Left-hander Al Leiter said he is going to seek free agency after negotiations for a contract extension with the New York Mets broke off Wednesday, the Newark Star-Ledger reported.

	Leiter

"I'm definitely going to wait and file for free agency," Leiter said after pitching in the Mets' 2-1 loss to the White Sox in Chicago. Leiter took the loss, falling to 6-6 but lowering his ERA to 3.23.

Leiter's agent, Alan Hendricks, had been talking to the Mets for two months about the contract. Leiter was looking for a two- or three-year deal and there was great optimism a deal could be worked out before the All-Star break. But the Mets, who usually don't negotiate contracts in the middle of the season, grew wary after Leiter had three bad starts and Leiter decided to halt negotiations.

"It's on the back burner now," Hendricks told the Star-Ledger from his office in Houston. "It's on the way back burner ... ", indicating there is no plan on his part to resuscitate the talks.

According to people familiar with Fred Wilpon's thinking on the matter, the newspaper reported, there is a sense the Mets owner is reluctant right now to make a big commitment to Leiter, especially after he struggled over three starts. Still, some team officials were hopeful something could be worked out for two years at between $18 million and $20 million.

The Star-Ledger also reported that Mets general manager Steve Phillips is expected to name a new hitting coach Thursday, with the front-runner former Yankees player and coach Chris Chambliss. Phillips also interviewed Bill Madlock and Indians minor-league hitting coordinator Willie Upshaw for the job.