After missing out on big free agents last season, the Mets are not wasting any time pursuing them this year.

	Bonds

General manager Steve Phillips intends on calling Barry Bonds' agent before Nov. 20 to say the Mets will pursue the single-season home run king, the New York Daily News reported Friday.

Teams can negotiate with their own free agents exclusively up until Nov. 20, but other teams can pursue free agents up until that date as long as they don't discuss specific terms.

In an interview with Roy Firestone on ESPN's Sunday Conversation, Bonds was asked if he would ever consider playing for the Mets.

"They gave me an open invitation during the season," Bonds said in the interview. "When you get an open invitation from a ballclub during the season then it does become an appealing club to go to."

But the phone call alone will not make things easy for New York. The Daily News reported that Mets co-owner Fred Wilpon has said the team will have to make room on the payroll, and removing expensive players like Todd Zeile or Robin Ventura still might not be enough. Reports this week said Bonds will seek $25 million a year for five years, a steep amount for New York.

The other hurdle for the Mets in trying to land Bonds is his agent, Scott Boras. Boras, who also represents Texas Rangers star Alex Rodriguez, and Phillips had some rocky dealings last season when the Mets were in the hunt for A-Rod. Phillips famously referred to Rodriguez as a potential "24-plus-one guy."

The Mets' other option? Citing a major-league executive, the Daily News reported the Mets have a trade for Brewers outfielder Jeromy Burnitz on the drawing board. Burnitz has been a favorite of manager Bobby Valentine and is a former Met. Burnitz, a left-handed hitter, hit 34 home runs, drove in 100 runs and scored 104 last season, and could complement Mike Piazza in the middle of the lineup.

If the Mets somehow managed to unload both Zeile and Ventura, they would need to replace them. The possible scenarios -- if they can move Zeile and do not sign Bonds, the Mets will pursue the Yankees' Tino Martinez. If they move Ventura, they will likely find a one-year replacement at third base, most likely Vinny Castilla, John Valentin or David Bell. Sources also told the paper the Mets do not plan to pursue Seattle free-agent second baseman Bret Boone.