The Red Sox are most in search of help in the bullpen, that much is clear based on what reports and insiders said of their past week at the MLB Winter Meetings.

However, it has also been reported that they're looking to get younger in their rotation and have interest in a young, hard-throwing, dominant, under-team-control starting pitcher.

This reads very much like Mets RHP Noah Syndergaard, who has been the subject of countless trade rumors dating back to early November.

The Mets have been aggressive in their efforts to trade for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, who the Marlins are expected to deal. Here's the latest...

Dec. 13, 1:50 PM: 

The Mets' current talks with the Marlins for only Realmuto revolve around either Brandon Nimmo or Michael Conforto as the centerpiece of a deal -- not Amed Rosario, with the Marlins also interested in Mets prospects Andres Gimenez, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos, reports Tim Healey of Newsday...

Doug Williams, Andy Martino and John Harper put the podcast wrap on the Winter Meetings! They talk about the return of Jeurys Familia to the Mets, and what the next moves will be for Brodie Van Wagenen.

They also address the probably crazy notion of the Mets jumping into the Bryce Harper sweepstakes. Could it ever happen?

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Las Vegas - The Mets, continuing to look for creative ways to acquire Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto, have discussed a three team trade this week with the San Diego Padres involving Realmuto and Noah Syndergaard, according to major league sources.

For context, this is one of many creative scenarios Mets are discussing to try to land Realmuto. A deal was not close, or even close to close, as of Thursday morning. The takeaway from this tidbit should be that Brodie Van Wagenen and his group are still pursuing Realmuto, and still listening on Syndergaard the right situation.

The loose parameters of these particular discussions would send Syndergaard to San Diego, Realmuto to New York, and Padres prospects to Miami. It's premature to say that a particular offer is on the table, but discussions are active, per sources.

The Mets bringing back Jeurys Familia on a three-year, $30 million deal feels at first like a sidestep, as opposed to an upgrade.

The reality is that he's a known commodity coming off five-consecutive successful seasons, and he's a veteran reliever with experience pitching in high-leverage situations under the bright lights and pressure of New York City.

The thing is, the above credentials may not be where he provides the most value to the Mets.

The MLB Winter Meetings conclude Thursday afternoon following the annual Rule 5 Draft.

The signing of free agent Jeurys Familia has been the only significant acquisition made by the Mets this week, despite being consistently linked in rumor to the following pursuits...

Adding an everyday catcher

The Mets might not be done adding high-end relievers after their reunion with Jeurys Familia, who is back on a three-year deal worth $30 million. 

And while Familia isn't a bright and shiny new toy, his signing is a damn good one. And it will remain a damn good one regardless of the moves the team makes from here.

Here are three reasons why...

The Mets selected RHP Kyle Dowdy from the Indians in the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning at the Winter Meetings.

Dowdy, 25, had a 5.15 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 120 strikeouts in 124.0 innings in Double-A and Triple-A in 2018.

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said Dowdy made "huge strides" in 2018 and has a "four-pitch repertoire that includes a 98 mph fastball," with Van Wagenen adding that Dowdy could be an option for the bullpen or as insurance for the rotation...

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | After their reunion with free agent Jeurys Familia, the Mets might not be done adding high-end relievers to their bullpen.

With Edwin Diaz and Familia now on board to create a formidable 1-2 punch at the back-end of the pen, SNY's Andy Martino said early Thursday morning that his belief is that Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen came into the offseason seeking "three bullpen pieces."

Now that Van Wagenen has two of those three pieces, the question is where he'll turn next...

And just like that, RHP Jeurys Familia is back in Flushing.

The Mets and Familia have agreed to a three-year deal, worth $30 million to bring the former closer back to their bullpen, SNY's Andy Martino confirmed. The deal is pending a physical.

Familia began the 2018 season with the Mets, where he posted a 2.88 ERA in 40.2 innings (40 games) while compiling 17 saves. But, prior to the trade deadline last season, the Mets agreed to a trade with the Athletics for Familia in exchange for 3B prospect Will Toffey, RHP Bobby Wahl, and internation slot money...

Though Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen is fielding calls for a handful of his top players, he admitted on Wednesday it's going to be "very difficult" to trade an ace like Noah Syndergaard. 

After New York acquired elite closer Edwin Diaz and eight-time All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano from Seattle, Van Wagenen made it very clear that the Mets are going all in for the World Series championship next season. As far as conversations at the Winter Meetings go, he envisions holding that trophy with help from his current, star-studded rotation. 

"We're going into this marketplace assuming that both [Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom], as well as Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler, are on our team," Van Wagenen said.

New Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has certainly drummed up plenty of buzz about his team this offseason and most recently during MLB's Winter Meetings.

After trading for Mariners' Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, Van Wagenen has made headlines by aggressively pursuing Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto and even willing to do the unprecedented -- bring the Yankees in as a third team in order to get what he wants.

Allard Baird, the Mets' new vice president and assistant GM of scouting and player development, has certainly been impressed by the agent-turned-GM and he said it should not come as much of a surprise, either.

The Mets have made RHP Noah Syndergaard available, though they have said it would take a special package to move him.

Shortly after that, he was involved in talks about a potential three-way trade that would've had him moving to the Bronx. And while those initial talks died, they may start again. All of this is making fans' heads spin, but Syndergaard is simply choosing to not believe it all. 

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The Mets are "shopping around" Juan Lagares for a potential trade, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

The 29-year-old Lagares, who is currently playing in the Dominican Winter League, had his 2018 season end in mid-May after toe surgery.

He has one year and $9 million left on his deal, along with a $9.5 million option for 2020 that can be bought out for $500,000. 

It's the third day of the Winter Meetings and it feels like something could happen at any minute. Doug Williams, Andy Martino and John Harper talk J.T. Realmuto and trade scenarios...

The Mets have spoken with free agent OF Adam Jones at the Winter Meetings, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post.

The 33-year-old Jones hit .281/.313/.419 with 15 homers in 145 games for the Orioles in 2018 as his slugging percentage dropped to the lowest it has been since 2008, during what was his first full year in the majors. Meanwhile, Jones' defense in center field continued to decline in 2018, with him worth -18 DRS in 906.2 innings in center field and -6 DRS in 272.2 innings in right field.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | With Jones in decline on both sides of the ball, and the Mets preferring to keep Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo in corner outfield spots, it's hard to see Jones as a good fit...

A Mets trade involving Amed Rosario is far from certain, but names of his potential replacement at shortstop have begun to emerge during this week's Winter Meetings.

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has been in touch with the representatives for free agents Alcides Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria and Freddy Galvis, with Galvis being the team's top choice among the trio, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

The Yankees have also been in touch with Galvis' camp, reported Sherman.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

LAS VEGAS - In their search for rotation help, the Yankees continue to pursue both J.A. Happ and Mets pitchers, according to major league sources.

The team has what they consider a strong offer out to Happ, and hope he accepts it. So far, Happ has held strong on his desire for three guaranteed years. The Yankees have been reluctant to go there for a 36-year-old pitcher. Still, there is strong mutual interest.

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...

After conflicting reports earlier this week, it appears Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is for sale. 

The Dodgers are actively trying to trade Puig and Matt Kemp, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

SNY's Andy Martino reports the Mets are not in on Puig, though. 

Mets manager Mickey Callaway said on SNY Tuesday night that he wants as many relief pitchers as possible, so it should come as no surprise that they are also in on Adam Ottavino. 

Per Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Mets and Red Sox have shown continued interest in the hard-throwing free agent right-hander.

Ottavino is also high on the Yankees' wish list, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. 

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen touched on a bunch of topics during his talk with reporters on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. Here are the takeaways...

The Mets had meeting Tuesday afternoon about adding a right-handed hitting outfielder

Van Wagenen would not say who the meeting was with, but the Mets -- as he noted last week -- have interest in free agent center fielder A.J. Pollock. A potential outfield target came off the board earlier Tuesday when the Phillies signed Andrew McCutchen to a three-year deal. 

Amed Rosario's name has come up as a player the Mets could potentially trade to the Marlins for J.T. Realmuto, and Rosario -- who beileves he won't be traded -- wants to stay.

"I'm very happy about the comments that have come out about me not being traded," Rosario said through an interpreter at an event on Tuesday, according to Newsday. "I definitely feel like I'm part of the Mets family and that I'm staying here.

As the Mets remain engaged with the Marlins on a potential deal for Realmuto, they are reluctant to trade Rosario, but not as reluctant as they say publicly, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

The Mets had a preliminary meeting with the representatives for Jacob deGrom on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, per SNY's Andy Martino.

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen later told SNY's Steve Gelbs that the meeting with deGrom's reps on Tuesday was preliminary and that he views deGrom as a big part of the Mets "now and in the future."

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, who arrived in Las Vegas on Monday, said last week that the Mets would be offering deGrom a long-term extension -- the first definitive comments anyone with the Mets has made about the plan for deGrom's future with the team. 

Las Vegas - The Mets remain interested in Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, but are prepared to pivot to a strong pursuit of free agent Yasmani Grandal, according to major league sources.

