Paul Lo Duca’s career with the Mets isn’t necessarily finished yet.
The catcher’s agent indicated yesterday discussions are ongoing that would put Lo Duca back behind the plate for the Mets next season.
But with the Yankees’ Jorge Posada and Colorado’s Yorvit Torrealba among the catchers who have filed for free agency, the Mets also don’t seem in any hurry to extend an offer to Lo Duca.
“Honestly, I believe the Mets are considering all of their options at this point,” Lo Duca’s agent, Andrew Mongelluzi, wrote in an e-mail to The Post.
“I believe that they will take their time and allow the market to develop. I cannot be sure whether Paul is their first choice at this point.”
Mets GM Omar Minaya has indicated he still has interest in the 35-year-old Lo Duca, who hit .272 with nine homers and 54 RBIs for the Mets last season. The Mets do not have a catcher under contract. Backups Ramon Castro, Mike DiFelice and Sandy Alomar Jr. have also filed for free agency.
Lo Duca, whom the Mets acquired for two minor-leaguers in a trade with the Marlins before the 2006 season, made $6.25 million in 2007.
On the Posada front, a report yesterday quoted an anonymous source who indicated Posada had already settled on returning to the Yankees and not having genuine interest in the Mets. But Posada’s agent, Seth Levinson, rejected the idea that someone was accurately speaking for his client.
“Jorge has not and will not comment on negotiations until an agreement is in place,” Levinson told The Post last night. “Any anonymous comments attributed to those close to Posada are fallacious and spurious.”
Posada praised new Yankees manager Joe Girardi in a statement last night, saying, “Girardi was my mentor and he always taught me the value of having a great work ethic. Most importantly, he taught me how to perform at high level year in and year out.”
Posada also indicated in the statement that nothing had been determined as far as his future: “The 2007 season was difficult and bittersweet for all of us. Right now I am evaluating my options,” he said.
mpuma@nypost.com
