John Franco has a message for all those antsy Mets fans: Calm down, people.
The Mets have yet to make a significant acquisition this winter on the heels of last season’s 70-92 disaster, but the club’s all-time leader in saves said last night that there is no reason for concern.
“It’s early yet — real early — but everybody’s panicking,” Franco said while appearing at a charity function at The Plaza Hotel in honor of the Yankees and Mets.
HARDBALL AT THE WINTER MEETINGS
“You’ve got to go in the market and see what’s available, then take it slow,” Franco continued. “You don’t want to rush into anything, and that’s what Omar’s doing.
“Because other teams are making deals, everybody wants you to make a deal, too. But you want to make the right deal, and that’s what he’s doing. He’s taking his time and wants to make the right deal.”
Franco was one of several former Mets in attendance at the event, but the only one who talked to reporters. In a weird and unexplained move, Ron Darling — an analyst on the team’s own TV network — sent word through charity publicists that he would not speak to the media.
With Mets general manager Omar Minaya and his staff apparently poised to leave the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis without a single trade or free-agent acquisition, Franco refused to sound the alarm.
“I’m sure they’re going to do something,” Franco said. “It’s not just free agents. I’m sure they’re looking at all options in terms of trades, too.”
Asked if the Yankees winning the World Series while the Mets nearly brought up the rear in the National League put added pressure on Minaya to make a splash this winter, Franco shrugged.
“I don’t think the Yankees winning the World Series was a factor, because the Mets were going to do something no matter what just because last season was so tough,” he said.
Count Franco among the observers who think the Mets aren’t in need of an overhaul, despite their woeful 2009. Injuries were the overriding reason for last season’s downfall, he said.
“The core is there,” Franco said. “They just need to have everybody healthy. You have to have a [Jose] Reyes healthy, a Carlos Beltran healthy, plus the young guys in the rotation — Johnny Maine, [Mike] Pelfrey and Ollie Perez.”
Franco will get a look at those pitchers up close in Port St. Lucie next year. He said he has been invited back by the Mets for a second season as a special instructor in spring training, with his focus being on the relievers.