GM acknowledges talks, but Mets decline to discuss contract

NEW YORK — As the Mets strained to move closer to a berth in the postseason, the man most responsible for shaping their roster and their future has moved closer to being rewarded for his work. Omar Minaya, appointed as general manager and executive vice president of baseball operations nearly four years ago, is in position to have his contract extended.

Minaya acknowledged as much Tuesday night, hours after several reports said he had agreed to a contract extension or that he was on the verge of doing so. And a person in position to know the Mets’ maneuvering acknowledged to MLB.com that Minaya and the club were close to a new agreement, and said he would be surprised if the deal were not completed this week.

Announcement of an extension is another matter. Minaya said if an agreement were in place, it wouldn’t be announced until after the Mets’ season was complete. Mostly, he talked around the information in the reports and spoke of his relationship with chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon.

“I do have a contract through next year,” the GM said, “so it’s not a big thing. Me and Jeff have a great relationship, and there’s been lots of dialogue about a lot of things.”

The club declined to discuss publicly a report by ESPN early Tuesday evening that stated the club was working on a four-year extension of the five-year contract Minaya signed Sept 30, 2004. The report didn’t say whether the contract would take effect immediately after it is signed or whether it will cover the four-year period beginning next September. But if the agreement is consistent with the existing contract, it probably would expire after the 2014 season.

The Mets have produced a winning record in each of their four seasons under Minaya’s general managership, winning 83, 97 and 88 games under the GM’s chosen manager, Willie Randolph. New York has an 87-70 record, achieved with Randolph managing 69 games before being replaced by Jerry Manuel. Minaya reiterated that Manuel’s contract situation will be addressed after the season. The manager said the topic never was broached during his meeting with owner Fred Wilpon before the game.

Under Minaya, the Mets have spent lavishly to bring in players such as Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran and Johan Santana. They reached the threshold of the World Series in 2006, but a collapse last season denied them a return to the postseason. Injuries have undermined them this year, but they lead the National League Wild Card race and are 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Philliies in the NL East.

Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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