In- depth looks at Mets, Giants, Orioles,

General manager Sandy Alderson achieved his primary offseason goal by bringing back slugger Yoenis Cespedes on a four-year, $110 million free agent contract. But Cespedes’ return exacerbated the Mets’ corner-outfield logjam, and the club will enter spring training with uncertainty all around the diamond after a rash of injuries to key players in 2016. USA TODAY Sports’ Ted Berg sizes up the team. (*Denotes prospect) Catcher

Despite a fifth consecutive season of missing significant time because of injury, Travis d’Arnaud opens camp as the front-runner to get most of the Mets’ opportunities behind the plate. D’Arnaud struggled at the plate as he battled through shoulder issues last season but remains the Mets’ best hope for offensive production from the catcher position. Defensive stalwart Rene Rivera should serve as d’Arnaud’s primary backup, with Kevin Plawecki trying to revive his bat at Class AAA and waiting for big-league chances.

Depth chart: D’Arnaud, Rivera, Plawecki, Xorge Carrillo, Tomas Nido

First base

Lucas Duda quietly emerged as a bona fide power threat in 2014 and 2015 before enduring back issues that kept him on the disabled list for most of 2016. The Mets have an excess of corner outfielders and could try Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto at first, but Duda should play regularly to open the season. Former first-round draft pick Dominic Smith has slowly polished his offensive game while advancing through the minor league levels and should start the season with Class AAA Las Vegas.

Depth chart: Duda, Wilmer Flores, David Wright, Conforto, Bruce, *Smith

Second base

Neil Walker, who finished the season on the disabled list after having back surgery, accepted his qualifying offer and will return to the keystone in the Mets infield in 2017. Behind switch-hitting Walker, the Mets have a pair of able backups in Jose Reyes, who appeared rejuvenated by his return to Flushing in 2016, and fan favor- ite Wilmer Flores. Bronx native T.J. Rivera also could play his way into the Mets’ infield mix after hitting .333 with a .821 on-baseplus-slugging percentage in his 33-game cameo last season.

Depth chart: Walker, Reyes, Flores, *Rivera, *Gavin Cecchini, *Matt Reynolds

Third base

The Mets hope to have Wright as healthy as possible in time for spring training. His spinal stenosis, however, means the club will need to closely manage his playing time in 2017 and perhaps consider shifting him to first base long before his contract expires at the end of the 2020 season. Wright has remained an effective hitter whenever he has played over the past two injury-filled seasons. His old pal, Reyes, should serve as his primary backup and a platoon hedge against tough righties, with Flores and Rivera also factoring into the mix.

Depth chart: Wright, Reyes, Flores, Ty Kelly, *Rivera, *Matt Oberste

Shortstop

In his first season with the Mets in 2016, Asdrubal Cabrera provided good offensive production from both sides of the plate and stable if unspectacular defense at shortstop. He should get the lion’s share of playing time at shortstop again in 2017, with Reyes and Flores backing him up until top prospect Amed Rosario is ready to take the reins full-time. Former first-round pick Cecchini enters 2017 coming off two consecutive strong offensive seasons in the minors, but he will need to iron out defensive issues before he’s ready for full-time work in the Mets infield. Depth chart: Cabrera, Reyes, Flores, *Cecchini, *Rosario

Left field

Though it’s still possible the club could work out a trade, the Mets will otherwise enter spring training with too many corner outfielders and few natural fits for center. Cespedes started 61 games in center in 2016 but likely will be limited to left field in 2017. If Cespedes is hurt or, in case of emergency, shifted to center field, some combination of Conforto and Bruce likely will play left.

Depth chart: Cespedes, Conforto, Bruce, *Brandon Nimmo, Kelly

Center field

Curtis Granderson has mostly been a corner outfielder since joining the Mets in 2014, but he appears ticketed to get most of the playing time in center in 2017 unless the team pulls off a deal to free up its corner-outfield logjam before opening day. Former Gold Glover Juan Lagares will share time with Granderson in center, likely starting against most lefthanded pitchers. Conforto saw time in center in 2016 for the first time as a pro and could return there in a pinch. Prospect Brandon Nimmo, a lefty-hitting table- setter type, appears to have little left to prove in Class AAA and might make a nice platoon partner for Lagares if the Mets find the roster space. Depth chart: Granderson, Lagares, Conforto, *Nimmo, *Victor Cruzado

Right field

The Mets seem eager to get out from under the $13 million they

DAVID KOHL, USA TODAY SPORTS The Mets made Yoenis Cespedes their priority in the offseason, signing him to a four-year deal.

PETER AIKEN, USA TODAY SPORTS Third basemen David Wright has only played 75 games the last two seasons and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis last year.