non-save situations. That is yet another example of the closer mentality at work. Francisco was successful in 23 of 26 save opportunities last year.
During September, Francisco was limited to six appearances because of his elbow issues. Entering the month, his ERA in save situations was 2.49.
Collins said he was excited about the day for several reasons.
“Frankie told me he was going to be here today, he drives up from Miami, he plays catch from 60 feet to show everybody he is making progress,’’ Collins said. “I understand we have concerns about his elbow, which is only natural, but he is going to start the season as the closer unless something dictates that he’s not and that something would only be if his elbow is not ready.’’
As for Bobby Parnell possibly being in the closer’s role, Collins said, “He’s the future.’’
Frank Francisco is the Mets’ closer unless his rehab stalls.
Case closed.
kevin.kernan@nypost.com