Last year around this time, the mission was a bit simpler: Use Steve Cohen’s wallet, David Stearns’ salesmanship, a growing organizational reputation, and anything and anyone else available to woo Juan Soto. $765 million later, the Mets had cannonballed into the Winter Meetings with a splash.
As Stearns & Co. descend upon Orlando, Fla., this year for the annual meetings of baseball minds, the approach has become more multipronged.
Following an offseason of promise and a season devoid of it, the Mets have to patch over holes just about everywhere, notably at the top of their rotation, first base, at least one outfield spot and their bullpen.
Sometimes the Winter Meetings bring clarity — last December the Mets settled their right field spot for 15 years — and sometimes there are talks that don’t translate into action for weeks or months.
Here are the five biggest Mets questions that might or might not be answered in the coming days:
Who’s the ace?
There are many roads for Stearns to travel down in search of a piece they did not have last season. They could do what Stearns historically has avoided and pledge a nine-figure deal toward someone like Ranger Suárez or Framber Valdez.
They could aim for a free-agent starting pitcher with as much upside but with more uncertainty such as Michael King or Japanese import Tatsuya Imai. They could pluck from a farm system that has taken leaps and buy a starter with prospects — homing in on Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Joe Ryan or MacKenzie Gore.
The Mets have options, but nearly every other team will be in the market for an arm that can lead a rotation.
Is a Pete Alonso answer in sight?
There has been little known movement in the market for Alonso, who last year did not find the long-term offer he craved and ended up stranded in the free-agency wilderness until accepting a pillow contract with the Mets on Feb. 12.
This winter Alonso is coming off a better offensive season and does not have a qualifying offer weighing him down.
Theoretically his offers should be better, though the 30-year-old is now a year older.
How long can the Mets — who already lost a strong bat in Brandon Nimmo — wait to see if their Polar Bear will return? It is a question that gains importance because if Alonso signs elsewhere, the Mets could be in the market for a DH like Kyle Schwarber.
If Schwarber’s market moves quickly in Orlando, would the Mets attempt to win the sweepstakes or pivot to a quick Alonso resolution?
How badly do the Mets and Edwin Díaz want each other?
The Mets love Díaz, who repeatedly has said he loves the Mets. Will the mutually beneficial love ensure this relationship is rekindled?
It is not in Stearns’ nature to extend a five-year contract to an aging player (Díaz turns 32 in March) or a reliever (the most volatile position). In what figures to be his last major contract, Díaz surely will look to cash in.
What if another team decides Díaz is worth a fifth season and the Mets are asked to match? Would either side blink to keep a good relationship going?
Who will be in the outfield?
After the Nimmo trade, the Mets have a superstar (Soto), a fourth outfielder (Tyrone Taylor) and a recently unseated second baseman turned utilityman (Jeff McNeil), along with a bunch of promising prospects who might not be Opening Day ready (Carson Benge, Jett Williams, A.J. Ewing).
Do the Mets investigate the top of the market and check in on Cody Bellinger (who can play anywhere) or Kyle Tucker (left field)? Do they sort through a trade market that could include Byron Buxton, Jarren Duran and Luis Robert Jr.? Do they aim a bit lower and bring in, say, Mike Yastrzemski and Miguel Andujar to platoon in left field?
Is the farm more ready to help through trade or through graduation?
Last season was a disaster for the major league Mets and a blessing for the minor league Mets, many steps forward (notably from Nolan McLean) helping value across the board. Will the Mets use their starting depth (Jonah Tong, Brandon Sproat, Jack Wenninger, Jonathan Santucci) to front a package for an established starting pitcher? Will they turn their outfield prospect surplus into an everyday center fielder?
Or is the blossoming of the system going to be more used for call-up help throughout the season?
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
