Here's the scoop:
Franco cleared waivers on Wednesday after being designated for assignment by the New York Mets on July 12. The Braves did not announce a corresponding roster move, but it is expected before Thursday's game against St. Louis.
Franco, 48, has played 24 Major League seasons and spent 2001-05 with the Braves, hitting .292. He has 2,576 career hits and a .298 lifetime batting average in 2,512 games. Franco, who has played for eight Major League teams, has also spent time playing professionally in Japan, Mexico and Korea.
First thing, I like the move.
Second thing, the last time we made the playoffs he was on the club.
Third thing, who will be shoved off the roster? I'm guessing it will be a pitcher like Ascanio or Davies.
Fourth thing, we have too many first baseman, and Scott Thorman may be out of luck.
Update [2007-7-18 16:50:37 by gondeee]:
I don’t think Franco is there for leadership or veteran presence alone. The Braves wouldn't have signed him if they didn't think there was still something left in his bat. One of the things we can point to which may explain Franco's season is that he was being used almost exclusively as a pinch-hitter by the Mets. He only got two or three starts a month for them and at his age that's probably not enough to keep his timing up where it needs to be.
I would venture a guess that this move may be the first in a series of moves, one of which may include shipping Scott Thorman off somewhere. That would leave more playing time at first for Franco and Salty. This could also be a precursor to a trade of Salty – this might turn out to be an interesting night.