During this MLB offseason there have been a flurry of moves in the league, but lots of questions remain for the Mets. Here's the latest...

Adding to the bullpen...

The Mets had Dellin Betances on the hook during the middle of November, but he started seeking other offers for leverage when the Yankees dropped out.

The Mets certainly still want him, but seem to have a fixed offer in place based on their budget. I assume he can take it or find something better, which is probably why we're seeing so many conflicting reports about who is and isn't interested.

The Phillies would certainly be the best team to bring in to a negotiation if you want the Mets to up their offer. But who knows, if that never happens, maybe Philadelphia ends up being the best remaining option. Or, perhaps the Yankees jump back in...

Adding a hitter...

Jeff McNeil is penciled in as the starting third basemen for the Mets in 2020, which means the primary addition must come either in center or left field.

However, as likely as a scenario as this is, I say 'pencil,' not, 'ink,' because if Brodie Van Wagenen can swing a trade for a top-tier third baseman, McNeil goes back to left field.

For instance, though it's difficult to determine how likely it is any of the following players are traded, it sounds to me like the Mets have what is needed to trade for Kris Bryant, who would certainly push McNeil off the hot corner.

The free agent prices for starting pitchers make it worth Van Wagenen's time to see what he can get in trade for, say, Steven Matz, given he recently added Michael Wacha and Rick Porcello. I still don't see any evidence the Mets want to go this route, or are even seriously engaging teams on this topic, but doing so would make it much easier if wanting to snag an elite third baseman.

Also at third, there's buzz out west that the Giants will gladly trade 3B Evan Longoria, who is due $48 million through 2022, for a similarly bad contract.

Speaking of outfielders, literally every single insider I know says the Pirates will trade Starling Marte before the end of the year. It has been reported the Mets have interest.

In the event the Mets can swap J.D. Davis with a bad contract to get a pitcher that can help in 2020, it sounds like Kole Calhoun could have interest in joining the Mets. He'd likely only cost $5-7 million for one year, making him a stop-gap player good for a ton of strikeouts, roughly 2.0 WAR and improved fielding. I'd pass, but he is an option...

Since the Winter Meetings, multiple people have told me to keep my eye on the Mets and Red Sox regarding Jackie Bradley Jr., whom I still don't see as being a worthy addition.

If you want to add two top prospects to your system, the Padres will send them to you with 3B-OF Wil Myers. Of course, you have to also take on the remaining $66 million he's due during the next three seasons. No thank you...

NL East related...

The general consensus around baseball seems to be the Phillies will sooner than later lock in an extension with J.T. Realmuto, who is currently eligible to be a free agent after next season. How much? It doesn't seem to matter, more or less no one I know thinks they will let him leave town...

Speaking of the Phillies, despite all of their headline-grabbing, free-agent signings this winter, they still have not addressed the bullpen.

"You drive for show and you putt for dough," a rival, veteran NL East executive told me, suggesting Philadelphia could again run into the same problems as it did in 2019.

Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) is a senior writer of MetsBlog.com, which he created in 2003. His book, The New York Mets Fans' Bucket List, details 44 things every Mets fan should experience during their lifetime.

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