The 5 biggest issues still confronting the Mets

1. Ike Davis or Lucas Duda?

Mets officials have suggested they could wait until deep into the winter, when teams become more desperate for power, to deal Davis or Duda. Of the two, Davis has the higher ceiling and likely would bring the Mets more of a return.

If a deal can’t be struck at the Winter Meetings, the Mets can at least use the next few days to get a better read on which teams still are interested. One potential suitor at the general managers’ meetings, the Rockies, have since signed Justin Morneau, and the Brewers no longer seem as if they are a match with the Mets, after dealing Norichika Aoki to the Royals. Maybe the Mets can find a deal with the Rays or Astros.

The fact that Davis stands to collect at least $3 million next year could make him harder to trade. Duda will make considerably less.

2. Is there a shortstop available?

Jhonny Peralta, the Mets’ primary shortstop target this offseason, received a four-year deal worth $53 million from the Cardinals. The Mets had hoped to land the veteran shortstop on a two-year deal.

The Mets’ chances of signing free agent Stephen Drew — a Scott Boras client — appear slim, and anybody with a good starting shortstop likely will want a prized pitching prospect in return. It could leave the Mets, as  Alderson has suggested, with Ruben Tejada as the starting shortstop heading into spring training. At worst case, the Mets need to find a veteran placeholder who can challenge Tejada — whose complacency has disappointed team officials — for the starting job.

3. How about an arm for the rotation?

Phil Hughes was high on the Mets’ list of possibilities until it became evident he would receive a multi-year deal. The right-hander signed with the Twins for three years and $24 million, leaving the Mets to re-evaluate their short list.

Bronson Arroyo will probably command the same type of deal as Hughes, if not better, making him an unlikely fit for the Mets. If the team wants another lefty to join Jon Niese, it could look toward veteran Joe Saunders, who struggled with the Mariners last season but is a proven innings-eater.

Alderson’s goal should be to land a higher-end pitcher than in recent offseasons, when reclamation projects such as Chris Young and Shaun Marcum were signed.

4. Is there relief in sight?

A veteran presence to replace LaTroy Hawkins would help. Along those lines, the Mets have discussed a minor league contract with Alfredo Aceves, but Alderson might want to aim higher. As it stands, Bobby Parnell, Vic Black and Jeurys Familia are the best bullpen options the Mets have for 2014.

More depth is needed.

5. What’s the catch?

Anthony Recker was a decent backup catcher last season, but the Mets would love to have protection in case Travis d’Arnaud starts the season slowly or gets hurt. But it seems unlikely the Mets will have much to spend on the position given their other pressing needs.