NEW YORK -- Unlike last offseason, when negotiations for Yoenis Céspedes dragged into late January, both Cespedes and the Mets demonstrated a willingness to wrap up the star outfielder's free agency quickly in 2016. The two sides agreed to terms Tuesday on a four-year, $110 million deal, pending a physical, meaning the Winter Meetings will be about other roster issues for the Mets.
MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2016 Winter Meetings from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C. Fans can watch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8 at 6 a.m. PT.
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With Cespedes headed back to Flushing, general manager Sandy Alderson will use the Meetings to explore other pursuits. Most notably, the Mets are interested in adding at least one Major League veteran to their bullpen, particularly with closer Jeurys Familia facing litigation and a possible domestic violence suspension.
The Mets may also poke around to see if any team is interested in acquiring Jay Bruce, a corner outfielder whose salary and defensive limitations make him a tough sell on the same roster as Cespedes. And they will look for other creative ways to improve their roster; even with Cespedes back in New York. For example, the Mets don't have a strong in-house solution in center field.
Trade talks should thusly be a significant part of the Mets' Winter Meetings agenda, revolving around both Bruce and the bullpen. But with Cespedes in place, the Mets have already completed a significant portion of their offseason heavy lifting.
Outside the Meetings, the Mets will simply look to mold what they feel is a postseason-caliber roster into shape.