Omar Minaya confirmed today that the Mets were involved in talks with the Indians about pitcher CC Sabathia before Cleveland shipped Sabathia to the Brewers. Minaya said Indians GM Mark Shapiro called him last month to gauge the Mets’ interest in Sabathia, a rent-a-player in the final year of his contract.

Shapiro told Minaya that the Mets “had the players” — meaning in their much-maligned farm system — to complete a deal for the left-hander.

Minaya, however, ultimately declined because the Mets, who are hovering around .500 but just 3 1/2 games behind the Phillies in the NL East, haven’t decided how aggressive to be in the market before the July 31 trade deadline.