" Carlos Delgado's days in a Mets uniform may not be over just yet.

General manager Omar Minaya said Friday he plans to travel to Puerto Rico next month to watch Delgado play in winter ball and has not ruled out re-signing him to play first base in 2010. The 37-year-old free agent is coming off hip surgery and an oblique injury that limited him to just 26 games last season.

Delgado would have to show that he is healthy and would likely have to accept a low guaranteed or incentive-heavy contract to return to Flushing. And the Mets will no doubt consider other options, including their own Daniel Murphy , to start at first base. But Minaya's interest in monitoring Delgado's progress makes it clear that another season with the Mets is not out of the question.

The Mets face far more critical questions this offseason than whether to bring back Delgado, namely how they will add more power to their lineup and whether they will acquire a legitimate No. 2 starting pitcher. But teams cannot negotiate with free agents other than their own until Nov. 20.

Minaya has expressed interest in two of the top free agents available, left fielder Matt Holliday and pitcher John Lackey , but it's too early to tell how high the bidding will go for them and whether it will be too high for the Mets."