2014-2015 Offseason Plan: What's Next? Who's Next?

The Mets jumped out of the gates hot, securing free agent Michael Cuddyer to a 2 year/21 million dollar contract on November 10th, a few days after free agency began. The Colorado Rockies offered Cuddyer a qualifying offer of 1 year/ 15 million to return. To the surprise of fans and media alike, Sandy Alderson filled his need in left field by prying Cuddyer away from his qualifying offer, with he held of David Wright. Cuddyer, plus the return of Matt Harvey have Mets fans as optimistic as ever, but the questions still bears asking: What's next?

It feels like the entire offseason is still a head of us. The winter meetings haven't even begun yet, and the Mets seem quiet after a hot start. Looking over the team, there's still a need two areas: shortstop, and a left handed reliever. Sandy Alderson's recent comments coupled with the thin free agent and trade market has many fans speculating the team will either go into spring training with 23-year old Wimer Flores manning short stop, or wait until at least January or February to reassess the trade/free agent market. But, where does this leave the Mets in terms of a left handed reliever?

Multiple resports surfaced late this week that the Mets will acquire a left handed reliever by the end of the winter meetings in early December. The speculated list of lefties included Phil Coke, Joe Beimel and Craig Breslow. It has been thought all along the Mets were shopping pitchers Colon, Neise, and Gee for either an outfield bat or shortstop. Turns out, the Mets may trade one for a left handed reliever to go along with Jhenry Mejia, Bobby Parnell, Josh Edgin, the long lefty, Jeurys Familia, and Vic Black.