With Julio Franco's signing becoming official yesterday — the 47-year-old first baseman inked a two-year deal for $2.2 million — the Met reserves are essentially stocked.

"It's pretty much set," GM Omar Minaya said last night on a conference call. "But you always need to leave yourself open to ideas and what's available out there."

At least right now the crew would appear to be Franco, infielders Jose Valentin and Chris Woodward, catcher Ramon Castro and perhaps some combination of outfielder Tike Redman, outfielder/first baseman Xavier Nady and outfielder Victor Diaz.

Although the Met roster is quickly becoming complete, Minaya said he is "working on all fronts." He insisted that he wants to improve the pitching staff. Minaya would like to add a top starter and needs to find a few relievers to join Billy Wagner and Aaron Heilman.

With that in mind, the Mets have made an offer to free-agent reliever Octavio Dotel, according to agent Dan Horwits. But despite the proposal, the Mets are not a strong candidate for the hard-throwing righty. The team is also interested in righty Julian Tavarez and has had talks with the Devil Rays about Danys Baez.

As for starters, the Mets have talked to teams about Kris Benson (interested parties include the Royals, Orioles and Giants) and Steve Trachsel. They are interested in Arizona's Javier Vazquez, though it's believed that other contenders for him include the Braves, Red Sox, White Sox and Cubs.

At second base, the Mets have interest in free agents Mark Grudzielanek and Tony Graffanino. The Mets have talked to the Devil Rays about Kaz Matsui, but a trade there may depend on whether Tampa trades Julio Lugo or decides to pass on available free-agent shortstops. As for Grudzielanek, the Padres, Rangers and Royals are also in on the second baseman.

The 47-year-old Franco, who batted .275 with nine homers this past year in Atlanta, is the oldest man playing in the big leagues. He doesn't plan to stop until at least another three years.

"I've been saying I want to play until I'm 50 and that's my goal," Franco said.

Minaya said he believed that giving Franco a two-year pact was required to secure him. Franco's career could also be extended into the Met organization once he's done playing.

The two players to be named later that went to the Marlins for Paul Lo Duca are A-ball righty Gaby Hernandez and A-ball outfielder Dante Brinkley.