NEW YORK — General manager Omar Minaya and the New York Mets wanted Julio Franco so badly they gave a 47-year-old backup a two-year contract.

The Mets agreed to a $2.2 million, two-year deal with Franco Friday, luring baseball's oldest player away from NL East rival Atlanta and giving them a backup for new first baseman Carlos Delgado.

Franco hit .275 last season with nine homers and 42 RBI in 233 at-bats for the Braves.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired right wing Eric Boguniecki from the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Steve Poapst Friday.