The Mets are close to presenting free agent catcher Bengie Molina a contract offer. That offer may come as soon as today. Molina's agent, Alan Nero, refused to say the Mets have already made his client an offer, although Nero admitted having conversation with Mets. "It's been very preliminary," Nero said yesterday. "Bengie has an interest [in the Mets] and we feel that Bengie is the best catcher out there." What does that translate into money-wise? Possibly $8 million per season for the career .273 hitter, who batted .295 with 15 homers and 69 RBIs last season. Industry sources expect Molina to command somewhere between the Red Sox's Jason Varitek's $9.925 million average and the Phillies' Mike Lieberthal's $7.1 million average. Other catchers available are free agent Ramon Hernandez and the Marlins' Paul LoDuca, who has two years and $12.5 million remaining on his contract.