Despite missing deadline Mets still talking with Delgado

NEW YORK -- One day after saying the Mets were out, Carlos Delgado's agent said they were back in.

David Sloane, who represents the free-agent first baseman, resumed talks with New York on Monday and said the Mets, Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles remained in contention to sign Delgado.

After the Mets told him Sunday that they needed to have a decision by the end of the night, Sloane said New York had withdrawn, a statement that puzzled the Mets, who said they were waiting to hear back.

On Monday, the sides started taking again.

"I spoke to the Marlins, Mets and Orioles today regarding our respective proposals," Sloane said in an e-mail. "Carlos and I also talked about all three offers. There will be further discussion tomorrow with all the concerned parties."

Texas, which had offered a $48 million, four-year contract, withdrew Sunday, with Delgado saying he wasn't prepared to be a designated hitter most of the time.

Sloane's remarks on Sunday night caught New York by surprise. Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and general manager Omar Minaya had spoken with him and were expecting to hear back.

"Jeff and I spoke to Mr. Sloane tonight, and we let him know we were trying to get a resolution on this matter this evening," Minaya said in a statement. "He said he would convey those thoughts to Carlos, and he would call us back after speaking with Carlos."

Marlins executives declined comment and Orioles officials did not respond to telephone calls.