With their flurry of acquisitions on Tuesday, the Braves left themselves with a roster dilemma on Wednesday. Finding roster spots for their two new relievers, Ron Mahay and Octavio Dotel, forced them to make two transactions.

Opting to option right-handed reliever Jose Ascanio to Double-A Mississippi didn't provide the same stress as deciding whether to designate either Julio Franco or Scott Thorman for assignment.

Knowing there was a strong chance that Thorman would be claimed by another club and possibly flourish elsewhere in the future, the Braves opted to designate Franco, who had just signed with them after being released by the Mets earlier this month.

Franco, who will celebrate his 49th birthday on Aug. 23, can be claimed off waivers over the course of the next 72 hours. If nobody claims him, he'll have the opportunity to accept a Minor League assignment with the Braves.

If this occurs, the Braves would have the option of utilizing Franco in September, when the Major League rosters expand. Since signing with Atlanta, the ageless wonder has batted .250 (9-for-36) and provided strong defense at first base.

"Julio has been great since we got him," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He's really perked us up offensively and defensively. He was as good as ever."

Cox said it was difficult to deliver this news to Franco, who has aspirations to continue playing until he's 50.

Because of Chris Woodward's defensive versatility, the Braves decided their only option to create this final roster spot was to designate either Franco or Thorman.

Franco left Turner Field before speaking to reporters on Wednesday. But some of his teammates believe as long as he's not claimed by another organization that he'll accept a Minor League assignment.

When general manager John Schuerholz acquired Mark Teixeira to serve as his first baseman on Tuesday, Franco shared the resulting excitement with his Braves teammates.

"I'm not a selfish player," Franco said Tuesday. "I just want to be part of the ballclub. Whatever we can do to improve the ballclub, I'm happy about."

As the Braves attempt to gain entrance into the postseason, Franco would seemingly be a better asset than Thorman, who has hit .220 this season and .203 since May 1. The 48-year-old's value as a pinch-hitter has seemingly increased in his past seven games, during which he hit .333 (8-for-24) with three doubles and eight RBIs.

But for now, they'll have to hope Thorman proves to be an asset off their bench. Though he has struggled mightily in his first full Major League season, the 25-year-old first baseman would still draw some waiver wire interest from other organizations, especially those who are aware of his history. Read More...

So by now I am sure you've heard that Rick Down has been replaced as hitting coach, by none other than Rickey Henderson. Personally I think this will be a good move, considering how he helped Jose Reyes become a better leadoff batter, and considering Rickey was a decent hitter in his day. One thing that does worry me and other Mets fans though is his ego, and the effect it could have on the team. I think this move can do nothing but help a struggling line up, and the Mets bats will catapult back into the top of the league.

The second move does not occur as a shock to many Mets fans as IF Julio Franco was released this week. While Grandpa Julio was a great mentor, especially for the Spanish ballplayers, most Mets fans grew tiresome of his “grounding out to second base” routine. I hope the Mets decide to make him a coach, because he truly would be great for that position on the team. Franco's roster spot will be filled by OF Lastings Milledge.

As I mentioned yesterday the Trade Deadline is coming, which means many rumors will begin to spread. Astros SP Roy Oswalt mentioned that he would waive his no trade clause in his 5-year $73 million contract if the Astros decided to trade him; however Astros General Manager Tim Purpura denied any interest in trading his ace. I imagine Omar will be on his cell phone about 20 hours a day for the next 3 weeks, trying to make a deal for Oswalt.

Since the trading deadline is fast approaching these are sure to be the first of many moves to come. It is a sigh of relief that Julio Franco was finally replaced with someone who can do more than just ground out to second base. Omar has to figure out how to improve the Mets in order to repeat as National League East Champions. An achievement we all are very hopeful for. Read More...

The Mets made a number of changes over the All Star Break, starting with the firing of Rick Down and the addition of Rickey Henderson to the coaching staff. Many of us saw this coming, after the Mets’ hitting seemed to disappear during the “June swoon”. With Down out and Henderson in, the most likely scenario would see first base coach Howard Johnson take over the job as hitting instructor. Rickey Henderson would then become the first base coach, a job he will fit into nicely, as he has worked extensively with Jose Reyes and some of the other Mets speedsters during spring training.

Down has done a terrible job as the hitting instructor, I personally am glad to see him go.

Today, the Mets dropped the second bomb of the break by designating the 48 year old Julio Franco for assignment. Again, this was expected, as most fans are sick and tired of seeing Willie Randolph bringing in Julio Franco to pinch hit in a big spot in the 8th inning only to see Franco strikeout or ground out to second. While Franco brought amazing leadership and experience to the clubhouse, it was time to face the facts. Franco just cannot get the bat around anymore, and therefore, he has no place on a potentially championship caliber team. Franco will be looking for a new team in 10 days, as he will become a free agent. If he can’t find a team that wants him, he will most likely retire and become a coach somewhere.

Lastly, Metsblog is reporting that the Mets have signed former Met Marlon Anderson to a minor league contract. Anderson was DFA’d by the Dodgers last month mainly because of the Dodgers plethora of younger infield talent. Anderson could become a viable option for the Mets off the bench this season since we have had trouble in the pinch hitting department.

Could all these changes by Omar be the key to success for the Mets? Only the next 75 games will tell. Read More...