While the Mets obviously want to be able to make other team decisions if they do not sign Delgado, they also told Sloane that they wanted to resolve the situation before their annual winter caravan begins today.

"We have a winter caravan, where we go to 53 communities in the upper Midwest, and a Twinfest in January and February," St. Peter, the Twins executive, said.

Still, Alfonzo has not attended the team's winter caravans, publicity events held each January, because he plays winter ball in Venezuela.

It was that kind of afternoon as the Mets started their winter caravan inside the Theater at the Garden.

The Mets did not hold their winter caravan, an annual weeklong tour of the city to drum up interest for the coming season.

He was also one of the last players to agree to join the team's winter caravan in Manhattan this week, another sign that he was trying to stay incognito as he tried toning his mammoth frame.

The Mets wanted a resolution before today's start of their annual winter caravan.

Duquette asked the Mets to include Montefiore as part of their winter caravan because of the care with which they treated his daughter's kidney ailment.

Most of the Mets gathered at an art gallery in Lower Manhattan yesterday afternoon, greeting reporters as the team began its winter caravan.

Managers Hit the Road Some clubs are trying to carry on business as usual, including their annual winter caravans or promotional appearances by club personnel.