As trade talks continue for Realmuto -- some with a third team involved, including the Yankees, the Mets still like Grandal as an alternative.

The Mets also remain very interested in fee agent reliever Andrew Miller.

Mickey Callaway was asked Tuesday at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas if Jeff McNeil could potentially push Todd Frazier to become the starter at third base entering the season, His answer was succinct. 

"Frazier is our starter at third base right now," Callaway told reporters. "As we stand here today, Todd Frazier is going to be standing at third base."

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | Callaway could be echoing the sentiments of Brodie Van Wagenen and the front office when it comes to the plan for McNeil in 2019 or he could be saying the above on his own. But if McNeil proves himself to be a better option than Frazier to start at third base, the conventional wisdom has to be that he'll supplant him....

The Mets are reluctant to trade Amed Rosario, but not as reluctant as they say publicly, according to SNY's Andy Martino, who says the Mets remain aggressive in their pursuit of Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto. 

According to FanCred's Jon Heyman, the Mets are debating whether to include Rosario or Noah Syndergaard in a potential deal for Realmuto.

Martino reported Monday night that a three-team deal that would send Syndergaard to the Yankees was a "real possibility." Such a deal could include Realmuto landing with the Mets, but Martino noted that the three-way trade with the Mets and Yankees was one of many scenarios. As of Monday afternoon, the three-team trade talks involving Syndergaard and the Yankees were not progressing, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com...

The good news is that, based on the number of hot stove rumors surrounding the Mets, it's clear GM Brodie Van Wagenen is interested in making big moves.

The bad news is that, based on the number of hot stove rumors surrounding the Mets, if he doesn't make a big move, fans, reporters, other teams and players will see him as all talk and no action...

"I'll admit, I was one of the many people who were skeptical about him going from agent to GM," a rival assistant GM told me Tuesday. However, he continued, "I've never seen anyone change perception and increase his profile so much and as so fast as Brodie has done during the past few weeks."

It's the second day of the Winter Meetings and there's a lot of speculation out there. Doug Williams, Andy Martino and John Harper separate fact from fiction. Highlights include Mets-Yankees trade talks and the latest on Noah Syndergaard.

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Free agent OF Andrew McCutchen has agreed to a three-year deal with the Phillies, according to multiple reports.

The deal will be worth $50 million.

While the Phillies have added an outfielder, it is not expected to take them out of the running for free agent Bryce Harper, who is visiting with teams this week along with agent Scott Boras near the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. 

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has invited David Wright to the Winter Meetings, where he is participating in things such as roster discussions, reports SNY's Andy Martino. 

Martino, who reported in September that Wright could be a prominent member of the Mets' front office in 2019, noted that Wright does not have an official front office title at this time.

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said last week that the team was currently working on a potential injury settlement with Wright.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

LAS VEGAS - Monday night at the winter meetings brought a frenzied rush for information, and the reader at home was left to sift through multiple reports, adrenaline pumping, trying to piece it all together.

So we thought it would be useful to gather everything we know so far in one place. The major story, as of this moment, is that the Mets and Yankees have been in serious trade talk about Noah Syndergaard and other pitchers. Late Monday we reported that the Yanks were "pushing hard" to get a deal done with the Mets.

From the Mets perspective, they considered a trade with the Yankees a real possibility, but one of several options.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Mets fans don't want to trade Noah Syndergaard -- I get it. 

But are you telling me you wouldn't deal him for J.T. Realmuto and Miguel Andujar, with the understanding that Brodie Van Wagenen would then sign another starting pitcher?

Come on, you can't love the long blond hair that much.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | The Mets badly want J.T. Realmuto, so much so that they have had three-way talks with the Yankees and Marlins on a potential deal that would land Realmuto with the Mets and Noah Syndergaard with the Yankees.

SNY's Andy Martino reported late Monday from the Winter Meetings that Syndergaard to the Yankees is one of many scenarios in play for the Mets, and added that the Yankees' interest in the Mets' pitching is not limited to Syndergaard.

While adding Realmuto would be huge for the Mets, they should absolutely not do it at the expense of Syndergaard -- unless another major piece is coming back to them in return. And by major, we mean an impact piece...

The MLB Winter Meetings officially are underway through Thursday in Las Vegas.

Here are the latest headlines and rumblings from each of the above markets, followed by my own insight and anaylsis.

Van Wagenen's pursuit of J.T. Realmuto...

The Mets are considered one of only three teams still in the mix to trade for Marlins C J.T. Realmuto, according to MLB.com's veteran Miami reporter Joe Frisaro.

