Mets would get pick if Wheeler goes

If Zack Wheeler departs through free agency, the Mets can at least count on receiving draft-pick compensation.

On Monday, the club extended a qualifying offer to Wheeler for next season worth $17.8 million. The right-hander has until Nov. 14 to decide, but is expected to reject the offer and pursue a mega-deal on the open market. Wheeler’s departure would yield a draft pick because of the qualifying offer.

According to general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, the club is open to signing Wheeler, but is also making contingency plans in case he departs — relievers Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman will prepare this offseason with the idea they could be asked to join the starting rotation.

“If we were to do that, then we need to fortify the bullpen,” Van Wagenen said. “And we will intend to find ways to get better in the bullpen as well.”

➤ Manager Carlos Beltran said he expects to have input in the composition of the coaching staff, but declined to provide specifics. Terry Collins’ name has been discussed as a possible bench coach, but Beltran is still trying to gauge if the former Mets manager is interested. The 70-year-old Collins still serves the organization as a special assistant.

“Terry Collins will be one of my mentors,” Beltran said. “I love Terry Collins. Terry Collins has reached out to me in a way where if I need help I can reach out to him. I don’t know if he wants to get back in the game or not, but the fact he is reaching out to me and wants to mentor me in this new position, I will take any help available out there.”

➤ Van Wagenen was asked about the possibility of adding a big-ticket item such as Anthony Rendon.

“We’re going to be creative with the rosters and try to find the right players,” Van Wagenen said. “Third base is a position where we have Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis, who can potentially play there in addition to Jed Lowrie, so I think we have some depth at that position, but as we look to reconfigure or find ways to get better offensively or defensively, we will consider a variety of different things and the same goes for the pitching staff.”

➤ Yoenis Cespedes’ potential availability for next season remains in question as he rehabs ankle fractures he sustained on his ranch last May.

“I do not have enough information to predict when he’s going to be back,” Van Wagenen said.

Cespedes in 2020 will be in the final season of his four-year contract worth $110 million that was negotiated by the former agent Van Wagenen.

➤ Edgardo Alfonzo’s removal as manager at Single-A Brooklyn — the team won the New York/Penn League championship — was because of concerns over player development, according to Van Wagenen. The former Mets second baseman is remaining with the club in a public relations and community service role.

“Our decision not to bring him back to Brooklyn was a player development decision and we just want to keep ourselves on the path of putting the players in the best situation,” Van Wagenen said. “We’re focused on his community role going forward, not the player development role.”

➤ Jacob deGrom and Pete Alonso were named as finalists for NL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year, respectively. The winners will be announced next week.