As the Mets build their roster at the 2019 MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego, the pieces of the puzzle for the 2020 season have started to come together.

While the Mets weigh their options with moves such as last Thursday's Jake Marisnick trade and Wednesday's Michael Wacha agreement, RHP Noah Syndergaard is among the cornerstone pieces GM Brodie Van Wagenen believes to be pivotal for the team's success next year.

Discussing the Mets' rotation and bullpen in Wednesday's 1-on-1 interview with SNY's Steve Gelbs, Van Wagenen pointed to Syndergaard as one of the most important arms on the roster.

The Mets have interest in signing free agent reliever Dellin Betances. Here's the latest...

Dec. 11, 11:28 PM:

Michael Wacha's deal with the Mets could take them out of the running for Dellin Betances.

For the second straight season, the Nationals have lost one of their biggest offensive stars via free agency.

According to multiple reports, third baseman Anthony Rendon is heading to the Los Angeles Angels on a seven-year deal worth $245 million. That contract is identical to the one agreed to by Stephen Strasburg to keep him in DC.

Rendon, 29, has gotten better with each of his seven seasons with the Nationals. A career .290 hitter, Rendon made his first All-Star team in 2019. He also finished third in MVP voting behind Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich, ending his season slashing .319/.412/.598 with 34 home runs and 126 RBI.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Is there a chance the Mets could pull off a trade with the Astros for shortstop Carlos Correa?

They'd have to get awfully creative, put it that way.

At the Winter Meetings in San Diego, SNY's Andy Martino reported Wednesday that the teams have had "dialogue" about such a possibility, which comes on the heels of The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reporting Tuesday that the Astros have entertained the possibility of trading Correa as a way of dealing with their current -- and future -- payroll crunch.

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

In the wake of baseball's winter pitching splurge, a popular social media hot take around the Mets goes something like this: Jacob deGrom is a bargain, even at $27.5 million per year! 

Yes, the Mets are getting their money's worth out of the five-year, $137.5 million extension they gave their ace before last season, especially since he won a second consecutive National League Cy Young Award in 2019. 

Building pitching depth was priority number one for the Mets during the Winter Meetings, as stated repeatedly by general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.

On Wednesday, the team helped build that depth by agreeing on a deal with veteran Michael Wacha, who Van Wagenen has hinted will figure to be the team's fifth starter behind Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, and Steven Matz.

Wacha is a 28-year-old right-hander, originally from Iowa City, Iowa, though he played his high school ball in Texarkana, Texas. He was selected by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2012 draft out of Texas A&M.

Day 3 of the Winter Meetings are upon us, and the Mets remain active in trying to bolster their 2020 roster. Here's the latest news today...

Dec. 11, 8:16 PM:

With the Mets working hard to finalize a one-year deal with Michael Wacha to help stabilize the starting rotation, it now seems like the Mets are exploring other potential moves.

The Mets have talked with two MLB teams about trading Jed Lowrie.

The Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers have inquired with the Mets about the utility INF, SNY's Andy Martino reported Wednesday.

Lowrie, 35, was an All-Star in 2018 with the A's, who Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle first noted are interested in another reunion.

The Mets made a move with the Astros last week. Could New York do so again with one of Houston's top players?

After the Mets traded for CF Jake Marisnick last Thursday, they "have had dialogue" with the Astros regarding SS Carlos Correa, SNY's Andy Martino reported Wednesday.

Correa, 24, slashed .279/.358/.568 with 21 home runs and 59 RBI in 75 games. He missed most of his 2019 season due to injury, between a fractured rib that cost him 50 games and late-August back discomfort.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen once again met with members of the media as the MLB Winter Meetings roll on in San Diego.

Van Wagenen had plenty to talk about on Wednesday. including the Mets' reported addition of veteran Michael Wacha.

Here are four takeaways from Van Wagenen's availability:

On Michael Wacha

On Wednesday, SNY's Andy Martino confirmed the Mets are working hard to finalize a one-year contract with the veteran starter Wacha.

Heading into the Winter Meetings, free agent reliever Blake Treinen seemed to make a lot of sense for the New York Mets, a team in need of building bullpen depth.

Now it appears that Treinen is off the market.