The Mets, Yankees and Marlins are discussing a potential three-team deal that could involve RHP Noah Syndergaard going to the Yankees and catcher J.T. Realmuto going to the Mets, according to multiple reports.

There is a "real possibility," SNY.tv's Andy Martino reports, that Syndergaard joins the Yankees in a blockbuster trade, however the Mets are also considering "10 other scenarios," according to Martino.

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said earlier this offseason it would take "very special circumstances" to "even consider" trading Syndergaard, the dominant Mets starter who went 13-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 25 starts last season.

If Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen is serious about signing former Yankees reliever David Robertson, he may find himself in a bidding war with the World Series champs.

With closer Craig Kimbrel seeking a mega-deal and reliever Joe Kelly also a free agent, the Red Sox are strongly considering adding Robertson to their bullpen, according to the New York Post.

"They are heavy on him," a source with knowledge of Boston's free-agent plans said of Robertson, the Post reported.

The Marlins want two major league pieces (at least) in exchange for catcher J.T. Realmuto. And while the Mets remain engaged with the Marlins on a potential trade, GM Brodie Van Wagenen doesn't seem like he's willing to budge on Amed Rosario. 

Asked specifically about how willing he is to deal Rosario, Van Wagenen was blunt:

"I think the way I look at any trade is that we want the trade to make us better," Van Wagenen said Monday at the Winter Meetings. "We don't want to create a hole that we didn't have by filling a hole that we did have, right? So we want to make sure that if we do make moves that we're adding to our strengths and filling the gaps where we needed the help. But we're not gonna create a hole by filling another."

The Mets had a meeting with free agent C Wilson Ramos on Monday, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Ramos, 31, could be a fallback option at catcher -- along with Yasmani Grandal or Martin Maldonado -- if the Mets aren't able to trade for Marlins C J.T. Realmuto, SNY's Andy Martino reported earlier Monday. 

Ramos is one of the better offensive catchers in baseball, but his defense leaves a bit to be desired.

Mets first base prospect Peter Alonso, who will be with the team during spring training and could get the nod at first base on Opening Day, says he has improved his defense "tremendously." And he's out to "prove people wrong." 

"Every time I see something online, every time someone knocks me, it's like 'oh, he's not good at defense.' I've really shown that -- since July, I don't think I've made an error since last June," Alonso told SNY's Steve Gelbs on Monday at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. "That's July, August, September, and throughout the (Arizona) Fall League. I've gotten tremendously better. I'm really proud of myself. I'm just trying to keep it snowballing so I can prove people wrong and so I can be happy and play the game I love."

Alonso agreed that when people question his defense it becomes a motivating factor.

The Mets are serious about trading for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, according to SNY's Andy Martino. If they miss out on him, though, the team has a few Plan B's.

That pivot would be to free agents such as Yasmani Grandal, Wilson Ramos, and Martin Maldonado, Martino noted on Monday. 

With the Marlins' asking price for Realmuto being astronomical, though it has reportedly come down a bit, the Mets going after one of the free agent catchers might make more sense.

It's the first day of the Winter Meetings and there hasn't been much noise from Las Vegas. Doug Williams, Andy Martino and John Harper break down early reports and questions from fans. Highlights include J.T. Realmuto, Brodie Van Wagenen, and Andrew Miller talk.

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We're LIVE from the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, taking your questions on the next moves for the Mets.

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By end of the Winter Meetings on Thursday, I expect the Mets will...

1. Sign a high-end free-agent reliever

The Mets have discussed contract terms with free-agent relievers Andrew Miller and David Robertson, I've heard from team insiders. I'm sure they've gone this far down the road with the prominent relievers such as Adam Ottavino as well. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

LAS VEGAS - True to his style, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen arrived at the winter meetings on Sunday with many ideas and pursuits in mind, and ready for the week to take any number of turns.

But talk around the Mets as the meetings begin points us toward lefty reliever Andrew Miller in particular as a free agent to watch this week.

Miller has also drawn interest from the Phillies, Cardinals and Red Sox, among other teams. The Mets, whose manager Mickey Callaway coached Miller in Cleveland, continue to see him as a fit.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Harold Baines, really? 

A very good player, obviously, yet upon hearing that Baines was elected to the Hall of Fame on Sunday by a 16-person committee, I couldn't help but think immediately of a couple of dozen former star players who are more deserving. 

One of them being Keith Hernandez. 

The MLB Winter Meetings officially begin Monday through Thursday in Las Vegas.

The Mets should be looking to improve their bullpen, as well as add an everyday catcher, at least one impact hitter and depth beneath the entire roster.

Here are the latest headlines and rumblings from each of the above markets, followed by my own insight and anaylsis.