How the Mets still could reinforce the lineup — if they’re only bluffing

The Mets have Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil as the known producers in their lineup heading to spring training.

Even from that group, McNeil had an anemic first half last season and didn’t begin to resemble the player who won the batting title the previous year until August — after the Mets essentially had conceded on reaching the playoffs.

It begs the question: Is president of baseball operations David Stearns serious in his contention the team doesn’t necessarily need another bat, or is he just posturing?

Here was Stearns two weeks ago on a Zoom call when asked about potentially adding a bat: