So while Mets fans still might dream about Manny Ramirez, Barry Zito and Javier Vazquez, they could sooner see Jose Valentin, Mark Sweeney and Octavio Dotel in Flushing - even if they shouldn't permanently eliminate the front-line players from the radar. Minaya indicated Carlos Delgado's signing settled the lineup and is allowing him to let things develop with big-name players while he surveys the landscape.

"Getting the extra big bat is not a priority because of Delgado," he said. "I'll be searching. When we get there I don't know."

Even with Aaron Heilman in the bullpen, the Mets still have six starters - Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Kris Benson, Steve Trachsel, Victor Zambrano and Jae Seo. Still, Minaya said he would like to add a front-line pitcher, then worry about dealing with the excess. He wouldn't mind having as many as seven capable starters at spring training.

Minaya likened his pursuit of another top-of-the-rotation starter to a bachelor seeking a date at the bar. Keep asking, and ask enough people, and someone might just say yes - though get used to rejection.

"I've been around long enough," he said. "That's where patience comes in."

Benson's name surfaced in trade talks with the Royals yesterday. A Kansas City insider said the Mets were seeking both closer Mike MacDougal and lefthander Jeremy Affeldt, while the Royals were said to be willing to part with MacDougal or Affeldt and a prospect for Benson, but not both players. While a Royals official portrayed a deal as likely to be consummated, Mets officials said the potential for a deal is unlikely.

With Benson's name circulating in trade talks - the Rangers (who met with Minaya yesterday), Cardinals and Orioles are believed to have interest, even if no matches might exist right now - Minaya called the pitcher yesterday. The GM said he told Benson he's not looking to deal him and that his wife Anna's modeling career - she had spoken to Playboy - would not fuel any potential trade, a concern raised in Monday's Daily News. Minaya did not guarantee Benson that he would be back with the Mets, though he said other clubs were initiating the dialogue. "I don't give anybody assurances. I told him I'm very happy with the job he did last year," Minaya said about Benson.

Minaya would not discuss individual prospects, but he seemed to suggest he wouldn't hesitate to include Lastings Milledge in any deal. The GM said about acquiring a top-notch player: "If you're going to get quality, you've got to give quality."

He disputed any suggestion the minor-league system had been depleted by his trades with the Marlins, mentioning pitchers Brian Bannister, unsigned 2005 first-round pick Mike Pelfrey, 2004 first rounder Philip Humber (who should be back in mid-'06 because of Tommy John surgery) and Cuban defector Alay Soler. He added that the Mets had internally rated other pitchers higher than those shipped to the Marlins - Gaby Hernandez and Yusmeiro Petit.

SEE YA: The Mets plan to officially part with Miguel Cairo, Braden Looper and Mike Piazza at tonight's deadline to offer arbitration, but remain in dialogue with Roberto Hernandez. Their efforts to retain him have been hampered by the skyrocketing salaries for late-inning relievers. Texas is among those pursuing Hernandez.... The Mets have continued to speak with Wally Backman about their Double-A managerial opening, even though Backman - who is at the winter meetings - recently expressed pessimism they would extend an offer....David Wright will host a charity fund-raiser on Dec. 16 at the Member's Club at the New York Stock Exchange to benefit multiple sclerosis research. The wife of Wright's agent, ex-Met Keith Miller, is afflicted with MS. For more information visit davidwrightfoundation.com or call Erica at 917-301-9881.