ESPN's Jeff Passan has reported that Treinen and the Dodgers are in agreement on a one-year deal worth $10 million. Passan added that Treinen had multiple offers within that same price range.

The Mets are 'working hard' to finalize a one-year deal with free agent Michael Wacha, SNY's Andy Martino confirmed.

Wacha's deal will be worth $3 million guaranteed, with an additional $7 million in potential incentives, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Wacha, 28, had a 4.76 ERA (5.61 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP in 126.2 IP in 2019 for the Cardinals as he struggled with injuries and inconsistency.

.. 

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The long-awaited scientific findings on the 2019 baseball were released on Wednesday, and the conclusions likely aren't going to satisfy pitchers throughout the majors who were convinced MLB intentionally juiced the ball to fly farther and produce more home runs.

Yet at least there is reason to believe Noah Syndergaard wasn't crazy when he kept complaining that he couldn't throw his slider as effectively in the past -- due to a decrease in the height of the seams on some of the balls that apparently contributed to the record-breaking number of home runs.

And maybe there is now even more reason to believe the Mets should gamble on signing free-agent reliever Blake Treinen, whose fall from dominance with the A's last season was due largely to the ineffectiveness of his sinker -- thought to be at least partly related to lower seams on the ball.

The Mets could be looking to move Dom Smith during MLB's Winter Meetings.

New York is "actively talking to teams" about the 24-year-old 1B/LF, SNY's Andy Martino reported Wednesday.

Smith slashed .282/.355/.525 with 11 home runs and 25 RBI in 89 games throughout the 2019 season.

Yu Darvish knows a good hitter when he sees one.

The seven-year veteran RHP has faced some of MLB's best since arriving from Japan in 2012, ranging between the AL with the Texas Rangers (2012-17) and the NL with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2017) and Chicago Cubs (2018-present).

Coming into his third season with the Cubs in 2020, Darvish shared five of his toughest opposing hitters from the 2019 season. J.D. Davis made the cut, evidently leaving Darvish impressed after facing the Mets LF/3B in two games of a breakout year.

Although he didn't pitch in 2019, Bartolo Colon is not giving up on his desire to pitch again in the majors, reports Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.

Sanchez shared a video of Colon throwing off a mound in the Dominican Republic while wearing Mets shorts and a t-shirt.

Click below to see...

The Winter Meetings are in full swing in San Diego, and the Mets still have a lot they need to accomplish if they hope to be one of the top contenders for the NL East title in 2020.

As Brodie Van Wagenen hopes to check off some of the Mets' needs, MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone dipped into his mailbag...

Vincent Palma (via e-mail): If the Pirates have interest in Brandon Nimmo, it seems like there should be a lot of options to make a deal with them. Who do you think is Van Wagenen's target?

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

As talks between the Mets and Pirates about a potential trade for Starling Marte have intensified, SNY's Andy Martino has reported that the Mets are "open" to dealing Brandon Nimmo to Pittsburgh.

Marte is a very good player, but so is Nimmo. And the Mets should be open to trading for Marte only if it means not including Nimmo in the deal (with one caveat). Here's why...

It would negatively impact the Mets' outfield defense

Brodie Van Wagenen has made improving the team's defense one of his main goals this offseason, and he did that when he acquired Jake Marisnick. But Marisnick profiles as a part-time player.

Mets fans, time to circle some Spring Training dates on your calendar, as the team released its schedule to kick off the new year. 

Here's how it all breaks down: 

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE DATES

The Mets continue to be linked to Pirates outfielder Starling Marte.

According to SNY Insider Andy Martino, the team is still in on the 31-year-old, and they would likely need to trade a major league outfielder in any deal for him.

Brodie Van Wagenen admitted that the team currently has a surplus of outfielders, with Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, JD Davis, Yoenis Cespedes, Jake Marisnick, and even Dom Smith, who can play both left field and first base.

The first day of Winter Meetings have come and gone in San Diego, and the Mets are still looking to do some business. Here are the latest rumors for today...

Dec. 10, 10:41 PM:

According to SNY Insider Andy Martino, the team is still in on Starling Marte, and they would likely need to trade a major league outfielder in any deal for him.

