Sports

WENDELL MAY WALK ; MET RELIEVER WANTS 3-YEAR DEAL

The Mets appear to be dangerously close to losing one of their most valuable players after this season. Turk Wendell, the fiery and talented reliever who appeared in the second most games of any pitcher in the majors last year, wants a three-year contract from the Mets. If he doesn’t get it, his agent indicated he will, in all likelihood, leave via free agency after the 2000 season.

According to the agent, Greg Clifton, the Mets have said they are willing to talk about a two-year deal, but unless they make it a substantial one, Wendell won’t even listen. He wants a three-year deal and if he doesn’t get it, the two sides will either settle or go to arbitration for a one-year deal and Wendell will then definitely pursue free agency next year, where he may not even consider the Mets.

“I know Turk and the kind of personality he has,” Clifton told The Post from Arizona yesterday. “If he ends up going to arbitration this year, I do not think he will consider re-signing with the Mets after the season.”

When reached at his home in Colorado, Wendell confirmed what Clifton said.

“I love the Mets and I love New York,” he said. “I want to stay there. But it’s a matter of principle and respect. I want to be treated fairly.”

Clifton and Wendell also said that Mets general manager Steve Phillips promised him more than once that if he pitched well this year that he would be given a three-year deal.

“Steve told him that two years in a row,” Clifton said. “Turk wants to stay with the Mets. He loves it there, but he wants to be treated fairly, too.”

Another person familiar with Phillips said that if he did make that promise, he will fulfill it.

Phillips scoffed when he heard about the alleged promise, but would neither deny or confirm making it. Nor would he comment on any aspect of the negotiations, other than to joke that The Post had gotten to Clifton before he had. But if such a conversation did take place, then certainly the Mets would owe Wendell a long-term deal.

For two years, Wendell has been a workhorse out of the bullpen, pitching in tense and vital situations and becoming a fan favorite in the process. In 1999, he appeared in a club record 80 games, second most in the majors, and pitched 852/3 innings. He was also tied for third in the National League in holds with 21. He was 5-4 overall with a 3.05 ERA.

Over the past three seasons, he has averaged a whopping 70 appearances and never showed any signs of strain or fatigue. In fact, the 32-year-old right-hander complains when he doesn’t pitch enough.

From Sept. 13 through the end of the season, Wendell allowed only one earned run in 11 innings over 11 games. He also had an incredible stint from July 17 to Aug. 24 when he allowed only one earned run in 18 appearances. During that period, the Mets went 15-3.

As for the mild ultimatum issued by Clifton, Phillips said he didn’t want to negotiate in the newspapers.

“We have not gotten a return call from Greg Clifton yet,” Phillips said. “He has not said anything like that to us, so I can’t comment on it. We’ve had a couple of preliminary conversations, but I can’t comment on the details of negotiations.”

Wendell earned $1.2 million in ’99 and filed an arbitration figure of $2.15 this year. The Mets countered with $1.85. Baseball executives were surprised Clifton proposed such a low figure, and say it means the two sides will either come to a settlement at about $2 million for one year, or pursue a multi-year deal.

For a three-year deal, Wendell probably would be looking for something in the neighborhood of a $7 million package. A Met source said the team was considering the two-year deal, but no figure was forthcoming. A two-year deal for between $4 and $5 million would seem logical.

Two comparable pitchers to Wendell are Allan Mills (three years, $6.5 million) and Jerry DiPoto, who signed a two-year $4.9 million deal in November.

If Wendell leaves, the Mets would be losing more than just an effective pitcher. Wendell, who won the Payson Award for Humanitarian Services, is one of the most high-profile players on the team.

Fans love him for his aggressive, emotional approach on the mound, and the Mets love him for all the work he does in the community, and on the mound.

The Mets signed free agent utilityman Kurt Abbott to a minor league contract last night. The 30-year-old Abbott will compete to take over Luis Lopez’s spot as a backup infielder. He is known mostly as a second baseman, but can also play first base, shortstop and the outfield. Last season, he started at five different positions for the Rockies.

Abbott signed a one-year deal with an option for another. If he makes the major league club, he will make $500,000 this year with an incentive package that could earn him another $250,000.

Abbott, who was a member of the 1997 World Series champion Marlins, hit .273 in 286 at-bats for the Rockies last year, with eight home runs and 41 RBIs.