SAN FRANCISCO — Jason Bay was still Mets property as Tuesday’s non-waiver trading deadline passed, but not without the organization discussing a potential change of scenery for the underachieving left fielder.
A Mets source yesterday confirmed a report saying the team discussed a trade that would have sent Bay to the Marlins for underperforming closer Heath Bell and catcher John Buck. The source did not indicate how serious the discussions became.
But talks never got the point where the Mets asked Bay, who is scheduled to make $16 million next year — his contract also has a $3 million buyout if he doesn’t reach 600 plate appearances in 2013 — to waive his full no-trade clause.
“It’s the absolute first I’m hearing of it right now, so that would be no,” Bay said before the Mets beat the Giants 2-1 at AT&T Park.
Asked by The Post if he would have waived the no-trade clause, Bay answered: “I’m not going to say anything about that. We could play that game all day long.”
As much as the Mets would love to unload Bay, the thought of a reunion with Bell, who pitched for the club from 2004 to 2006, wasn’t so peachy considering he is signed through 2014 and owed another $24 million.
The 34-year-old Bell has been among the biggest free-agent busts in baseball this season. He entered yesterday’s play 2-5 with a 5.66 ERA in 47 appearances this season.
Buck would have filled the Mets’ need for a right-handed bat behind the plate and is scheduled to make $6 million next year.
* Top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler will be limited to about 150 innings this season, according to Alderson, likely eliminating the possibility the right-hander will pitch in the major leagues in 2012.
Wheeler, who was promoted yesterday from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Buffalo, is expected to reach his innings limit near the end of August. He was 10-6 with a 3.26 ERA for Binghamton.
* On the topic of innings limits, Alderson said Matt Harvey will be shut down in the 165-170 range. By Alderson’s projection that will get the right-hander to at least mid-September. Harvey pitched 110 innings for Triple-A Buffalo.
* Frank Francisco pitched a scoreless inning for Binghamton and will rejoin the Mets tomorrow in San Diego provided his left oblique doesn’t act up today.
* Andres Torres missed his second straight start with a sore right hand, but Collins said the outfielder has improved and could be close to rejoining the lineup.