The Mets and Rick Reed avoided salary arbitration when they agreed yesterday to a one-year, $4.375 million contract for the veteran right-hander.

“I’ve never been in the game for the money,” Reed said in a statement released through the club. “It’s kind of mind-boggling for me that I’m making close to $5 million.”

Reed, 34, earned $1,687,500 from the Mets last season, when he went 11-5 with a 4.58 ERA in 26 games. The Mets’ No. 3 starter behind left-handers Mike Hampton and Al Leiter, Reed was 40-25 the last three seasons.

Armando Benitez, Matt Franco, Pat Mahomes, Rey Ordonez and Turk Wendell are headed for salary arbitration if the Mets are unable to sign them.