The Winter Meetings wrapped up on Thursday in San Diego, but lots of questions remain for the Mets. Among them...

Rounding out the rotation...

Rick Porcello could have signed a multiyear deal, according to people aware of his market.

I heard earlier this week that teams with interest in him feared the ferocious pitching market could lead someone to panic and offer a three-year deal.

So, why did he take a one-year, prove-it deal with the Mets?

The same sources say the Mets assured him he will have a spot in the rotation. In it, he knows he is more likely to exceed expectations as a fifth starter than if signing with a less-talented rotation. And, if he does have the bounceback season he and the Mets are hoping for, it will get far more attention in New York than in any other market.

Lastly, though this wasn't specifically mentioned, he has to be looking forward to spending at least one season close to his childhood home and pitching in front of local family and friends in New Jersey.

Adding a reliever...

The market for Dellin Betances is intriguing. Earlier this week, people that would know told me it was looking very much like Betances would end up choosing between the Mets and Yankees.

Since then, multiple reports have stated that a number of other teams are involved. My initial hunch was that these reports were being leaked by Betances' camp to create a sense of more demand in hopes of getting more money from the Mets or Yankees.

It was also said that he wanted to ink a deal before the end of the week.

The reports have continued, though, and Betances remains unsigned, which now makes me wonder if these other teams really are involved and the Mets and/or Yankees have moved on.

Adding a bat...

As of 11 a.m. ET, I couldn't find anyone I know in baseball that felt the Astros would trade Carlos Correa for Noah Syndergaard. Instead, most people predicted to me that Houston is simply gauging Correa's market in advance of, well, who knows, given they are Enemy No. 1 in MLB right now.

"By engaging teams now, they know where teams stand if needing to circle back this summer," one veteran front office advisor explained. "It's common. And if they want to move him before the trade deadline, he'll still have another year of control. Also, it'll be after the draft when teams are usually more willing to trade top prospects."

That said, if such a deal is possible, I'm listening.

Remaining on the infield, teams that have talked with the Mets say Jeff McNeil is penciled in as Van Wagenen's starting third baseman in 2020.

This means, if the Mets are set on adding an everyday center fielder, reports must be accurate that he's open to trading J.D. Davis and/or Brandon Nimmo.

Speaking of third base, the Rockies are willing to listen to trade proposals for Nolan Arenado, according to MLB Network reporter Jon Heyman. However, the Rockies are telling teams they intend to add in hopes of returning to the playoffs in 2020. Therefore, my hunch is Arenado was added to the rumor mill by a team wanting to trade for Kris Bryant or sign Josh Donaldson or Anthony Rendon.

Rendon has since signed with the Angels.

NL East note to keep in mind...

By way of the league's Competitive Balance Tax, the Marlins are required to increase payroll next season.

As a result, I've heard from a few people to keep an eye on them because, if they wanted to expedite their rebuild, they have enough minor league talent to swing a trade or two for quality bats on the verge of entering arbitration.

Thinking about next winter...

As part of the agreement that would lead to Steve Cohen becoming majority owner of the Mets, Fred Wilpon will remain in the role of the Control Person and CEO for five years and Jeff Wilpon will remain in his role of Chief Operating Officer for the five-year period as well. But Cohen could potentially have some influence.

"Assuming it happens and is in effect by then, Cohen's first move in control of the Mets should be to sign Mookie Betts to a monster contract next winter," a long-time Mets fan, now rival front office advisor told me. "How do you think baseball and Mets fans would react to that?"

I think they'd like it, friend. I think they'd like it a lot...

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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