New Mets manager Carlos Beltran made an appearance at the Winter Meetings in San Diego Tuesday evening and discussed the upcoming season for his new ball club and what he's done in the first month since being named manager.

"It's been a lot of work trying to catch up with all the information, all the details, trying to reach out to all the players," Beltran said in his opening statement. "But it's been fun, it's been a learning experience, there is no doubt that, you know, being in the job a lot of times from the outside you think that being a manager is something that happens from one day to another, but really it takes time to catch up with all the information. The good thing is that I have a good group of guys around me that are being supportive and they've been guiding me through the process."

The Mets made additional changes to their coaching staff aside from Beltran this offseason, adding the likes of Hensley Meulens as their bench coach and Jeremy Hefner as the new pitching coach. 

Beltran noted that 'It was a team effort" in picking and finalizing this new coaching staff.

For the second straight day during the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen met with the media.

Tuesday's topics included how the team will respond to other moves being made within the division, players have specific nutrition plans, and how the team may use their 26th spot on the active roster.

Here are four takeaways from Tuesday's availability:

Two Mets were named to the inaugural All-MLB First Team on Tuesday afternoon, with Pete Alonso taking the first baseman slot and Jacob deGrom grabbing one of the four spots available for starting pitchers.

Alonso was named the NL Rookie of the Year after setting the MLB rookie record for home runs in a season with 53--that effort was also good enough to lead the league in home runs in 2019.

The rookie held slashes of .260/.358/.583 for the season and was named to the NL All-Star team.

During the course of the day, I often text and talk with a variety of MLB insiders to better understand what is happening in the hot stove.

The following are insights, ideas and notes gathered from recent conversations with team sources, rival executives, reporters, front office assistants and talent evaluators...

Adding to the bullpen...

My hunch is the Mets will sign at least one relief pitcher before the end of the Winter Meetings.

The Mets think "they have ability" to add pitching help this offseason, which could mean a free agent reliever such as Dellin Betances, perhaps another reliever in addition to a Betances-type, and a back of the rotation starting pitcher, reports SNY's Andy Martino.

Martino adds that Betances currently has multiyear and one-year opportunities.

Brodie Van Wagenen spent much of his media availability on Monday night at the Winter Meetings talking about the potential of adding depth to the roster, and was coy when it came to exactly what the Mets could or would allocate to each area of need.

The Winter Meetings are in full swing in San Diego, and the Mets still have a lot they need to accomplish if they hope to be one of the top contenders for the NL East title in 2020.

As Brodie Van Wagenen prepares to wheel and deal, MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone dipped into his mailbag...

1) Gorman (via Twitter): Seeing a lot of people including top prospect Andres Gimenez in trade scenarios. Is it because he's blocked by Amed Rosario? Who has more trade value, Rosario or Gimenez? Is Gimenez good enough to consider using Rosario to acquire a superstar?

If the people you are referring to are our fellow fans, I wouldn't worry about it because being an Armchair GM is what we are supposed to do this time of year. It's part of the fun.

The general sense after the Mets traded for center fielder Jake Marisnick was that it would end any potential pursuit of Pirates center fielder Starling Marte. Maybe not.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Monday that part of the reason why the Mets swung the deal for Marisnick when they did was because of a fear that they would be unable to land Marte. And Rosenthal suggested that Marte could still be in play.

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported Tuesday that the Mets have not ruled out Marte and that they would meet with the Pirates at the Winter Meetings, adding that the Pirates are seeking a "young, controllable" catcher.

MLB's Winter Meetings have officially begun in San Diego, and the Mets are looking to upgrade their 2020 roster. Here are the latest rumors for today...

Dec. 9, 11:55 PM:

Brodie Van Wagenen met with reporters at the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego, and among the topics he discussed was whether or not the Mets expect to have outfielder Yoenis Cespedes back for the 2020 season. 

David Wright has been fairly quiet behind the scenes in his role as a special advisor with the Mets, but he was on hand Monday in San Diego for the start of the MLB Winter Meetings.

Among the topics that Wright discussed was the hiring of his former teammate Carlos Baltran as the team's new manager.

According to Wright, Beltran's outstanding baseball IQ sets him up very well for his new position. 

