Last week, I wrote about Trevor Bauer and the game he played with the Mets. Then, disappointment set in for some Mets fans. Recall, also, I wrote Sandy Alderson and the Mets were not finished in fulfilling their off-season needs. 

The chapter is closed on Trevor Bauer. I said last week also that this was a good thing for the Mets. You see, I call Sandy Alderson a “Master” without any bit of sarcasm and Wednesday was another example. 

Indeed, “The Master” was at work again. I said Alderson does not sit still and a three-way deal got the Mets Khalil Lee, a 22-year old prospect from the Royals. Khalil adds to the depth chart as Alderson continues his goal to replenish the Mets minor league system.

In due time, Khali will cut down his strikeout ratio at the plate. He can run and command the outfield with his speed and depth. In time, Lee could work his way to be the everyday centerfielder.

We never got to know pitching prospect Josh Winckowski. He will be remembered as one piece that was acquired from Toronto for Steven Matz, and part of the three-way trade that sent him to the Red Sox.

So this is a part of the Sandy Alderson plan. Yes, Trevor Bauer would have been that great addition to the rotation. George Springer would have made this off-season complete for the new regime netting a much needed center fielder for at least four years.

But the off-season is not over and neither is the task of filling the pieces. Repeating what I stated here last week, there is a method to the madness of Sandy Alderson by adding depth and rebuilding the minor league system. It has nothing to do with cautiously spending Steve Cohen’s money in not acquiring Springer or Bauer.

Those were decisions of Trevor Bauer and George Springer to play elsewhere. Sandy Alderson and the Mets made their pitch. Of course Mets fans are not satisfied, and indeed after all of those years of futility to land that player or two that would make a significant impact. you are expected to be disappointed.

Already,the Mets have used their resources and there is not a concern about going over a salary threshold because Sandy Alderson and the Mets are in a good place, with every expectation this is a team assembling next week in Port St. Lucie that will contend and play deep into October. 

But winning 96 games and taking the NL East by a wide margin, as projected by the PECOTA standings, is hard to envision because the division is, by far, the toughest to win in baseball. But the Mets as constructed will be as good as the Braves, Nationals, and Phillies. 

Are the Mets an elite team in the NL with the Dodgers, Padres, and Braves? At this point they can hang with these teams but not good enough to reach the World Series, then again look at 2015 and the unexpected Mets run that fell short to the Royals in late October with pitching and the Sandy Alderson roster additions.

So Sandy Alderson is not done, though the off-season has been a success in establishing the Mets as a serious contender despite falling short of acquiring Springer and Bauer.

I am not reviewing the Bob Murphy “Happy Recap” regarding the acquisitions of James McCann, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, and bringing back Marcus Stroman. Nor am I analyzing again the added depth of Trevor May and Aaron Loup to the bullpen, all good additions. 

The  trade for left hander Joey Lucchesi from the Padres could be a sleeper as a fifth starter in the rotation. There is power off the bench and depth in the outfield with additions of Albert Almora Jr, and Jose Martinez.  

No, Sandy Alderson “The Master” was not done and quickly Jonathan Villar was added to the mix. The  1-year $3.55 million contract will be official pending a physical and add more depth to the infield.

Which leads me again to the magnitude of these additions to the roster that have added depth and provides the Mets with their strongest bench roster of players they’ve had in years.

It’s a win now and all- in attitude in the trusted hands of Sandy Alderson. And that three-team deal Wednesday could be the stepping stone to doing more. 

Late Thursday, I learned from sources the Mets have continued interest in the Cubs’ Kris Bryant. The Mets are also looking to shed some salary as reported and either the contracts of Jeurys Familia or Dellin Betances could be part of a trade with J.D. Davis.

This is why I call Sandy Alderson  “The Master.” He is in control and the trade for Matz and a short tenure for Josh Winckowski are a part of the continued off-season moves that are putting the Mets in good position.

And a pitching rotation without Trevor Bauer is no loss with Noah Syndergaard back from Tommy John surgery at some point in July. The Mets still have a solid core of starters that are as capable as anyone the Braves, Nationals, and Phillies will have on the mound.

But it is this “master” plan of Sandy Alderson. It’s looking good and certainly by all means the work will continue until Opening Day and beyond.

Rich Mancuso: Twitter@Ring786  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso