"The Mets were quick to refute a report claiming they have interest in bringing back Pedro Martinez, saying they have no such intention.

"There's no truth to it," a Mets official said Monday night. "There are no discussions going on (regarding Martinez)."

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported Monday that the Mets have discussed the idea of signing the 38-year-old Martinez, who pitched well for the Phillies after signing in the second half of last season.

Martinez's agent, Fern Cuza, is also the agent for Bengie Molina, the free-agent catcher the Mets are trying to sign. A baseball source surmised that it's likely Cuza raised the subject of Martinez with Mets GM Omar Minaya, but if so, the Mets say that's as far as it went.

Meanwhile, as the wait goes on for the free agents they want most, the Mets passed on the one player practically begging to play for them, as pitcher Jason Marquis agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with the Nationals Monday."