"Probably one of the smartest baseball men that I have been around," Wright said in San Diego. "His baseball IQ is off the charts. And I think in the latter part of his career he almost became like a player-coach on the field, so I am excited about what he can share with the younger players, certainly because I think every player strives to be a Carlos Beltran type of player, a five-tool guy."

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Unless the Mets are pulling a heck of a misdirection play, all indications are they don't plan to spend significantly for the pitching help that they figure to need if they're serious about winning the NL East next season.

So how do they get creative, to use the strategy that Brodie Van Wagenen has referenced in speaking of this offseason?

Their most obvious trade chip is Dom Smith, mostly because he's blocked at first base by Pete Alonso and would be a liability in left field. Smith has value after proving last season that he can do damage with the bat, but the Mets almost certainly see J.D. Davis as a better fit, since he can play third base and left field. 

Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen helped kick off the MLB Winter Meetings on Monday, meeting with members of the media in San Diego.

Van Wagenen was asked about the team's priorities at this point in the preseason, how the team's rotation may look without Zack Wheeler, and much more. Here are five takeaways from Van Wagenen's media availability:

On Jake Marisnick

The Mets have already made one notable move this offseason, acquiring outfielder Jake Marisnick from the Houston Astros.

Van Wagenen wouldn't lock in Marisnick as the team's everyday starting center fielder, but he said the outfielder gives the Mets a lot of options moving forward.

After his new club officially announced the signing of former Met Zack Wheeler on Monday, Phillies manager Joe Girardi was on hand at the Winter Meetings in San Diego to give his thoughts on, among other things, the addition of the starting pitcher. 

In his mind, there's an awful lot to be excited about.

The Winter Meetings are in full swing in San Diego, and the Mets still have a lot they need to accomplish if they hope to be one of the top contenders for the NL East title in 2020.

As Brodie Van Wagenen prepares to wheel and deal, MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone dipped into his mailbag...

Nicholas Giordano (via Twitter): Is there a realistic scenario where the Mets can dump Jed Lowrie's or Jeurys Familia's contracts and still improve the team? I don't want to attach J.D. Davis/Dominic Smith to a trade just so we can dump salary.

Sadly, I think the only way Van Wagenen can move Lowrie and/or Familia and their full contracts is to either bring back an equally risky and bad contract or do what you don't want and include Davis and/or Smith.

During this week of MLB's Winter Meetings, free agency is the main driver of rumors that swirl around. However, big time trades have also went down during this pivotal week in the offseason. 

The Mets did just that last season, when Brodie Van Wagenen burst onto the scene with a blockbuster trade for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz. So would Van Wagenen be that guy again to make the big splash on the trade market instead of free agency? 

A big name out there is Indians SS Francisco Lindor, and while taking questions during SNY's "Winter Meetings Live" on Facebook Monday, Steve Gelbs and Andy Martino broke down a proposed trade proposal for the Mets and Lindor. 

The trade package was Lindor for SS Amed Rosario and RHP Noah Syndegaard, which both Gelbs and Martino were very intrigued by. But would it be worth it? They break it down...

Mets free agent target Dellin Betances is "likely" to sign a one-year deal in an effort to increase his value and hit the market again in 2020, reports Jack Curry of the YES Network.

Curry added that the Yankees have engaged with Betances, who he says attended a congratulatory dinner for Carlos Beltran after Beltran was named manager of the Mets.

Betances, who will turn 32 before Opening Day, pitched just 2/3 of an inning in 2019 after dealing with a lat injury. He returned toward the end of the season, but suffered an Achilles injury in his only appearance that ended his year. 

Stephen Strasburg has agreed to a seven-year deal with the Nationals worth $245 million, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. It is a record deal for a pitcher both in terms of total value and average annual value.

The deal includes a full no-trade clause and does not have any opt-outs, reports Tim Brown of Yahoo.

While the Nats have made a huge move by retaining Strasburg, his return almost certainly means the end of free agent Anthony Rendon as a National.

The Mets are in need of a starting pitcher to fill the empty slot in the rotation and also need bullpen help.

With that in mind, former big league executive Adam Fisher and SNY contributor John Harper each tossed out a trade idea on Sunday night...

