The news conference started, and Granderson said hi to his mother. He said he stayed in New York to continue his charity work. He poked fun at the Yankees. He was confident, clean-cut, charming and funny. He seemed likable and competent, the embodiment of what it seems the Mets are aspiring to be.

Then later, as Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer, met with reporters, he was asked whether the team was ready to win next season. His face went blank and his eyes stared off as he considered the question for more than a moment.

“I think we’re still building,” he said. “I mean, we’d like to win next season, of course. But I can’t tell you what other moves Sandy is going to be able to make between now and opening day. We’ve got a long way to go. This is the second day of the winter meetings.”

It is true that moves can still be made, but with the Mets missing the young ace Matt Harvey, it may not be realistic to think they will contend before 2015. And even if Harvey were not absent for next season after Tommy John elbow surgery, it seemed that the Mets would not spend much more money than they already have. Alderson said this week that the team might have to live with certain weaknesses, having reiterated the importance of smart, balanced spending.

Alderson could probably use an upgrade at shortstop, one or two more starting pitchers, and a reliever or two. But his best return might come in a trade for Ike Davis or Daniel Murphy or both. Alderson indicated that he would not spend another $60 million on a free agent this off-season, as he did on Granderson.

Instead of perhaps chasing Stephen Drew, who could command a contract worth more than $10 million a year, Alderson was open to having Ruben Tejada as his everyday shortstop. Alderson and Manager Terry Collins seemed pleased with Tejada’s progress in a recent four-week fitness and nutrition program that the team set up in Michigan.

Collins seemed fine with having Tejada at shortstop, despite his spotty reputation. Collins said he spoke with Tejada after the season, looked him in the eye and could tell he was upset with himself and would work harder. After batting .289 in 114 games as the Mets’ primary shortstop in 2012, Tejada played more games in the minors than the majors last season.

“I think he’s bound and determined to show everybody that he is the guy,” Collins said.

Wilmer Flores and Lucas Duda were also among the players in the program and were producing good results, according to Collins. If Murphy and Davis are traded, Flores and Duda might start on the right side of the infield.

Flores (22), Tejada (24), and Duda (27) are all still relatively young and, to some extent, unproven.

Duda and Tejada intend to return to the fitness program in January. If the Mets do end up counting on them and Flores, maybe each will take another step, or, as Alderson said, the Mets may have to live with certain weaknesses.