The Mets have touched base with representatives for several free-agent pitchers they consider fallback options if they are unable to land a marquee starter in a trade this winter. One of those contingency arms apparently belongs to former Yankee righty Jon Lieber, according to agent Rex Gary. "We've been in contact with the Mets, but as we sit here today it'd be wrong to suggest something is imminent," Gary said last night. "There has been a lot of interest in (Lieber) from other teams. ... but he has absolutely no problem with the idea of pitching in New York. He liked pitching in New York with the Yankees and he likes to win." Lieber, who went 14-8 for the Yankees in 2004 before signing a three-year contract with Philadelphia, was sidelined for the second half of 2007 after needing surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left foot.