Mets will have very different questions to answers this offseason

The Mets went into the offseason last year in a transition mode after shedding big contracts on which significant money was still owed. There will be no such talk of transition this offseason, after the Mets advanced to Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers and captivated a fan base starved for October excitement. As the Dodgers prepare to face the Yankees in the World Series, the Mets begin the quest to close the gap between themselves and their West Coast rival. Here are the big questions staring at team owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns: The Mets didn’t enter the Aaron Judge sweepstakes two years ago as part of a gentlemanly gesture by Cohen toward his neighbor.But there is a big difference this time around: Judge was a homegrown Yankee and odds were against him leaving The Bronx.

Soto falls more into the category of hired gun after the Nationals traded him to the Padres, who dealt him last winter to the Yankees. Soto, who turns 26 Friday, would help retool a Mets lineup that paled in comparison to the Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman wrecking crew possessed by the Dodgers. Francisco Lindor is on that level of offensive performer and Mark Vientos appears on his way, but the Dodgers lineup largely outclassed the Mets. Stearns isn’t going to hand the free-agent first baseman a blank check.Alonso had a solid regular season and hit two big home runs in particular in the postseason — one of which allowed the Mets to advance past the wild-card round — but there were also many stretches when Alonso just seemed to disappear.

Only complicating the Alonso decision is the Soto factor.If the Mets push hard to land Soto (who like Alonso is represented by Scott Boras) does that leave room for another potential nine-figure contract? Maybe the Mets are satisfied with Vientos’ growth as a third baseman and decide to leave him at the position.

But Vientos moving to first base would also allow opportunities for Br...