According to Mark Hale of the New York Post, the Mets seem to be focusing their attention on free agent pitchers. Omar Minaya met with the agent of RHP Livan Hernandez yesterday, and were set to meet with the agents of RHP Octavio Dotel and Shawn Chacon as well.

Hale also reports that the Mets, who made the second round of bidding for Japanese RHP Hiroki Kuroda, are not one of the finalists. The four teams remaining are the Mariners, Royals, Dodgers and Diamondbacks.

At this point, this is the right decision by Omar. Although we would all like to see a top of the rotation free agent starter acquired, the chances of this happened seem slim, thus Minaya now needs to go to plan B.

Steve Popper of the Bergen Record is reporting that Mets general manager Omar Minaya will meet with the agent’s for pitchers Octavio Dotel and Shawn Chacon tonight.

Dan Graziano of the Star Ledger reports that the Mets have asked about Dontrelle Willis, Ben Sheets, and Roy Oswalt and were told none of them are available. The Mets also have interest in Bartolo Colon and continue to view Livan Hernandez as a secondary pitcher after they try to land a front end starter. The Phillies, Cardinals, Nationals, and Astros have interest in Livan as well.

Omar Minaya is set to meet with Octavio Dotel and Shawn Chacon agents today.

Bugs and Cranks lists five deals that the Mets could, and should, make.

The first deal suggested is Fernando Martinez, John Maine and Jason Vargas to Oakland for Dan Haren.

While I think the Mets have a much better shot at getting Santana than Haren, and would get a better deal because Haren is signed to a very affordable contract through 2009, with a club option for 2010, I don’t know that the Mets need to give up Maine to get him. Perhaps the fact that Haren’s deal is so good that the A’s will require a bit more in return.

Haren was 15-9 with a 3.07 ERA in 222 2/3 IP last season. Santana went 15-13 with a 3.33 ERA in 219 IP.

The second deal suggested is Johnny Estrada, Joe Smith, Aaron Heilman and Kevin Mulvey to Baltimore for Ramon Hernandez and Erik Bedard

I would only make this deal unless the Mets made the next deal that is suggested, which is getting Octavio Dotel and Shawn Chacon. I would be perfectly happy if Mulvey was able to put up the numbers Bedard has, but you need to plug in the two gaping holes this deal leaves in your bullpen. Ramon Hernandez is also a very nice upgrade over Estrada.

The next deal is to sign Mike Cameron and Tony Clark.

I don’t see this realistically happening. I think Clark would be a nice addition to our bench, and would fit in nicely as a backup for Delgado at first base, but I don’t think you can reasonably have Cameron as another outfielder on this team, it simply does not fit. The right field position should belong to Lastings Milledge next year. Not to mention Cameron is set to serve a drug suspension that will have him missing time to begin with. Pass.

The last and least likely deal suggested is Lastings Milledge, Mike Pelfrey, B-level prospect and high draft pick for Scott Kazmir.

Dream on, Mets fans. Never gonna happen. Our best shot at ever getting Kazmir back is via free agency, when he’s way too expensive for the Rays to hold onto. The Mets will then have to prove they’re able to go head to head with the Yankees when he becomes available in 2010.

The Devil Rays might look to trade him to get something in return, but I don’t see that happening until he’s a year away at the most. He’s too valuable to them now, and it doesn’t make sense moving him yet, unless they’re absolutely blown away by what someone is offering in a trade. This deal probrobly wouldn’t even come close to getting it done.

I have to admit, I laugh at 99% of the deal people call into WFAN with, they always come up with deals that benefit the Mets and do nothing for the other team. The Haren deal in my opinion is the one the A’s are most likely to accept, and the best offer they’ve come up with here, in my opinion. I’m just not sure the Mets would be willing to deal Maine.

Mark Hale in the New York Post reports that the Mets are discussing the possibility of bringing over Octavio Dotel and Shawn Chacon to bolster their bullpen.

The Mets also are showing interest in two free-agent pitchers, Octavio Dotel and Shawn Chacon.

“Both these guys have interest in them,” agent Dan Horwits said, “and they have interest in both these guys.”

Dotel went 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA this past season with the Royals and Braves. Chacon went 5-4 with a 3.94 ERA for the Pirates this past season and can both relieve and start.