MLB

Mets to shorten GM list

Now the real interviews can start.

After Sandy Alderson met with Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and assistant general manager John Ricco again yesterday at Citi Field, the team announced they would begin shortening the list next week for the vacant general-manager’s job and owner Fred Wilpon, along with team president Saul Katz, would join the interview process.

Alderson first talked to Jeff Wilpon and Ricco last Thursday and has remained the leading candidate to take over the reins as general manager, replacing Omar Minaya.

In a statement to fans yesterday, Jeff Wilpon said the list — which currently includes Alderson, White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, former Arizona GM Josh Byrnes, Dodgers assistant GM Logan White, Boston assistant GM and former Kansas City GM Allard Baird and Toronto assistant GM Dana Brown — would be cut next week.

Though it’s not known who will remain on the list — besides Alderson — Hahn and Byrnes were considered the other top candidates before the interviews began.

There still is a possibility the Mets also could pursue Texas GM Jon Daniels, who has an out in his contract after this season. But both Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg and team president Nolan Ryan have said they intend to make sure the Queens native stays put after having guided them to the ALCS.

“We completed the initial round of interviews with six talented candidates to become the new general manager,” Wilpon said in the letter. “All reiterated their desire and interest in pursuing this opportunity. We will be in direct communication with each as we narrow the candidate pool by early next week. We subsequently will invite the leading candidates back to meet with Fred, Saul, and me.”

There’s no word on whether Ricco, who will work for the next GM, is scheduled to remain in the interview process.

Should Alderson meet with Fred Wilpon in the next round, as expected, it is believed that his relationship with commissioner Bud Selig will help his chances.

Alderson has been urged by Selig to pursue the job after working for baseball to overhaul its operations in Latin America.

dan.martin@nypost.com