Photo: Wall Street Journal

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen kicked off his second Winter Meetings with a presser on Monday night in San Diego, California.

The meetings come less than a week after it was reported that the Wilpons and the rest of Mets ownership, are negotiating the sale of the team with billionaire Steve Cohen. Of course that news – an answer to the dreams of Mets fans – had increased hope surrounding the team.

No Comment 

Brodie was asked to comment on the potential of Steve Cohen buying the Mets in a variety of different ways, including whether he had ever met the billionaire that already owns a minority stake in the team. Each time his answer was that he was not going to talk about the topic.

We’ve heard very little from the Mets since last week when they released an extremely vague press release that stated even if Cohen bought the team, that Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon would stay in their current roles for five years.

Mets Catching Depth is Fine

Earlier this offseason, Van Wagenen noted that one of the Mets needs was a veteran defensive-minded catcher to pair with the offensive-minded Wilson Ramos.

On Monday – when asked if they were still looking – didn’t rule out a move, but noted that they had recently added catching prospect Ali Sanchez to the 40-man roster and they were comfortable with the three catchers on the 40.

Wheeler Value Wasn’t There

Naturally, former Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler was a hot topic of the presser after signing with the rival Phillies last week.

Van Wagenen on Wheeler’s five-year, $118 million deal with the Phillies, “the projections we have for Wheeler short and long-term, didn’t match up with the market he was able to enjoy.”

The second-year GM went on to note that he saw the July trade for Marcus Stroman as the Mets replacement for Zack Wheeler.

Mets Sound All Set in Outfield

A right-handed hitting, defensively strong center fielder was set forth as a need by Brodie to start the offseason. The Mets acquired a strong defensive, right-handed hitting center fielder in Jake Marisnick from the Astros last week.

So, are the Mets settled in the outfield now?

Van Wagenen noted that he was able to fill exactly the need he was looking for with Marisnick – and while he noted the Mets would be open to more moves – it sure sounded like the Mets outfield was set with the current roster.

Depth or Being Cheap

Name dropping both Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman has been a common theme when Van Wagenen has been asked about how to fill the hole created in the rotation by Wheeler signing with the Phillies.

Wheeler signed with the Phillies, Stephen Strasburg with the Nationals, Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles to the Rangers, Cole Hamels to the Braves, while Jake Odorizzi and Michael Pineda returned to the Twins.

No word of the Mets even showing interest in any of those starters, including Wheeler. They’ve been noted to have interest in Rick Porcello, though Andy Martino of SNY notes that even him (coming off a season as one of the majors worst starters) could be out of the Mets price range.

Van Wagenen used the word depth on numerous occasions on Monday night when talking about what the Mets needed to add. The problem with that is, they need more than “depth” to make this current Mets roster a serious NL East division contender.

Depth sounds a lot like another third place finish.