MET NOTES

While the Mets worked frantically to finalize the Billy Wagner contract, it prevented them from making any progress with Bengie Molina.

As of last night, Met GM Omar Minaya still had not returned a phone call that Molina’s agent, Alan Nero, had left on Monday morning.

Minaya made initial offers to the agents for Molina and Ramon Hernandez last week but hasn’t received counter-offers from either as of yesterday afternoon.

A source said nothing was imminent. If that’s true, Minaya’s consecutive press-conference streak will end at two.

Nero intends to make a counter-offer when he speaks with Minaya, who he realized was busy with the Carlos Delgado and Wagner situations. It’s been reported that Minaya hopes to have a catcher before the winter meetings begin Monday.

Molina will possibly receive more offers from other suitors, but isn’t in a hurry to decide, Nero said.

One industry source believed Hernandez is the Mets’ preference, and that the offer to Molina was of a “cover your bases” nature.

But the Mets would be happy with either catcher, a New York-based source reiterated, and will sign the first one who agrees to an offer. They are also still mulling a trade for a catcher.

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The Mets haven’t yet contacted Oakland regarding lefty Barry Zito, who might be shopped. They’ve made no movement on acquiring Javier Vazquez, who was linked to Washington in reports yesterday.

Although the Mets wanted San Diego reliever Akinori Otsuka in the Mike Cameron deal, they don’t believe he’ll be shopped again this winter.

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Manager Willie Randolph announced that Sandy Alomar, the bench coach last season, will switch places with Jerry Manuel, last year’s first-base coach.

Third-base coach Manny Acta is interviewing for the Dodger managerial vacancy.

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Wagner said former Mets Ron Hodges and Mike Cubbage, who are friends of the new Met reliever, helped sell him on New York. Minaya cited another secret weapon: James Plummer, the team’s director of corporate relations.

Plummer was raised near Wagner in Virginia and knew Billy’s uncle, Kokie. When Wagner visited Shea, they spoke about their similar background.

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Wagner is listed at 5-foot-11 and throws 100 mph. How? According to pitching coach Rick Peterson, excellent mechanics matter more than size.

“Indy 500 cars happen to go faster than big stretch limos,” Peterson said.

Peterson wasn’t at yesterday’s news conference at Shea, but he called Wagner “one of the premier pitchers” in the game and explained the late-inning dread that teams feel about facing a great closer.

“It permeates in the clubhouse and translates into the dugout,” Peterson said. “It’s a sick feeling.”