This was a losing season for the Mets, but not a lost season.

They received huge steps forward by Vic Black, Travis d’Arnaud, Jacob deGrom, Matt den Dekker, Lucas Duda, Jeurys Familia, Wilmer Flores, Dilson Herrera, Jenrry Mejia and Zack Wheeler. Not all of them will continue forward, of course.

But it is enough to provide a solid group of cost-effective pieces. Add in Matt Harvey and Bobby Parnell returning from Tommy John surgery and Noah Syndergaard ready to lead another wave of talented prospects, and the Mets have something for real that they have had to manufacture in recent years — hope.

They go into this offseason with the best talent base of general manager Sandy Alderson’s administration. It is no longer spin to think that the right moves of winter can transform the Mets into, at the least, strong wild card contenders in 2015. Baseball ops promises to be tireless and creative in finding the proper pieces.

So it can’t be lip service from ownership that payroll will expand if necessary. There is no reason the Mets cannot go to the Braves’ $110 million range, which is middle of the pack for the 30 teams. I can understand if they want to avoid the long-term risk. But there will be opportunities through free agency and trades to obtain assets for three or fewer years and for $10 million annually or less, and if the Mets — at such a vital crossroads moment — can’t do that, then the Wilpons really are going to have some explaining to do.

So what I will propose here are not break-the-bank moves, but maneuvers within reason for the Mets to do financially. For example, if money were no issue, I would suggest the Mets sign free agent Russell Martin and use d’Arnaud as part of a trade for a young shortstop or power bat. I think Martin would be a godsend for a mostly young staff as an exquisite game caller, thrower and motivator while being a clutch bat with the kind of on-base skills (.402) Alderson craves.

But as the lone excellent catcher in the market, Martin could get a four-year deal in the $52 million range. The Mets are going to need those funds elsewhere, so they will just have to hope d’Arnaud uses attributes he shares with Martin — namely athleticism and power — to continue to grow quickly in the job.

Melky Cabrera — like another Biogenesis alum, Jhonny Peralta — also could end up in the four-year, $52 million range because offense is at such a premium.

So could the Mets do the following: Sign Michael Cuddyer and trade for Marlon Byrd, Alexei Ramirez and Jake McGee?

I think the Mets not only need to add a power bat in the corner outfield such as Byrd, but another righty bat like Cuddyer who could play against lefties in place of Duda or Curtis Granderson. Cuddyer, even turning 36 in March, remains a good enough hitter that he might not want to accept a one-year deal for 300 to 400 plate appearances. But he is extremely close with David Wright. He is the kind of seen-everything veteran leader who would help a team as the pressure to win intensifies.

Another player who would fit that category is Shane Victorino, an igniter and champion in two Northeast cauldrons, Philadelphia and Boston. The Red Sox recently made what already was an outfield glut even more so by signing Cuban Rusney Castillo, who is compared to a young Victorino with more power. So why keep Victorino, especially due $13 million in 2015 and coming off surgery for two bulging discs? The Red Sox badly need to restock their rotation. Does Bartolo Colon ($11 million next year to counteract the addition of Victorino’s salary) for Victorino work, or is Victorino even a worse health risk than Colon?

Boston is a team that matches up well with the Mets, since it needs a lefty hitter and third baseman (Daniel Murphy?) plus starters. With touted shortstop prospect Deven Marrero nearly ready, would Boston think of dealing Xander Bogaerts for a package headed by Syndergaard or Wheeler plus Murphy? With Yoenis Cespedes indicating he will not do a long-term deal, would the Red Sox move one year of his control for four years of Jonathon Niese?

As for Byrd, one question: Would the Phillies deal with the Mets? If they would, shouldn’t the Mets ask about Jimmy Rollins, too? Rollins has a complete no-trade and may want no part of his enemy. But he is owed just $8 million next year and is still a good player on both sides of the ball. Byrd is owed $8 million for 2015 as well, plus has a makeable vesting option for $8 million in 2016. Philly is in rebuild mode. Could the Mets get both for, say, Rafael Montero and Cory Mazzoni? It solves two 2015 issues at a reasonable price with guys you know can handle New York.

If not, can the Mets use that kind of package to lure Ramirez ($10 million in 2015, $10 million option for 2016) from the White Sox?

Should the Mets not get a shortstop and go with Flores, do they have to keep Murphy just in case Herrera is not ready to handle second? I have advocated the Mets retain Murphy next year as an offensive jack-of-all trades, plus security for Wright’s health and potential decline.

But it seems one way they see adding salary is subtracting the roughly $8 million Murphy would make and going with Flores/Herrera at second. Last year, the Mets did not want to deal Murphy for an established reliever — they were offered Luke Gregerson by San Diego. But with Murphy now entering his walk year, could they decide getting a high-end lefty reliever is a good exchange?

The Rays love versatile players (though his defense could be an issue for them). Would they consider McGee for Murphy? The Brewers have liked Murphy in the past and could use a lefty-hitting first baseman. Would they do Will Smith for him? The Orioles could use third base insurance for Manny Machado and perhaps a better second baseman than Jonathan Schoop. Does Brian Matusz for Murphy work? The Mariners need offense just about every place. Charlie Furbush for Murphy?

Add a high-end lefty to Black, Familia, Mejia and Parnell and the Mets’ 1-to-12 staff becomes even more imposing.

This is where the Mets are now. They have assets, which means they have options. Do they have money to make it happen? They are at the border of something special.

Time to go for it.