Omar Minaya had identical offers dangling to free-agent catchers Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez two winters ago when the Mets GM abruptly yanked both from the table. Within days, the Mets - who already had taken on the contracts of Carlos Delgado and Billy Wagner in November - obtained catcher Paul Lo Duca from the dismantling Florida Marlins, as ownership implored Minaya and crew to curtail further spending. The bargain price: promising minor-league pitcher Gaby Hernandez and the two years and $12.5 million left on Lo Duca's contract, half the obligation it would have taken to land either free agent. But the front office never fully embraced the move and, even before the latest media flare-up, has been paving the way to replace Lo Duca after the season, once the 35-year-old catcher's contract expires. Lo Duca's desire for an extension was rebuffed during spring training, and according to a National League official, the Mets are laying the groundwork for a potential winter trade for Pittsburgh's Ronny Paulino. Other than Lo Duca, the free-agent catcher class is an uninspiring lot headed by Jorge Posada, Michael Barrett, Brad Ausmus and Jason Kendall.