Maikel Franco, who has been a sensation for the otherwise struggling Philadelphia Phillies, nearly signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent.

According to one report, Franco signed with the Phillies because they offered him $5,000 more than the Yankees.

Franco confirmed Wednesday that he nearly signed with New York in January of 2010, when he was a free agent prospect out of the Dominican Republic.

The Yankees offered a $95,000 signing bonus while the Phillies offered $100,000. Franco also said he spent two or three weeks at the Yankees complex in Santo Domingo before making his decision.

"It's tough. I know I was almost close to coming here and almost close to signing to the Yankees," he said.