Joel Sherman

Joel Sherman

MLB

How an improved Mets lineup could look in 2014

The offseason has barely begun, but it is time to introduce you to the 2014 Mets lineup:

1. Norichika Aoki, LF. 2. Daniel Murphy, 2B. 3. David Wright, 3B. 4. Andre Ethier, RF. 5. Jhonny Peralta, SS. 6. Lucas Duda, 1B. 7. Travis d’Arnaud, C. 8. Juan Lagares, CF.

OK, right, this is not actually going to be the Mets lineup. Consider it more a guide. I have talked to Mets officials, outside officials and agents over the past few days to better get a sense of where the Mets are heading. This lineup represents concepts that were most discussed.

I picked the lineup because the Mets are most fixated on improving their offense, but recognize they must find a veteran caddy for d’Arnaud, one innings-eating starter, at least one late-inning bullpen piece and better all-around depth.

From these conversations, here are some of the major themes that have emerged:

1. Forget Shin-Soo Choo and Jacoby Ellsbury.

It is possible the Scott Boras clients already have forgotten the Mets, feeling the organization is not ready to dabble in the $100 million-plus realm. The Mets do remain organizationally unnerved over getting too little from Johan Santana for $137.5 million and almost nothing from Jason Bay for $66 million.

With many needs, the Mets are not going to sink $20 million-ish into one item. So already, we know they are not shopping on Fifth Avenue this winter.

2. Ike Davis is going, going …

The Mets are canvassing to find who wants him and for how much. Yes, they believe a change of scenery can unleash a consistent 30-homer force. But they know Davis needs the change of scenery. They have agreed to agree they can’t afford to have Davis go 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Opening Day next year and descend the team into a here-we-go-again malaise.

The Brewers have made it known they want a lefty power bat at first and so I am suggesting a Davis for Aoki deal (the emergence of Khris Davis and the return from suspension of Ryan Braun make Aoki very available). It saves the Mets about $1.5 million in 2014 and provides a .350 on-base percentage leadoff man. That allows them to improve their depth by turning the on-base challenged Eric Young into a super sub/late-game runner/double-switch piece. But the Mets are going to use next week’s GM Meetings to better gauge Davis’ market.

And, yes, the Mets do want to see if playing first base full-time moves Duda to consistently provide the walks and homers Sandy Alderson so adores.

3. The Mets like Peralta.

They are not scared off by his Biogenesis ties. They know he has limited range. But they need offense at the position: Their shortstops had an MLB-low three homers and an NL-low .561 OPS.

The Mets also believe it is important, if possible, to make a quick strike in free agency, to signal seriousness to apathetic fans and to show other free agents they are a desirable landing spot. Right or wrong, the Mets think signing Pedro Martinez after the 2004 campaign was a gateway to luring other players. Peralta is not Martinez. But he is a good player at a position the Mets are most desperate to upgrade.

If not Peralta, I think the Mets will peruse a trade market that could include the Indians’ Asdrubal Cabrera, the White Sox’s Alexei Ramirez, the Athletics’ Jed Lowrie and — depending on who they go with as their starter — the Diamondbacks’ Didi Gregorius or Chris Owings.

4. The Mets have pitching to trade.

They will protect Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler, and feel it will be tougher to deal Jon Niese or Dillon Gee now that Matt Harvey will be missing next year. But if they bundle some minor league pitching — perhaps headed by Rafael Montero — can that attract another quality bat?

Terry Collins had Matt Kemp in the Dodgers’ minor leagues and loves him. But his multiple injuries, remaining salary (six years at $128 million) and the fact Los Angeles will still expect a big return makes him a hard buy. The Dodgers might sell low on Ethier to get out of as much of the four years at $71.5 million left as possible. Or the Mets could simply try to buy Curtis Granderson.

5. Depth matters.

Go to a Mets box score after Aug. 1 over the last four years and see who is on the field once attrition and injury take away the team’s frontline. It is not pretty. The club knows depth matters. I could imagine a defensive specialist such as free-agent Jose Molina as a backup for d’Arnaud. I could see them signing a player who plays multiple positions and is familiar with winning, such as Nick Punto. If the budget works, they could gamble on Corey Hart as a heavily used first baseman and corner outfielder.

They are going to try to support the Harvey-less rotation by adding an innings-eater. Free agents such as Bronson Arroyo and Scott Feldman perhaps will stretch their budget too much, forcing them to consider a reunion with Chris Capuano or Mike Pelfrey, or trade for someone such as Detroit’s Rick Porcello or Baltimore’s Bud Norris.

The Mets also plan to add at least one late-inning bullpen piece to team with Bobby Parnell. That could be a LaTroy Hawkins return. But, if not, maybe an Edward Mujica or Kevin Gregg fits the criteria, or in a trade, San Diego’s Luke Gregerson or Colorado’s Matt Belisle.