It's just business, Julio Franco insisted Monday. But the 48-year-old, back with the Braves after the Mets let him go July 12, clearly disagrees with the way the Mets conducted their on-field business. "When you get a month without playing, when you get four at-bats in a month against closers, the best in the league, I don't think anybody's that good," Franco said Monday before the Braves played the Giants at AT&T Park. "I don't think anybody is good enough to have four at-bats in a month against closers and be successful at it. " ... I'm grateful to the Mets. They gave me the opportunity to be part of the organization. To Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya. But as a player, you want to go play." Franco exaggerated slightly about his lack of chances, and significantly about the caliber of his opponents, during what turned out to be his final days with the Mets. After going 0-for-3 in a June 15 start against the Yankees, Franco received six plate appearances -- all as a pinch hitter -- through July 7. He went 0-for-5 with a walk, facing the sextet of Minnesota's Johan Santana, Oakland's Ron Flores, St. Louis' Jason Isringhausen, Philadelphia's Antonio Alfonseca and Houston's duo of Wandy Rodriguez and Dave Borkowski. The Braves have given Franco more of an opportunity, with little to show for it so far. On July 18, the Braves picked up Franco off waivers; in his first game, July 19, he stroked a two-run single in a 10-1 victory over the Cardinals. He then went hitless in his next 10 at-bats. Franco started at first base for the Braves Monday night, hitting eighth. "I prayed to the Lord that he would bring me here, and he did. This is home," Franco said. "This is the organization that gave me the opportunity out of Mexico [in 2001]. I wanted to come back here, and I did. They signed me. Here I am. It was a blessing to come back. "If there's someone that knows how to use me and get the best out of me, it's Bobby [Cox, the Braves' manager]. Coming back here, I only have good memories."