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Mets enter the Winter Meetings having re-signed Brad Brach to a one-year deal with a player option for 2021 that could turn out to be a steal if Brach performs in 2020 like he has during most of his career. 

But Brach isn't nearly enough.

On Monday, ESPN released its first chunk of Sunday Night Baseball games for the 2020 MLB season, and the Mets have a few of the primetime matchups. 

Here's where New York has been slated thus far...

What does Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen have up his sleeve as he gets set for the 2019 MLB Winter Meetings?

On the ground in San Diego from Sunday through Thursday, SNY's Jim Duquette and Andy Martino set the scene for the Mets.

Fielding questions from SNY's Steve Gelbs, the two kicked around the Mets' possibilities as free agency switches into another gear.

The Mets have made their coaching staff for the 2020 MLB season official on Sunday night. 

In a press release, the team announced who will be helping out Carlos Beltran in his first managerial season, including the return of hitting coach Chili Davis and the addition of pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. 

"We are excited to complete our coaching staff following a very thoughtful and extensive process," Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said. "Carlos drove this search and prioritized talented coaches who share his player's first vision and complement his skill sets." 

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Winter Meetings have been a snooze-fest in recent years, as teams have become more cautious about long-term free-agent signings and less inclined to give up prospects in trades, producing offseason stalemates that last into February.

But there's hope it might be different this time, as a combination of factors offers the possibility for significant action in San Diego the next few days. 

Most notably, large-market teams such as the Yankees, Dodgers, and Angels are big-game hunters this offseason, which hasn't been the case in recent years. 

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen heads down to San Diego on Sunday for his second stint at the Winter Meetings, and SNY's Andy Martino knows what he'll be looking to come back to Flushing with. 

Martino has the Mets looking to add a back end starter as well as bullpen help. Van Wagenen is looking to fill the void left by Jason Vargas, who was traded to the Phillies before the deadline last season. Zack Wheeler is also a Phillie now after signing his multi-year deal this past week. 

Rick Porcello is a man on their list, according to Martino. But if Van Wagenen can't add someone, there is the possibility that Seth Lugo or Robert Gsellman could be starting for the Mets instead of coming out of the bullpen. 

Mets OF Brandon Nimmo sat down with SNY's Steve Gelbs to discuss why the Mets clubhouse is so close, and how that can help the team going forward.

"The clubhouse was definitely different in a good way when I came back," Nimmo said. "Even to this offseason, the clubhouse has been different. With professional baseball, it just is the way it is. The past few years, everybody goes their seperate ways for the season and we'll meet back in spring training. Whoever's there is there, and we'll start from there."

"This offseason, that core young group of guys has really kept in touch really well. And that's been totally different than what I've experienced throughout pro ball. It's a little more of that commrodory, like you were saying, and that chemistry."

With Zack Wheeler heading to the Phillies on a five-year deal, the Mets find themselves with a spot open in their starting rotation.

Could Rick Porcello be the answer?

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Mets are talking to Porcello, who won the AL Cy Young Award in 2016.

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Sure, you're hyped for some Mets free agent or trade action at the upcoming Winter Meetings. But unless the club pulls off a surprise blockbuster move, the most newsworthy Mets stuff coming out of San Diego might be the first public appearance by a club bigwig since the announcement of sale negotiations with billionaire Steve Cohen.

When Brodie Van Wagenen steps in front of cameras and reporters, there will be lots to discuss, far beyond how to fix that horrid bullpen.

With baseball's Winter Meetings just a few days away, the MLB hot stove continues to burn, and one of the Mets' divisional foes is reportedly set to pursue some of the biggest names on the market.

The Phillies have already signed Zack Wheeler away from the Mets, agreeing to a five-year, $118 million deal with the right-hander, and now they're reportedly pursuing both Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, perhaps the two biggest names on the market outside of Gerrit Cole. 

MLB.com's Jon Heyman has reported that the Phillies have shown interest in both Strasburg and Cole, though the team is "especially interested" in Strasburg.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen will soon be in San Diego with his contingent and representatives from the 29 other clubs as the annual Winter Meetings begin.

The meetings officially start on Monday, Dec. 9 and conclude on Dec. 12. But things could start percolating as early as Sunday, when many of the most important movers and shakers start to arrive.