NEW YORK -- The New York Mets' streak of avoiding salary arbitration might come to an end this winter.

	Benitez

The Mets exchanged figures Tuesday with their five players eligible for arbitration, and the team remained far apart with closer Armando Benitez on a deal for the 2000 season.

Benitez, who went 4-3 with a 1.85 ERA and 22 saves in his first season with New York, asked for $4.9 million, while the Mets offered $3.25 million. Benitez made $2,037,500 last season.

"The only one that was surprising was Benitez," New York general manager Steve Phillips said. "That was extremely surprising. We haven't talked to his agent yet to find out what he was thinking about. I don't want to predict what might happen."

The Mets have settled all of their arbitration cases since 1992 before going to hearings. That year, New York went to arbitration with David Cone, Kevin Elster and Jeff Innis.

"The preference is to try to get the deal done before filing," Phillips said. "Once the numbers are filed, I'd prefer not to go to a hearing but we have to do what is best for the organization. It's more business than baseball or personal."

Phillips was more confident in the team's chances of settling with its four cases.

Shortstop Rey Ordonez, who made $1.675 million in 2000, asked for $3.5 million, while the Mets offered $2.5 million. Ordonez hit .258 with one homer and 60 RBI last year while winning his third consecutive Gold Glove.

Reliever Turk Wendell, who made $1,214,998 last year, asked for $2.15 million, while the team offered $1.85 million. Wendell went 5-4 with three saves and a 3.05 ERA in 80 relief appearances in 1999.

Right-hander Pat Mahomes, who made $310,000 last season, asked for $940,000, while the team offered $625,000. Mahomes went 8-0 with a 3.68 ERA in 39 relief appearances in 1999 and is in the running for the fifth spot in the Mets' rotation this year.

Infielder Matt Franco, who made $250,000 last year, asked for $500,000, while the Mets offered $425,000. Franco hit .235 with four homers and 21 RBI in 1999 when he was used mostly as a pinch hitter.

Last week, the Mets avoided arbitration with starter Rick Reed, agreeing to a $4,375,000, one-year deal with the right-hander.