LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Mets want to know if Johan Santana still loves them.
According to an industry source, team officials met with the free-agent lefty’s representatives on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings and were interested in knowing whether Santana’s first choice for 2014 would be a return to the Mets.
But team officials were told it’s still too early in the process to determine if the Mets would be his preference. Though Santana missed two of the final three seasons of his $137.5 million contract with the club, he probably wouldn’t take a deep discount for a return to the Mets, sources said.
Last month, the Mets bought out the final year of Santana’s contract for $5.5 million. Any attempt by the Mets to sign Santana would likely be to a contract with a low base salary laden with incentives.
The Mets are one of at least seven teams with interest in Santana, who is recovering from a second surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his left shoulder. Santana has been long-tossing and is expected to begin throwing off a mound next month.
Daniel Murphy, Chris Young and Ruben Tejada could join Eric Young Jr. as considerations to bat first, according to manager Terry Collins, if the Mets don’t make a move for a leadoff hitter.
“But until I see what the pieces are in the clubhouse, I don’t want to write a lineup until the end of February,” Collins said.
Curtis Granderson said he chose uniform No. 3 because it represents his birth month — March. With the Yankees, he wore No. 14, but the Mets have that number retired in Gil Hodges’ honor.
The Mets signed Jeremy Hefner to a minor league contract, a source confirmed. Hefner, who was non-tendered by the Mets last week, underwent Tommy John surgery last summer and isn’t expected back pitching before August.
Mets officials have chatted with pitcher Paul Maholm’s agent, but are unlikely to seriously pursue the free-agent lefty, according to a source. Freddy Garcia was also discussed by Mets officials. … The team has some interest in veteran shortstop Cesar Izturis as a potential backup infielder, according to sources.