Jeff Francis told the Vancouver Province on Monday that "teams are interested, but that's about it at this point."

In other words, Francis hasn't been offered a contract. That should change as clubs look to add depth from the free agent scrap heap, but Francis is not in line for much of a payday. The 29-year-old posted an unremarkable 5.00 ERA and 67/23 K/BB ratio over 104 1/3 innings with the Rockies this past season and missed all of 2009 after undergoing shoulder surgery.

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Mets, Nationals, Pirates, Rangers and Yankees have shown varying degrees of interest in Jeff Francis.

Nothing we haven't heard before, though this is the first report involving the Yankees. Francis, who turns 30 in January, is a nice buy-low candidate after posting a 5.00 ERA and 67/23 K/BB ratio over 104 1/3 innings with the Rockies last season. The southpaw missed the entire 2009 season with shoulder surgery, but his solid peripherals after the All-Star break in 2010 could be a sign of things to come.

The Denver Post's Jim Armstrong expects Jeff Francis to make a decision on which team he will play for by early next week.

Armstrong thinks Francis could still return to the Rockies, but it's unlikely given that he should get more money and a better opportunity from a handful of other teams. The Mets, Brewers, Pirates, Nationals, Mariners and Rangers have all been linked to the left-hander. Francis posted a 5.00 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 20 games (19 starts) in his first year back from shoulder surgery, but the former 17-game winner would be a good buy-low candidate.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Rockies, Nationals, Pirates, Mariners, Mets and Rangers are among the teams that have checked in on free-agent left-hander Jeff Francis.

In other words, he's a wanted man. Francis posted a 5.00 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 20 games (19 starts) in his first year back from shoulder surgery this past season, but his peripherals were pretty strong. The southpaw is a nice bounceback candidate.

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Mets have met with Jeff Francis' agent in Orlando.

The Mets are targeting low-cost/high-upside types this winter and Francis certainly fits that bill. After missing the entire 2009 season following shoulder surgery, the 30-year-old left-hander posted a 5.00 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 20 games (19 starts) this past season, including a 4.79 ERA and 36/6 K/BB ratio over 41 1/3 innings after the All-Star break. They won't be alone in their interest.

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Mets have not offered a contract to left-hander Jeff Francis.

That refutes a Thursday report by Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com. Francis has drawn interest this offseason from the Pirates, Mariners, Rockies, Brewers and Astros, so he should have no shortage of offers. The 30-year-old posted a 5.00 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 104 1/3 innings this past season.

Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com reports that Mets have offered a big league contract to left-hander Jeff Francis.

Francis looked fairly strong in the second half of the 2010 season and finally appears to be recovered from the major shoulder surgery that he underwent in 2009. The Pirates, Mariners, Rockies, Brewers and Astros have also expressed interest in the southpaw, but the Mets may be the only club willing to offer up a big league deal. Now the ball is in Francis' court.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Pirates, Mariners, Rockies, Brewers and Astros all have interest in free agent Jeff Francis.

Francis, who turns 31 in January, went 4-6 with a 5.00 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) this past season, his first after missing the entire 2009 season following shoulder surgery. The Rockies turned down his $7 million option earlier this month, but if the left-hander is healthy, he could be a decent bargain in a limited market for free agent starters.

Rockies declined LHP Jeff Francis' $7 million option for 2011.

Francis was informed long ago that the option would not be picked up. The Rockies are hoping to bring him back on an incentive-packed deal, but talks so far have not progressed. The 29-year-old lefty had a 5.00 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP in 20 appearances (19 starts) over the course of 2010.

The Rockies have yet to officially decline Jeff Francis' $7 million option for 2011.

It's near certainty that they will, but the club has let Francis know that they are interested in retaining him at a lower salary. "They have made it clear they want Jeff to stay," Francis' agent Jim Lindell said. "Jeff loves Denver, loves the guys in the clubhouse. And if everything's equal, Jeff would love to be back." Whether he returns may ultimately depend on if the club is able to re-sign Jorge De La Rosa.

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, free agent left-hander Jeff Francis "figures" to re-sign with the Rockies.

The Rox declined his $7 million option for 2011 and will instead try to retain the southpaw at a bargain rate. Francis posted a 4-6 record, 5.00 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 20 appearances (19 starts) this season, striking out 67 batters in 104 1/3 innings and walking only 23. He still has some talent.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Rockies will not pick up the $7 million option on Jeff Francis for next season.

Francis started the season off strong and posted a decent 4.56 Coors Field ERA before getting hurt in the middle of August. However he hasn't been the same pitcher since returning from injury and managed to raise his ERA to 4.93 in just three starts. The Rockies could still bring him back if they don't think their young pitchers are ready to contribute.

Jeff Francis was tagged for five runs -- four earned -- over just three innings as part of a no-decision in a loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday night.

Yet another disappointing outing from Francis. He was touched up for six hits -- including a pair of homers -- while striking out one and walking none. He has failed to complete four innings in any of his three starts since returning from shoulder soreness. With the loss, the Rockies are officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Jeff Francis was chased for three runs over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Thursday night.

Francis needed 81 pitches just to record 11 outs. He gave up six hits -- including a two-run homer by Kelly Johnson -- while walking three and striking out four. He probably was going to be subject to a pitch-count again, since this was only his second start back from the disabled list, but the fading Rockies can't afford another clunker like this from any of their starters.

Jeff Francis lasted only three innings Monday, allowing a pair of runs on five hits in a loss to the Padres.

It was the left-hander's first start for the Rockies since August 11, after which he was shut down with shoulder soreness. He made just one rehab start at Triple-A and pitched just three innings, which is why he was on a limited pitch count Monday. Francis will face the Dodgers on Sunday.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy announced that Jeff Francis will take Aaron Cook's place in the starting rotation next Monday against the Padres.

Francis was recently sidelined due to shoulder soreness, so he'll be limited to about 60 pitches, with Esmil Rogers available if he struggles early. The southpaw is 4-4 with a 4.56 ERA and 59/20 K/BB ratio over 16 starts this season.

Jeff Francis (shoulder) threw three scoreless innings Sunday in his final rehab outing with Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Francis is probably going to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday but won't be available to pitch until either Wednesday or Thursday. The lefty had a 4.56 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 16 starts before getting injured. The Rockies haven't decided what his role will be with the big league club.

Jeff Francis (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Francis threw a successful bullpen session Thursday and has been cleared for live action. Out since August 12 with shoulder soreness, he's aiming to return to the Rockies' starting rotation in mid-September. The lefty has a 4.56 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 16 starts this season.

Jeff Francis (shoulder) threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday.

With that out of the way, Francis is expected to make his first minor league rehab start with Triple-A Colorado Springs on Sunday. He's slated to throw approximately 55-60 pitches. It's not known if the Rockies intend to keep him there for multiple starts.

Jeff Francis (shoulder) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session on Monday.

Francis told Troy Renck of the Denver Post that his biceps tendon still aches, however he doesn't feel any pain when he pitches. The southpaw has been on the disabled list since August 12 due to left shoulder soreness. Francis said he planned to return by the end of the month, but he's going to have to make quick progress to meet his goal.