MIAMI – Co-owner Fred Wilpon has entrusted GM Steve Phillips to turn around the Mets. Ultimately, Phillips will decide on what moves the team makes before next Tuesday’s trade deadline.
But it’s unlikely Phillips will deal ace Al Leiter. Wilpon also doesn’t want to see Leiter go.
“He’s a terrific guy and I hope he’ll be a Met for the rest of his career,” Wilpon told The Post yesterday.
So the Astros and Red Sox may continue to be brought up in connection with Leiter – but as the dash to next Tuesday’s trade deadline continues, don’t expect Leiter to go anywhere, sources said.
“[Wilpon] pays the bills, and even though Steve is the player-personnel guy, I get comfort in knowing that the owner likes me and hopes I finish my career as a Met,” said the 35-year-old Leiter, who next year will be in the final season of a four-year, $32 million deal.
But there are Mets who could be on the go as Phillips worked the phones yesterday. The GM said things are still alive with 10 teams.
However after yesterday, big-time offensive production might have to wait until the offseason. Royals outfielder Jermaine Dye and Rockies shortstop Neifi Perez would’ve been good fits – but both reportedly were headed to other teams last night.
Phillips had called Royal GM Allard Baird and Rockie GM Dan O’Dowd about each, but there were no matches, according to sources.
A deal sending Dye to Oakland and Perez to K.C. in a three-team trade was pending last night. The Rockies were to obtain two minor-leaguers.
So Phillips again will work the phones today. Before the deadline, he is expected to deal the 38-year-old Dennis Cook, a free agent at the end of the year, to a contender. Phillips also is listening on offers for Turk Wendell and Rick White, sources said yesterday.
The Phillies have interest in Wendell. The Marlins like the cheaper White. He threw three scoreless innings against them in Florida’s 4-3 win over the Mets last night.
Phillips said other teams in the NL East seem hesitant to trade in the division.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” said Phillips.
The Mets still could have interest in Diamondback shortstop Tony Womack, even though Womack is now on the DL. The deal would send Rey Ordonez to Arizona in an exchange of one bad contract for another.
Womack, who is having an off year, is in the midst of a four-year, $17 million. Ordonez is in the middle of a four-year, $19 million deal. Womack’s hitting .234.
The Mets wouldn’t mind freeing themselves of Todd Zeile’s contract as well. Zeile will be in the final year of three-year, $18 million next season.
Like Dye, the White Sox’ Magglio Ordonez is a 27-year-old outfielder who would fit the Mets’ offensive needs. But Chicago GM Kenny Williams is said to be asking for too much.
The Phillies pursued Wendell as a free agent this offseason. But after investing in Jose Mesa ($6.8M for two years) and Rheal Cormier ($8.75M for three), the Phils had no more money. Now they feel they can take on the rest of Wendell’s $9.4 million three-year contract.
Despite his rocky season, the 34-year-old Wendell still owns value for the Mets. The innings in his arm are irreplaceable.
But the Mets know they must get a little younger. Wendell will be 36 during the final season of his contract.
The Marlins could add White, who makes $1.15 million, as a cheaper addition than Wendell.