NEW YORK --Next year's competition in the NL East got off to an early start.

Tom Glavine, one of the most coveted free-agent pitchers on the market, visited New York and Philadelphia on Thursday as the Mets and Phillies tried to persuade him to leave Atlanta, his team for 16 years.

"We got the sense that he is seriously considering the Mets, and I'm sure he's seriously considering Philadelphia as well,'' Mets general manager Steve Phillips said after spending about six hours with Glavine, his wife, Christine, and agent Gregg Clifton. "It seemed like a very, very sincere visit.''

The Glavines flew into White Plains, N.Y., on Thursday morning and were given a tour of Westchester County and Greenwich, Conn., an area where many Mets and Yankees live.

They then came into the city and had lunch at the Four Seasons restaurant with Phillips, Mets owner Fred Wilpon, chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon, manager Art Howe, and pitchers John Franco and Al Leiter.

Even Mayor Michael Bloomberg stopped by to help recruit Glavine, as did New York Rangers goaltender Mike Richter and hockey Hall of Famer Rod Gilbert.

"The Mets were tremendous hosts,'' Clifton said. "They were able to show Tom potential areas to live and gave him a flavor of what New York would be like. All of those guys who have been top-flight athletes in New York City were able to share with Tom what it's like to be on a winning team in New York.''

Wilpon, who took over sole ownership of the team in the summer, has made signing Glavine his top offseason priority as the Mets try to rebound from a last-place finish.

"We had a super day,'' Phillips said. "It was a very worthwhile meeting and a day I hope left him with a good taste about New York and the Mets and what the future could hold here for him.''

Glavine then went to Philadelphia, where he took in an NHL game between the Flyers and the San Jose Sharks. Glavine is a big hockey fan and was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings out of high school.

He got a standing ovation from fans at the First Union Center when he was introduced in the first period.

Glavine planned to meet with Phillies officials on Friday and take a tour of the site of the team's new ballpark, scheduled to open in 2004.

The Mets and Phillies have made three-year offers to the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner worth about $9 million to $10 million annually. The Braves, the only major league team he has played for, offered a two-year deal with an option for 2005 that could become guaranteed based on starts and innings.

"We didn't have any negotiations today,'' Phillips said. "This was really more of a get-to-know you day and to get familiar with the area and the possibilities and opportunities in New York. This wasn't about the contract today. Those conversations took place before today and I'm sure will take place after today.''

Clifton said he hoped Glavine would be able to make a decision in early December. He also said Atlanta would not be guaranteed a final shot to keep Glavine.

"We're were not going to seek the Braves out,'' Clifton said. "If the Braves want more dialogue with us and to revise their proposal, we'd certainly listen.''

The 36-year-old Glavine was 18-11 with a 2.96 ERA this year, and has a 242-143 career record.

Greg Maddux, another of Atlanta's stellar starters, also became a free agent following the World Series. The Braves have already acquired left-hander Mike Hampton and are unlikely to sign both of their free-agent pitchers.

"Certainly, he's had a long and successful career in Atlanta,'' Phillips said. "Things have gone very well for him there. ... It obviously will be a difficult decision. They have very good memories from their time in Atlanta, but they understand the possibility of creating new memories as well.''

If either the Mets or Phillies get Glavine, that could help tip the balance of power in the NL East, a division Atlanta has won every year since 1995.

The Mets have struggled since winning the pennant in 2000, finishing in third place in 2001 and going 75-86 last season. They have never replaced Hampton after he left as a free agent following the 2000 season.

"He like a lot of people didn't understand why we didn't perform like we thought we would this year,'' Phillips said. "We hope a pitcher like him could put us over the hump.''

Phillips said he hoped to hire a pitching coach next week -- a concern of Glavine.

The Phillies came in third in the NL East last year, 21 1/2 games behind the Braves. They have been the most aggressive team in the offseason, making contract offers to Glavine, slugger Jim Thome and third baseman David Bell.