MLB

Mets roster to remain budget-friendly

The first bold proclamation by the Mets’ new regime came from general manager Sandy Alderson’s lips yesterday.

“I can guarantee you we will come back with some new players,” Alderson said, discussing his plans for next week’s Winter Meetings.

Then came the punch line.

“I can’t guarantee you how high-profile they will be,” Alderson said.

In other words, forget about Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth or anybody who stands to receive a significant contract. While Alderson’s Yankees counterpart, Brian Cashman, might depart Lake Buena Vista, Fla., with a shiny new Rolls Royce, Alderson is thinking in terms of salvaging an abandoned car or two off cinderblocks as he attempts to keep the payroll close to last year’s $130 million level.

The Mets have been linked to free agents Chris Young and Jeff Francis, both of whom have had arm trouble in recent seasons, but Alderson said he has not extended an offer to either starting pitcher. Alderson intends to pursue a backup catcher, bullpen help and spare parts for the outfield.

All that — on the cheap — and still contend for the playoffs in 2011.

“We don’t have a lot of money to fill out the last five or six spots on our 25-man roster,” Alderson said. “I would say not a lot of flexibility, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be optimistic and competitive about next season.

“I do think next [offseason] will present a different set of opportunities, but right now our focus is on 2011. How we’re going to fill out the rest of our roster and be as good as we can be.”

Alderson is thinking in terms of one-year deals for any free agent he pursues. The GM admitted that reliever Pedro Feliciano, who declined arbitration earlier in the week, is unlikely to be re-signed because the lefty likely will have multiyear offers elsewhere.

On the starting rotation front, Alderson said there is a good chance he’ll try to add two starters to join Mike Pelfrey, R.A. Dickey and Jon Niese, as Johan Santana recovers from shoulder surgery and might not be ready until the summer. Other than Young and Francis, the Mets could pursue help from a list that includes Kevin Millwood, Vincente Padilla and Brandon Webb.

“Depending on dollars, there’s no reason to have fewer rather than more,” Alderson said. “Our starting rotation right now, there are question marks even in some of the starting pitchers that we have. The more that we can get, the better off we will be.”

That could include giving Oliver Perez, who is owed $12 million, another shot. Alderson and manager Terry Collins intend to watch Perez pitch in Mexico this month.

“I see [Perez] coming to spring training,” Alderson said. “He’s pitching in Mexico. Let’s see where that goes.”

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If Luis Castillo isn’t unloaded, he will be part of a competition at second base for the starting job, according to Alderson. Castillo was displaced by Ruben Tejada for most of last season. . . . Alderson intends to interview several candidates for the coaching staff at the Winter Meetings. The Mets still have not named a bench coach, hitting coach, first base coach and bullpen coach. . . . There are no plans to move in the fences at Citi Field to make the ballpark more hitter friendly.

mpuma@nypost.com