The MLB Winter Meetings are underway in Las Vegas and conclude Thursday morning after the Rule 5 Draft.
The Mets are in the market for an everyday catcher and center fielder and possibly one or two more additions to the bullpen.
Here are the latest rumors from each of the above markets, followed by my own insight and analysis.
Trading for J.T. Realmuto...
INSIGHT & ANALYSIS >> At this point, based on the volume and velocity of reports, it's assumed Brodie Van Wagenen wants to acquire J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins. However, I wonder if we have it backward. Is it possible Brodie and his staff are leaking Realmuto rumors to drive down the price on Yasmani Grandal, Wilson Ramos and Martin Maldonado?
Everyone knows the Mets are desperate for a catcher. At the same time, Grandal has been asking for a three-year, $40 million deal, which is a lot more than any team will want to pay him, especially the Mets. If his camp believes Van Wagenen is close to acquiring Realmuto, and Grandal is short on options, maybe he lowers his ask to join the Mets... it could also be both strategies at play... just a thought.
The buzz I hear from Miami is that the Mets remain the only team -- so far -- that is willing to part with an established, big-league position player making the league minimum, yet the Marlins are insisting on two of these players ... They want Cody Bellinger from the Dodgers, but Los Angeles is reportedly not interested.
If the Yankees have a renewed interest in Realmuto, I can see them pushing Miguel Andujar to get him, but every NL team should be leery of the young third baseman's fielding.
If not Realmuto, who...
Grandal is Van Wagenen's fallback option if he fails to acquire Realmuto from the Marlins, SNY's Andy Martino reported Tuesday.
The White Sox are also interested in Grandal, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
The Mets met Tuesday with Ramos, who met with the Brewers later in the day, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
INSIGHT & ANALYSIS >> I have heard the Mets are more likely to sign the less-expensive Maldonado if they're able to upgrade their offense at another position. If they can't upgrade in the field, they're more likely to push for Grandal or Ramos.
To trade Syndergaard or not trade Syndergaard...
The Red Sox will listen to offers for Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr., but to move them Boston would need to be overwhelmed, according to NBC Sports Boston's Evan Drellich.
INSIGHT & ANALYSIS >> I still contend Van Wagenen doesn't want to deal Noah Syndergaard, instead I believe he hopes to trade for a front-end starting pitcher to add to Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom. That said, the buzz in November had been that if Syndergaard is going to get dealt it would be for a position player that will upgrade the offense and fill a void.
The Red Sox have been interested in Syndergaard before and they're looking to cut payroll... Add that up and I can see a possible swap of Syndergaard for Bogaerts, which would free up Amed Rosario to be moved in a deal for Realmuto. ... This is total fan fiction, as I've heard nothing to suggest this is in the works, but it does make some sense and probably should be explored.
Is there a market for Zack Wheeler?
INSIGHT & ANALYSIS >> There's been a lot of talk about Syndergaard, but don't forget that Zack Wheeler was a hot commodity last summer. He finished strong and is a free agent at the end of this season. Meanwhile, the Phillies, Braves, Yankees, Brewers, Reds, Angels, Astros, Twins, Blue Jays, and White Sox are reportedly all in the market for a mid- to front-end starting pitcher. So, while we keep being fed rumors involving Noah, I'd keep an eye on Wheeler.
Adding an outfielder, ideally in center field
The Dodgers are clearly shopping OF Yasiel Puig.
The Reds are interested, according to The Athletic. The Mets are not, according to SNY's Andy Martino.
Upgrading the bullpen
It was reported Tuesday that the Mets had met with the agents for free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino. The Yankees did the same later in the day, according to Joel Sherman of the NY Post.
The Mets are also reportedly interested in free agents Andrew Miller and David Robertson.
INSIGHT & ANALYSIS >> I keep hearing that Miller and the Mets is a legit possibility, given their commitment to signing a high-leverage reliever and Miller's relationship with Callaway... My understanding is Miller is aware of each of his suitor's best offer and is now just deciding where he wants to go.
Giants relievers Will Smith and Tony Watson are drawing a lot of interest from teams wanting to trade for a relief pitcher, Giants president Farhan Zaidi said.
For what it's worth...
The Blue Jays released SS Troy Tulowitzki, which makes him a free agent.
The A's have been mentioned as a possible destination for Tulowitzki, who missed close to 100 games last season after producing at least 2.4 WAR each of the previous four years.
Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) is lead writer of MetsBlog.com, which he created in 2003. He also hosts the MetsBlog Podcast, which you can subscribe to here. His new book, The New York Mets Fans' Bucket List, details 44 things every Mets fan should experience during their lifetime. To check it out, click here!