From MIKE PUMA

On a conference call to introduce Tim Redding as the newest member of the Mets’ pitching staff, Omar Minaya made it sound as if Pedro Martinez only has a chance of returning if the GM’s top three choices — Derek Lowe, Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf — sign elsewhere. Martinez, a free agent, last week told The Post his first choice is to remain with the Mets.

“Pedro is one of the guys who is still under consideration, but right now, the way it is, we’re dealing with some other guys,” Minaya said. “Is he an option? He’s in a pool, but that’s where he falls right now.

“We’re in a position, that with the guys that are out there, the guys we are looking at, if we add one of those guys on the list, we feel real good going into the year.”