Current Contract:
Signed through 2006.

Became a Cardinal:
Selected from the Boston Red Sox in the Triple-A Phase of the Rule 5 Draft on December 8, 2005.

2005 Season:
Franco spent most of the 2005 season at Double-A Mississippi before straining his left knee on July 30, and missing the rest of the season. He hit .296/.323/.385 with three home runs and 23 RBI in 48 games for Mississippi. In a short stint (May 20 - June 8) at Triple-A Richmond, Franco hit .250 in 32 at-bats.

Career Notes:
Signed by the Devil Rays out of Mexico in 1998, Franco was signed by the Braves as a minor league free agent prior to the 2005 season. The Devil Rays loaned his contract to the Mexico City Tigres for parts of the 1999, 2000 and 2002 seasons, and for all of the 2003 season. He has a career minor league batting average below .250 with only 16 home runs in six seasons.

Photo: MLB Photos