Because it is September at Shea, the dominant thoughts do not involve a pennant race. Instead, the Mets go into the final month of the regular season stinking and thinking about next year.

So, today when the Marlins’ Carl Pavano takes the mound in Flushing, those still left watching and listening to Mets games can dream about the righthander pitching for their team next season. Pavano is expected to be the cream of the off-season free-agent crop, with the crosshairs of both New York baseball teams fixed on him and his 28-year-old mercenary arm.

Pavano, who grew up in Connecticut and admits to being more of a Yankees fan than a Mets follower, said he would embrace the possibility of returning home to pitch for one of the locals. But because he still has a month – maybe more – left to play this season, his concentration cannot be splintered with thoughts about where he may end up next year.

Surrounded by his Florida teammates, Pavano is not yet thinking about free agency. But that doesn’t mean Met fans can’t.

“It doesn’t work to my advantage to think that far into the future,” Pavano said last night before the Marlins beat the Mets 5-4. “I mean, it’s a conscious thought that would be in anyone’s head, but from a team perspective, I want to win.

“We still have some work to do,” Pavano said. “So that’s my main focus. If I focus on things or decisions that individually I’m going to have to make in the future, it would be very selfish of me.”

With a sparkling 15-5 record and 2.99 ERA, Pavano has put together a season any pitcher in the Met rotation would envy. His 15 wins are second-best in the NL, and his ERA numbers rank him sixth in the league.

“I like Florida,” Pavano said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s my top choice, so hopefully things will work out.”

But that doesn’t mean Met fans can’t dream about Pavano pitching for their team next September. Because at this point, next year is all they’ve got.