By Ronald Blum
The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Armando Benitez could be moving from the New York Mets across town to the Yankees.

The Yankees were involved in "serious" talks Tuesday to obtain the right-handed reliever, a high-ranking baseball official familiar with the discussions said on the condition he not be identified. The official said it was still unclear if the talks would lead to a trade.

Benitez, the Mets' closer, is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA in 45 games this season, blowing seven of his 28 save chances. Benitez, booed repeatedly by Mets' fans at Shea Stadium, is eligible for free agency after this season.

The Yankees hold a two-game lead over second-place Boston in the AL East but are concerned about their bullpen heading into the second half of the season. While Mariano Rivera has been outstanding, converting 16 of 17 save chances, the rest of the bullpen has been shaky in the absence of Steve Karsay, who is injured and hasn't pitched at all this season.

Juan Acevedo was released after struggling, and Antonio Osuna was sidelined from June 14 until last weekend by a strained groin. Chris Hammond, who replaced Mike Stanton during the offseason as the top left-hander in the bullpen, has been inconsistent.

The Mets, last in the NL East at 40-53, have gone into a rebuilding mode following the firing of general manager Steve Phillips on June 12. Second baseman Roberto Alomar was dealt to the Chicago White Sox on July 1 and outfielder Jeromy Burnitz was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The Mets received prospects in both deals.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was in Tampa, Fla., on Monday and Tuesday for organizational meetings and could not be contacted. Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz declined comment.