[EmpireWF]

Mets beat writer John Delcos posted quotes from Mets manager Willie Randolph and second baseman Jose Valentin regarding recently departed (and newest Brave) Julio Franco.

“If you play, you have to produce. That clubhouse stuff is overrated,’’ manager Willie Randolph said.

Jose Valentin offered up that Franco was a less than eager participant in the club’s pre-game stretching. He also said Franco wouldn’t hesitate to get in the face of some of the younger players about doing their jobs even though he was hitting .200.

“To be a leader for me, it’s not enough to talk all the time,’’ Valentin said. “You have to go out and do it yourself.’’

Certainly sounds like some in the Mets club house weren't thinking too highly of Franco of late.

And MetsBlog points out,

the other thing that seemed to bugging willie and company, from what i can gather, is that franco had been quite vocal lately, complaining about a) not playing enough, and b) the way he is ‘disrespected’ by fans and media…

…ugh, whatever…enjoy the bench in atlanta

[ThePundit]

Wow. That surprises me. I thought the Mets loved Franco.

I agree with him about the clubouse stuff. Look at the 77-78 Yanks for proof.

[Nuke]

I thought the clubhouse would like Franco because he was like a grandfather figure to them. Only the Mets would sign such a waste of a roster space like 1000 year old Julio Franco. What's next? An Alfonso Soriano like deal for Benny Agbayani?

[EmpireWF]

Hey now, at least Agbayani performed in the playoffs.

(Still, I'll never forget his front page prediction that the Mets would win the world series in 5 games.......ugh that just...nevermind....ugh)