NEW YORK (AP) – Jim Duquette was hired as general manager of the New York Mets on Tuesday, four months after taking the job on an interim basis.

Duquette had been running the team’s baseball operations since Steve Phillips was fired in June.

“I’m convinced we’re going to turn around and do it quickly,” Duquette said.

The Mets went 66-95 and finished last in the NL East despite a $117 million payroll.

Mets owner Fred Wilpon said the team failed to replace many of the talent evaluators who had left the organization in the past few years.

“I think that is a big mistake we made,” he said.

Houston GM Gerry Hunsicker, who had been given permission to talk to the Mets, agreed Oct. 16 to a contract extension with the Astros through 2005.

New York also talked with Omar Minaya about a senior executive job, but he decided last weekend to remain with the Montreal Expos as general manager.

Meanwhile, reliever John Franco filed for free agency Monday along with first baseman Tony Clark. Franco, 43, is the captain.

Also eligible to file are right-hander Pedro Astacio, second baseman Jay Bell and outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo.

AP-ES-10-28-03 1335EST