The offensive shortfall against left-handed pitching that afflicted the Mets in late summer has been addressed, so too the situation involving Tom Glavine. The Mets announced Monday two moves that had been widely anticipated -- the signing of Alou and their decision not to exercise their option in Glavine's contract. Alou, 40, came as a free agent, signing a contract worth $8.5 million that covers next season and includes a club option for 2008. And because the club didn't exercise the option on Glavine's contract, the veteran pitcher no longer is a provisional free agent. He is a free agent, period. The Mets were put off by the age of neither player and still hope to re-sign Glavine. They expect him to decide on his immediate baseball future -- whether to pitch for them or the Braves next season -- before the beginning of the Dec. 4-7 Winter Meetings. Whatever his decision, the club still will need to address its starting pitching. Signing Alou, a right-handed hitter with a history of abusing left-handed pitching, certainly addressed the team's second-greatest need.