NO BIG DEALS
Amazin’s looking to tweak, not redefine, roster at meetings
The heavy lifting is finished. Unlike last December, when Mets officials arrived at the winter meetings on a mission to add significant pieces, the next five days for general manager Sandy Alderson and his staff in National Harbor, Md., likely will be about fine-tuning the roster. Yoenis Cespedes’ return on a four-year contract wort h $110 million by far was the splashiest move the Mets could have made t his winter. A huge lineup presence is returning, allowing t he Mets to focus on improving the bullpen and perhaps catching situation. Alderson has a t rade chip in Jay Bruce, who became expendable with Cespedes’ return to a now crowded outfield. But the Mets also could deal Curtis Granderson if they believe he will yield a better return. “We’re in a much better position not only because we have Yoenis, but because I think we have a better feel for where we’re going to go,” Alderson said. “It’s always nicer when you have fewer holes to fill than more holes to fill. I have been in both situations with the Mets, and we’re in a slightly different position now than we were a few years ago.” Neil Walker’s decision to accept a qualifying offer worth $ 17. 2 million for next season eliminated the possibility the Mets will seek another second or third baseman. Even if David Wright can’t return from the spinal stenosis that threatens his career, the Mets have Jose Reyes, Wilmer Flores and T.J. Rivera, all of whom could figure into the second/third-base equation. The starting rotation is seven deep, when Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman are factored, leaving the bullpen as the most obvious area the Mets will look to upgrade.
Jerry Blevins and Fernando Salas, both of whom excelled for the Mets last season — the latter was acquired for the final month — are both free agents and could be among the options. But Blevins may command three years, and Alderson is yet to sign a reliever to more than a two-year deal during his Mets tenure.
Mike Dunn and Boone Logan a re other lefty options on t he market who could command three years, leaving t he Mets on the outside. Brad Ziegler, Greg Holland and Joe Smith are among the righty options that could make sense.
Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia will return to give the Mets a formidable back end to the bullpen. But Familia is expected to receive a suspension from MLB following his arrest on domestic violence charges. The possibility of one to two months without Familia only underscores the importance of Alderson finding another dependable option. At the GM meetings last month, Alderson all but eliminated the possibility the Mets would pursue a higher- end bullpen option such as Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen or Mark Melancon. The Mets are more likely to pursue a catcher through a trade than free agency, but figure to at least discuss Wilson Ramos, who is expected to miss the first two to three months of next season as he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Travis d’Arnaud and Rene Rivera are t he returning tandem, with Kevin Plawecki still in the picture. Last year’s haul at t he winter meetings included Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera, after the club missed on free agent Ben Zobrist. But had the Mets landed Zobrist, it’s unclear if they would have had the financial flexibility to resign Yoenis Cespedes the following month. With Cespedes already signed this year, there are fewer variables involved. But another piece to the bullpen and a catcher wouldn’t hurt.