Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

According to MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal, James McCann and the Mets are close to an agreement which would fill their need at catcher. 

An NL source informed me today that a McCann deal is imminent, which would give him four years and cost much less than a deal for J.T. Realmuto. Obtaining McCann provides the Mets with more leverage in their hunt to fill gaps via free agency.

So with the annual Winter Meetings in a virtual session, the Mets are making progress. There could be a flurry of activity in the next few days and in the coming weeks, even without a general manager in place under Sandy Alderson.

Free agency appears to be the route. The trade market is not a priority at this point. In other words, the Mets have the resources to spend. They have that flexibility as they never had in the past.

“The Mets would rather spend than trade and keep the assets they have,” said the source.

So that would mean any thought of acquiring Francisco Lindor from the Indians is less likely. Depending on the outfield and the DH returning to the National League, assume  Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis are staying put for now.

Though this does not mean the Mets will totally ignore wheeling and dealing before the start of spring training. The same source said everything is up in the air as the ongoing coronavirus is expected to cause a delay at the start of the 2021 season. A full schedule of 162 games is in question.

What can be determined is the Mets getting the McCann deal finalized. And according to the source, the Mets are not that far from reaching a deal with George Springer that will fill a need in their outfield.

“McCann is solid and gives the Mets flexibility to do other things,” said the source. 

The flexibility is pursuing the need to acquire Springer. And there is continued discussion about signing Trevor Bauer to a deal that obviously fills a need in the starting rotation. Bauer is the coveted free agent and the Mets, according to the source, are not out of the question.

“The Mets, as with every team, know that you go nowhere without pitching,” said the source. 

It’s a matter of how much and how long of a deal that would enable Bauer to join the rotation with Jacob deGrom that could  provide the Mets with a lethal one-two punch in the rotation. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, Sandy Alderson is in control of the negotiations regarding free agency. The search for a GM is ongoing and who is appointed will likely have a previous and close working relationship with Alderson.

When asked, the source said Billy Owens and J.P. Ricciardi are names that Alderson is associated with. Owens, the longtime Oakland A’s executive, has worked with Alderson the past two years. 

Ricciardi also has the previous relationship with Alderson during his first tenure with the Mets. Though it is not confirmed that either has been interviewed or is close to becoming the next Mets GM.

But it is almost certain that James McCann will be the next big splash for the Mets in a free agent market that will move slowly. 

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