Next up is the process of making a one-year qualifying offer for second baseman Daniel Murphy, ensuring Draft-pick compensation under the likely scenario that he declines it.
Once those issues are out of the way, New York will move into the free-agency period itself. With both Murphy and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes unlikely to return to Flushing, the Mets must figure out the most efficient way to replace them. Second base could be as simple as promoting from within. Outfield appears a bit more complex.
What's clear is that the team that reports to Port St.