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MIAMI — The core still counts.
And when general manager Sandy Alderson stops to consider the core of the Mets’ roster, two names emerge above the others.
At the center of Alderson’s offseason plan to make the Mets relevant for 2013 and beyond is getting new contracts in place for David Wright and R.A. Dickey.
“We’re in a position to make a bona fide effort to do it, so I’m happy about that,” Alderson said yesterday before the Mets concluded their season with a 4-2 victory over the Marlins.
Alderson said the Mets already have begun “informal” conversations with Wright about his future. Both Wright and Dickey are under team control for 2013, but can become free agents after next season and have said they want their situations resolved before spring training.
The fact the team’s owners, Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, last March reached a positive settlement with the trustee for the victims in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, coupled with the sale of shares to minority investors, has the Mets in position to sign both players, according to Alderson.
“If you had the uncertainty that existed last spring, it would be difficult to make those long-term commitments,” Alderson said. “That’s a fundamental shift. The fact we’re talking about it and talking about retaining our players in a different tone than we were last year should be a positive signal.”
Alderson indicated he wouldn’t be surprised if new contracts with Wright and Dickey were completed “quickly.” But if the Mets can’t complete deals with the players, Alderson said it’s possible trades could be explored.
“Getting these resolved early, and if we were able to do it positively, that would have a salutary effect on everything else in the offseason,” Alderson said. “There are lots of reasons it would be great if these got resolved soon.”
In a broad, state-of-the-team address to close the season, Alderson said he doesn’t foresee the organization making any splashy free-agent acquisitions this offseason, as the team payroll is unlikely to significantly increase from $100 million (the GM said that figure includes money spent on buyouts and players on the 40-man roster). Alderson said he has met with Wilpon and Katz, and various scenarios have been discussed regarding payroll, but no number has been set.
If the Mets stand at $100 million, half that money will be allocated to Johan Santana and Jason Bay, who are owed $50 million combined for next season, including buyouts.
Other than retaining the core players, Alderson’s three-pronged plan for resurrecting the Mets — who finished 74-88 for a fourth straight losing season — include building the farm system and adding players through trades and free agency on a “judicious” basis.
Alderson also said he’s pleased with manager Terry Collins, who is signed through 2013.
“Terry has done a fine job,” Alderson said. “There are going to be questions about whether we’re going to extend him or not, we haven’t had those discussions, we may not for a while, but I’m very pleased with the job Terry did.”
What message will be presented to Wright and Dickey if, before re-signing, they want assurances the franchise is headed in a positive direction?
“I think we’re very definitely headed in the right direction, but at the same time we will not in the near-future have unlimited funds,” Alderson said. “So recognize what our immediate situation is, what we expect to be our mid-and long-term situation and evaluate us on that basis.”
➤ Ike Davis’ 17th solo home run of the season highlighted the Mets’ 4-2 victory over the Marlins that snapped a four-game losing streak. Jeremy Hefner (4-7) allowed two runs over 7 1⁄3 innings. Davis finished with 32 homers and 90 RBIs.
mpuma@nypost.com