The Mets are reportedly interested in Rich Harden and Joe Blanton. The club had been in discussions with Oakland, but those discussions came before its general manager, Billy Beane, arrived here Wednesday afternoon for baseball?s winter meetings. Minaya would not confirm his interest in any particular player but he might have alluded to the two Oakland pitchers when he said of the starting pitching market, ?Some guys have emerged who I didn?t know were available until I got here.? The early discussions were exploratory, with no deal imminent considering the magnitude of the players being discussed. In speaking with a group of reporters shortly after arriving, Beane, when asked about Harden?s availability, said, ?I?d approach me on that one.? Asked about Blanton he added, ?I?d approach me on that one, too.?