Mets 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, as quoted in this morning’s Minneapolis Star Tribune by Patrick Reusse. (link courtesy Repoz and Baseball Think Factory)

The New York Mets have an option on Doug Mientkiewicz that would pay the first baseman $4 million next season.

“I don’t why they would pick up my option, but if they do, I might quit,” he said. “I’m serious. I don’t want to be back there.”

The Mets must announce a decision within three days of the end of he World Series. No doubt, they will elect to pay Mientkiewicz a $450,000 buyout and make him a free agent.

He said his preference would be to return to the Twins, who aren’t as solid with Justin Morneau at first base as everyone figured when Mientkiewicz was shipped to Boston on July 31, 2003.

“People think Gardy [manager Ron Gardenhire] and I have a big problem,” Mientkiewicz said. “Nothing could be further from the truth. He’s like an older brother to me. We get mad, yell some, but it’s because we’re both competitive and emotional.

“I always thought Minnesota was a great place to play. After a year with the Mets, an organization that doesn’t have a clue, I know that for sure.”

Mientkiewicz’ 2005 looks something like this :

275 AB’s 36 runs, 66 hits, 13 doubles, 11 HR’s, 29 RBI’s, .240 BA, .322 OBP, .407 slugging percentage. Clearly, the Mets were out of their minds when they benched the 31 year old down the stretch in favor of Mike Jacobs (11 HR’s, 23 RBI’s, 1.085 OPS in 100 at bats).