"Francisco Rodriguez is waiting for the Mets to send him a smoke signal concerning his future.

The star closer reaffirmed to The Post yesterday his love for wearing a Mets uniform, but said he also is well aware general manager Sandy Alderson is trying to make him -- or more precisely his $17.5 million vesting option for next season -- disappear.

"I'm waiting for any decision they come up with, and hopefully the decision is they let me stay here and finish my year here, because I want to go nowhere else," Rodriguez said before the Mets' 4-2 loss to the Giants last night in the final game before the All-Star break.

Rodriguez has finished 34 games, putting him on pace for 61 in a full season. He needs only to finish 55 games this season to trigger his 2012 option.

Rodriguez's numbers this season -- hs is 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 23 saves in 26 chances -- make him a commodity for any team needing setup or closing help, but Alderson yesterday said it's too early to say what level of interest other teams might have in trading with the Mets.

"I think that's starting to develop now," Alderson said.

The GM was asked if carrying Rodriguez at $17.5 million for 2012 would cripple the Mets, who are expected to have a payroll in the $120 million range next year. This year's payroll is about $140 million."