The New York Mets have ample depth at third base. Between Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis, and Jed Lowrie (hopefully), the team figures to be well-stocked at the hot corner.

At Carlos Beltran‘s introductory press conference, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen told reporters, “We’re going to be creative with the roster,”, noting the above-referenced players as evidence of “depth at [the third base] position”.

That’s true. All three can play third base. Though, some more effectively than others.

McNeil’s three defensive runs saved and 19.4 ultimate zone rating per 150 games over 154.1 innings there last season were proof positive of his talent level at the hot corner. The latter mark ranked first among MLB third basemen with over 150 innings played in 2019.

Davis, while shining at the plate during his first full season in the majors (.307/.369/.527, 22 home runs, 136 wRC+, 453 plate appearances), was not great in the field — most glaringly at third (-9 DRS, -6.1 UZR/150).

And Lowrie, who hasn’t still hasn’t played an inning in the field in a Mets uniform, accumulated -2 DRS and -7.9 UZR/150 over 125 innings at third with Oakland in 2018.

McNeil, who can play just about anywhere he’s asked to, was the only Mets outfielder to record positive defensive runs saved (+2) in the outfield last season (-2.3 UZR/150). Unless the team adds a true centerfielder, he will likely be asked to reprise his role as the Mets’ left fielder in 2020 on a part-to-full-time basis.

That leaves a serious drop off in defense at third base when McNeil’s not there. Enter free agent, Josh Donaldson.

Donaldson, 33, played out his one-year, $23 million deal with Atlanta last season, performing extremely well at the dish during his time there (.259/.379/.521, 37 HR, 94 RBIs, 132 wRC+, 4.9 fWAR).

But the seven-year MLB veteran’s defending skills at third are what should truly be enticing Brodie & Co. Over 1,297 innings at third in 2019, Donaldson’s 15 DRS was second in MLB to Colorado’s Nolan Arenado (2.1 UZR/150, 28th). The Mets, as a team, had the worst DRS (-93) and 11th-ranked UZR/150 (-2.1). Adding Donaldson would help considerably, on both sides of the chalk.

So, in theory, if the Mets decided to add Donaldson to a short-term, albeit lucrative contract (three years, $75 million?), they’d have the luxury of top-notch defense and offense at third base full time, McNeil loosely tied to his post in left — still with the ability to roam — and a blossoming linchpin hitter in Davis anchoring their bench.

Sounds like a plan to me, with just one tiny hitch. With only $17 million to spend before reaching MLB’s 2020 luxury tax threshold ($208 million; Mets’ payroll is projected to be just shy of $182 million before any additions, via FanGraphs), there’s not a ton of wiggle room for Van Wagenen and his front office to “get creative”.

Though, since the threshold is just that, a threshold, and not a hard cap, it can be broken. And — in a beneficial turn of events for the Mets — the punishment for first-time offenders is the equivalent of a slap on the wrist.

As per MLB’s guidelines, “a club exceeding the Competitive Balance Tax threshold for the first time must pay a 20 percent tax on all overages”. So, if the Mets went over the threshold by $2 million, they’d owe $400,000. $10 million? $2 million tax.

When you consider Yoenis Cespedes‘ ($29.5 million in 2020) and David Wright‘s ($12 million) contracts will be coming off the books after the season, leaving the Mets well below the 2021 threshold ($210 million), this would presumably be a one-time push.

While this core is here and relatively cheap, a few million dollars is an agreeable price to pay for an increased chance at a World Series title, no?

With reports regarding the Phillies’ and Rangers’ interest in adding Donaldson surfacing on Friday (via Jeff Passan, ESPN; Mark Feinsand, MLB), if the Mets do have any inclination to bring the Bringer of Rain to Queens, they better act fast.