The New York Mets made their presence known at the recently concluded Winter Meetings, as they laid the foundation for their offseason moves and expressed their intentions to strengthen key areas of their roster. Although the meetings did not yield any major deals, the Mets showcased their interest in several players, leaving fans eager for the upcoming weeks leading to Christmas.

One of the biggest takeaways from the Winter Meetings was the Mets' strong pursuit of Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns made a significant effort by traveling to Japan to meet with Yamamoto and his family, underscoring the team's commitment to securing the talented pitcher. The Mets view Yamamoto as a potential elite front-end starter, and they hope to make him the centerpiece of their offseason acquisitions.

While the Mets didn't complete any major bullpen deals at the Winter Meetings, Stearns emphasized the team's intention to add one or two relief arms on Major League contracts before the offseason concludes. In the meantime, they have been signing lesser-known pitchers to Minor League contracts, waiver claims, and split deals. The team aims to bolster their bullpen with diverse skillsets, including hard throwers, softer throwers, and pitchers with different arm slots.

Addressing their outfield concerns, the Mets currently have only three full-time outfielders on their 40-man roster who might contribute to the big league team next season. Center fielder Michael A. Taylor and Korean free agent Jung Hoo Lee have emerged as potential targets to strengthen the outfield. The team may also look to add a powerful corner outfielder who can handle regular designated hitter (DH) duties, with Teoscar Hernández and Jorge Soler being mentioned as possible options. Stearns acknowledged the team's need to add an outfielder on a Major League contract to boost their offensive capabilities.

In a surprising move, the Mets expressed their commitment to finding an in-house solution at third base. While this decision is attributed to the lack of standout options in the free-agent market, it raises expectations for prospects such as Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos to compete for the full-time third baseman role during spring training. The competition promises to be an intriguing storyline to watch as the season approaches.

In regards to first baseman Pete Alonso, Stearns made it clear that he expects Alonso to be the Opening Day starter. While some fans may have doubts, the Mets' management firmly believes in Alonso's capabilities and has no plans to trade him at the moment. However, with potential extension talks looming this offseason and the possibility of a trade if the team falls out of contention in July, Alonso's future may still be subject to change.

As the Winter Meetings conclude, the Mets will continue to work behind the scenes, strategizing and negotiating with players in the hopes of strengthening their roster. The next two weeks leading up to Christmas are likely to be filled with rumors and potential deals as the Mets aim to make significant moves before the start of the 2022 season.