ORLANDO – The Mets met with Paul Lo Duca’s agent on Monday afternoon, but the free-agent catcher is far from a deal with the team.
Andrew Mongelluzzi, Lo Duca’s agent, confirmed the meeting to The Post yesterday and said that he was led to believe that there were other catching options the Mets wanted to explore first.
“It was just initial discussions regarding Paul returning and the parameters in which that scenario would happen,” Mongelluzzi said, insisting that the two sides were not at an impasse. “I think there’s a lot of work to do to get a deal done.”
The Mets have other possible catching considerations, including free agents Jorge Posada and Yorvit Torrealba – and as The Post initially reported, the Mets have interest in each backstop. They also have had trade discussions with teams about both pitchers and catchers, so it’s possible a deal will emerge on the trade front.
One possible option could be Texas’ Gerald Laird, whom the Rangers would consider moving. Laird, who turns 28 this month, threw out 40 percent of runners trying to steal this past season and 46 percent in 2006. However, he batted just .224 this past season, hitting nine homers in 407 at-bats.
Omar Minaya said he would rather improve the team via trade than free agency.
The Mets like Oakland’s Joe Blanton. They’ve had interest in the righty in the past, though they haven’t talked to the A’s here yet about the soon to be 27-year-old who has won 30 games the last two seasons.
The Mets have talked to the Devil Rays, though they didn’t ask about Scott Kazmir, despite that the Devil Rays would be willing to listen about the prized former Mets prospect. It’s also believed the Mets will be in on trade talks regarding White Sox righties Jon Garland and Jose Contreras. The agents for free-agent righty Jason Jennings are at the GM meetings, though the Mets aren’t very interested.
*
The Mets didn’t meet with agent Scott Boras yesterday and are long shots to get Alex Rodriguez. One member of a competing organization said “there is no need to move any of those main infielders, not a good idea,” noting the Mets “are already dominant offensively” and “need to sign a second baseman and most importantly address their pitching” by getting a top starting pitcher and a good reliever to avoid wearing Aaron Heilman down.
*
Carlos Beltran and David Wright earned Gold Gloves yesterday. Beltran won his second straight, while Wright picked up his first. In a statement, Wright said, “I want to especially thank our coach Sandy Alomar who put in so much extra time this season, hitting me ground ball after ground ball.”
The Mets re-signed Marlon Anderson to a two-year $2.2 million deal (he’ll make $1.05 million in 2008 and $1.15 million in 2009) and rejected options for Jose Valentin and Brian Lawrence.