On this week’s edition of Mets Hot Stove, Gary Apple asked the panel of Jim Duquette, Todd Zeile, and Andy Martino if the Mets should prioritize George Springer or J.T. Realmuto this offseason.

It’s an interesting question, as both players could fill significant needs on the Mets roster. Of course, with Steve Cohen and his resources now in charge, it’s possible that both players (and why not throw in Trevor Bauer) could be Mets in 2021. However, the luxury tax is a consideration, and both Cohen and Sandy Alderson have expressed that their motivation is to spend, but to do so wisely. So let’s try to answer Apple’s question.

Starting with Realmuto, catcher is a very big gap on the current Mets’ roster. Wilson Ramos will not return. In 2020, he offered little offensively and defensively. Ramos slashed .239/.287/.387 with five home runs. His DRS was -1.0. Contrast that to Realmuto’s slash line of .266/.349/.491 with 11 home runs, and a DRS of 0.0. In terms of fWAR, Ramos was at 0.2 while Realmuto had a 1.7 mark in 2020.

The concern with Realmuto is that he will be 30 years old next season, and likely command a contract length in the neighborhood of five years. Todd Zeile felt Realmuto should be the priority, because of what he can do offensively, and just as importantly, defensively. The Mets’ pitching staff would stand to benefit from having Realmuto as their primary receiver.

Turning to Springer, center field is another need for the Mets. Brandon Nimmo saw the bulk of the action last season, slashing .280/.404/.484 with eight home runs. While his offense was certainly acceptable, Nimmo is not a major league quality center fielder. His DRS in 2020 was -5 in center field. Springer slashed .265/.359/.540 with 14 home runs last season. His DRS in center field was 6. Springer posted a fWAR of 1.9 in 2020, while Nimmo’s mark was 1.5.

Springer will be 31 years old next season. He will likely command a new contract length of 3-5 years. Jim Duquette thought Springer may be the priority, and pointed to Springer’s local roots (CT), and the importance of defense in center field  for his reasoning.

Friday night on Baseball Night in New York, Ron Darling was asked the same question about whether Springer or Realmuto should be the priority. Darling agreed with Duquette, also citing Springer’s CT roots, and his defensive abilities. Darling added that Springer is a right-handed hitter (as is Realmuto), and that would help the Mets, who are left-handed dominant.

If the Mets were to acquire Springer, Nimmo’s future with (or without) the Mets could take several pathways. Nimmo could move the left field, where he is better defensively (DRS of 2 in 2020, in a small sample size, career DRS of 5). Keeping Nimmo’s high OBP in the lineup should intrigue the Mets, but his OBP may intrigue other teams (such as Cleveland), and Nimmo could be used in a trade.

The availability of alternatives will definitely factor into the Mets’ decisions on both Realmuto and Springer. James McCann has been linked to the Mets as a possibility at catcher, while Manuel Margot has been floated as a potential Mets target for center field. As the off season goes on, other names will surface. However, Springer and Realmuto are the headline possibilities in center field and behind the plate.

No matter what happens, Steve Cohen’s ownership is less than 72 hours old, and the conversation around the Mets has already changed dramatically. As Sandy Alderson said on Tuesday, “the discussion is about the acquisition, not the cost of the acquisition.” The Mets are now “in” on top-shelf talent, not allowing other teams to shop in the gourmet aisle and waiting to see what may be on sale as leftovers (thanks for the analogy, Sandy).

It warrants repeating. A new day has dawned in Queens. The conversations are already completely different than in off seasons past, and soon the construct of the roster will reflect a reformed, well-financed approach.

How many days until Spring Training?