Joe Torre has flirted with the Mets' manager job this week and then publicly attempted to distance himself, but many people in baseball believe his interest is significant. "I've been hearing he had his eye on the Mets since April," said one longtime baseball man who has known Torre for years. "He would love to come back to New York," said another front-office man who once worked with Torre. "He loves money. He loves being a manager. And he loves New York," said a third executive who goes back years with Torre.