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.
The reliever help was a given for the Mets, after struggling mightily in the bullpen last season. Edwin Diaz had a rough first season in the blue and orange, and Jeurys Familia's reunion in Queens wasn't the best either. Brad Brach was re-signed, so Van Wagenen has already started the process of shoring up that unit.
As for positions they won't be going for, finding a new catcher isn't necessarily a priority for the Mets. Wilson Ramos is still their guy behind the dish despite rumblings last year that Noah Syndergaard preferred to not have him catching when he threw.
We'll see who Van Wagenen will be targeting in the next couple of days, as rumors fly around. But pitching looks to be the main priority.