The Mets  have called, not one, but two press conferences this week.

On Wednesday, they will introduce Francisco Rodriguez to the media at the team’s holiday party which will take place at the Citi Building in Long Island City. “Santa” Mike Pelfrey, John Maine and Jerry Manuel will also be there.

Then on Thursday at Citi Field, Joseph Jason Putz will have his introductory press conference.

So it will be a full week for the Mets. And we will have live reports.

Also PBC returns on Thursday at 9 p.m to recap the week.

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I was thinking about this at breakfast: If the Mets were to sign just one free agent, who would it be? Immediately, I discarded CC Sabathia, K-Rod and Manny Ramirez, because I don’t see them paying that much.

They need bullpen help, and you could look at it a couple of ways. One, is to get reliable starters to shave the BP innings, and if Maine comes back healthy, they’ll have three. Should they sign Lowe, theoretically that’s four reliable starters, which cuts the BP innings, but still leaves you vulnerable on a fifth day and in the ninth inning throughout.

So, if I’m forced to pick one, I’m going with the closer. I know it’s tempting to think K-Rod, but my confidence level in him is he’ll break down. The next best closer on the market is Brian Fuentes. No Mariano Rivera, but who is?

My choice, if to sign just one free agent, is to go with Fuentes to plug the leak in the ninth inning. Seven games got away. If all else remains equal and Fuentes cuts that in half, that should put them ahead of the Phillies.

Remember, this exercise is about adding just one player. If you have somebody different, let’s hear it.

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The Mets did the right thing when Jerry Manuel shut down John Maine down the stretch.

“They told me it was the biggest one they’d ever removed, the biggest one they’d ever seen,” Maine said of the bone spur removed from his right shoulder. “They couldn’t believe I could throw with that in there.”

Maine said it was the size of a softball.

Nobody knows had Maine tried to work out of the pen if the spur would have rubbed against and/or torn a muscle or ligament. Instead, he’s now anxious to get going. He said he feels great and wants to start throwing immediately, but won’t until December.

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John Maine underwent successful arthroscopic shoulder surgery today at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery. Mets Medical Director Dr. David Altchek and Mets Team Physician Struan Coleman removed a lesion from the back of his shoulder socket.

The Mets said Maine will begin throwing again in December.

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The Mets were 55-38 under Jerry Manuel, a record good enough to bring him back. GM Omar Minaya is meeting with ownership today about Manuel’s contract. An announcement could be made this week, perhaps as soon as tomorrow.

Minaya on Manuel: “Jerry did a very good job in a tough situation, overcoming injuries to [John] Maine and Billy [Wagner]. … I was very pleased with the job he did.”

I’ve been saying Manuel should return. Agree? Disagree?

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Word is Jerry Manuel is saying “no” to John Maine and won’t let him pitch again this season. Manuel said his conscience won’t let him use Maine, who will undergo shoulder surgery on his right shoulder.

The doctors said Maine can’t reinjure himself, but they really don’t know. Should Maine try to overcompensate with his delivery, it could place stress somewhere else. That’s what the doctors ARE NOT taking into consideration.

That Manuel won’t risk Maine’s health with the season being on the line, and consequently possibly his job, shows his integrity. He’s doing the right thing.

Pedro Martinez is starting what could be his last game for the Mets tonight if they don’t get into the playoffs.

Should they somehow squeeze their way in, I can still see Manuel giving Martinez the ball by citing his experience.

That said, I don’t have faith that experience will last long then, or tonight. Not with these numbers: In his last three starts, Martinez has worked 16 innings and given up 14 earned runs on 24 hits and eight walks.

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I’ve been writing “no” all along. I don’t believe it is worth running John Maine out there to work in the bullpen this weekend, no matter what is at stake. I don’t believe he will make the difference and it isn’t worth risking further injury.

What about you guys?

Tell me if they should shut him down or roll the dice, and why.

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-John Maine threw a 30-pitch simulated game today and declared himself 90 percent. Maine would like to pitch, but again, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.

-The Mets announced they will move their Triple-A team to Buffalo and will be called the Bisons. Good move. The closer the Triple-A team is to New York geographically the better.

-Pedro Martinez said he could pitch out of the bullpen in the playoffs. Problem is he’s allowed over 25 percent of his runs in the first inning.

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Normally the Mets are conservative with their pitchers. But, it seems they are taking a risk with John Maine. I don’t buy the defense that he can’t hurt it anymore. I’m no doctor, but pain and discomfort are warning signs.

He’s scheduled to throw a simulated game today. I think this is a mistake. If this needs surgery, then do it now and give him more time to get ready for spring training. He’s too valuable to mess around with.

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-Jerry Manuel said John Maine’s role next year will be as a starter and not out of the bullpen. With the possible departures of Pedro Martinez and Oliver Perez, what would you expect him to say?

-Nice job by Robert Parnell last night, but remember there was no pressure. He deserves a chance under the gun.

-Damion Easley’s quad is still not right and he’s several days away from playing in the field. I’m changing my position on Luis Castillo. I said the Mets are trying to give him the at-bats over Argenis Reyes to prepare him for the playoffs. But, there might not be any playoffs and Castillo brings nothing to the table. I’m all for buying out his contract for next year, so why not cut ties now?

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