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As Meetings get underway, Mets have plenty of holes they must fill

The highlight of the Mets’ offseason so far is Giancarlo Stanton’s departure from the NL East.

But even that transaction came with a hitch: Though the Mets are finished facing the feared slugger 19 times a season with the Marlins, Stanton now becomes a nemesis across town with the Yankees, after the trade — agreed to in principle — Saturday that sent last season’s NL MVP to The Bronx.

So, as Mets officials prepare to convene in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the Winter Meetings, sentiment regarding Stanton’s exit from the Marlins is bittersweet. Now the challenge for general manager Sandy Alderson and his lieutenants is to begin implementing their own offseason plan.

With free-agency across baseball moving at a glacial pace, the Mets have been deliberate as they ponder solutions to their bullpen, infield and first base/outfield needs.

And with Alderson attempting to reduce a payroll that peaked around $155 million last season, the Mets will be prudent in spending their dollars.

The bullpen remains maybe the biggest priority, as Alderson attempts to secure another proven arm that can complement Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos and Jerry Blevins in the late innings. According to an industry source, the Mets are among the teams that have extended an offer to Bryan Shaw, but the workhorse reliever could wait to see what high-end closers Wade Davis and Greg Holland receive before deciding.

Shaw spent the past five seasons in Cleveland — where new Mets manager Mickey Callaway was the pitching coach — and has been among the most durable relievers in the majors during that stretch.

If not Shaw, the Mets can look toward Addison Reed, Joe Smith, Brandon Morrow and Luke Gregerson, among others. Lefty Mike Minor was on the team’s radar before he last week agreed to a three-year deal worth $28 million with the Rangers, who plan to use him in the starting rotation.

The infield equation is more complex. Asdrubal Cabrera is returning, after the club picked up his 2018 option worth $8.5 million, and expected to play third base. But the Mets haven’t ruled out the possibility of adding a third baseman — Todd Frazier would be one possibility — and letting Cabrera play second.

Even so, it remains more likely the Mets will acquire a second baseman, first looking to a trade market that includes Jason Kipnis, Ian Kinsler, Josh Harrison and Cesar Hernandez. And team officials plan to speak with the Marlins about Starlin Castro, who will be traded from the Yankees in the Stanton deal.

Another possibility is a reunion with free-agent Neil Walker, whose tenure with the Mets ended last August, when he was traded to the Brewers.

Kipnis is expendable because of Jose Ramirez’s emergence at second base with the Indians. But Kipnis is also owed $28.2 million over the next two seasons, and Mets officials haven’t shown an appetite for that kind of commitment. Kinsler, who has been linked to the Angels and Blue Jays, among others, has one year remaining on his contract for $11 million. Castro’s remaining contract is for two years and $22 million.

Alderson has indicated any outfielder the Mets acquire must have first-base capabilities as a viable alternative to Dominic Smith, who was a disappointment during his six-week audition with the club beginning in mid-August.

Jay Bruce heads the list of players who fit the criteria — he saw action at first base last season with the Mets — but his chances of returning would likely be predicated upon accepting a three-year deal. Reports last month indicated Bruce was seeking five years.

Adam Lind and Mitch Moreland are among the lowercost options. If the Mets were to make a serious run at free-agent Carlos Santana, whom team officials deem a “difference-maker,” Smith would almost certainly be traded.

The last time the Winter Meetings were held in Lake Buena Vista, four years ago, the Mets surprised by signing Bartolo Colon to a two-year contract. Such a deal by the Mets for a starting pitcher would be equally surprising this time, but Fantasyland at Disney World is nearby.