The discussions and rumor mills are in gear. Who should the Mets sign in this subpar free-agent class?

Outfielder Matt Holliday and pitcher Roy Halladay appear to be the players Mets fans covet.  Maybe they should look beyond these two.

First, let’s shelve Halladay, unless the Mets are willing to send newly minted No. 1 prospect (Baseball America) Jenrry Mejia, No. 4 Ike Davis, a player off the 25-man roster, lefty Jon Niese and loads of cash to Toronto.  If Mets GM Omar Minaya wants Halladay, wait until he is a free-agent after the 2010 season.

As far as Holliday is concerned, the 29-year-old – he will play at 30 in 2010 – flourished in the thin air of Colorado during his five seasons with the Rockies.  His biggest seasons were 2006 (.326, 45 doubles, 34 homers, 114 RBIs)   and 2007 (.340, 50 doubles, 36 homers, 137 RBIs).

His 2008 was solid as well (.321, 25 homers, 88 RBIs).

But 2009 was a bit different. Though the native of Stillwater, Okla., hit 24 homers and drove in 109 runs, his production did drop in the bigger ballparks of Oakland and St. Louis. He might have similar issues in Citi Field.

There is little doubt, with Scott Boras calling the shots, that Holliday will sign wherever the highest dollars are offered.  Boras, as could be expected, is comparing Holliday to Mark Texeira and wants that type of money for his client.

Is he worth an eight-year, $180 million pact equal to that of Texeira?  He’ll play in 2010 at 30 and had his defensive lapses for St.Louis in the NLCS.  A four- or five-year deal seems reasonable, and not at Texeira money.

An alternative is Jason Bay, who has also been a favorite of some. He will play the 2010 season at 30, turning 31 at the end of the season. The native of Trail, B.C., is coming off an excellent season in Boston, batting .267 with 36 homers and 119 RBIs.  Defensively, he has proven better than Holliday.

What the Mets need even more is starting pitching, with righty John Lackey the star of this free-agent pitching class.  The native of Abilene, Texas, a 31-year-old who was 102-71 in eight seasons with the Angels, is the type of battler who would be the perfect No. 2 starter for the Mets.

Minaya is also interested in veteran righty Joel Pineiro, who is 87-79 in his 10-season career with Seattle, Boston and St. Louis. His 15-12, 3.49 with St. Louis in 2009 was his best campaign since his 16-11, 3.78 with Seattle in 2003. He would be a good fit for the Mets as a No. 3-4 starter for a season or two.

And if Minaya wants catcher Bengie Molina, go get the 34-year-old veteran, who hit 20 homers for San Francisco last season. His moxie would greatly help Mets pitchers.

The Mets have the money to spend on Holliday if they wish, but don’t expect him to be any savior if he lands in Citi Field. It does not look like the Mets have enough to trade for Halladay, nor, with control, why would he approve a trade when he can walk after 2010?

Free-agency is no “holiday’’ this year.

Tags: Bengie Molina, Citi Field, Hot Stove, Jason Bay, Joel Pineiro, John Lackey, Los Angeles Angels, Matt Holliday, New York Mets, Omar Minaya, Roy Halladay, San Francisco Giants, Scott Boras, St Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays