Part of the Mets’ many tasks to gain credibility and perhaps contention is to unclutter their corner-outfield glut, so among other things Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo cease playing center field.

The Mets say they are built around their rotation, but those are just more hollow words until they prioritize defense.

Their best future team has Conforto and Yoenis Cespedes (when healthy) at the corners. Nimmo, even with a second-half regression, has shown enough to be a placeholder until Cespedes returns and then at least a capable fourth outfielder. That leaves Jay Bruce as the odd man, in part because of the redundancy that he is a lefty hitter like Conforto and Nimmo. Bruce could move to first. But I don’t think he wants to do that and, again, do the Mets continue to forfeit defense to shove a bat into the lineup?

Bruce, out since mid-June with a hip ailment, is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday at Port St. Lucie and return by month’s end. He will pass through waivers, but there might not be enough time to trade him to a contender before August ends. Still, this is an area for the Mets to fulfill their pledge to a) be creative and b) take on money if necessary to facilitate a useful trade. Whether it is August or September or the offseason, the Mets will have opportunities as long as Bruce displays health.

Bruce has a five-team no-trade list of the Orioles, A’s, Mariners, Rays and Blue Jays. But if he is going to be a first baseman or part-time outfielder, Bruce might accept any landing spot where he will play. Keep in mind that when Bruce was in the midst of a strong 2017, the Mets could not trade him for much.

So these suggestions will involve trades of financial problems for financial problems with the goal that both teams gain something. Bruce, after this season, is owed two years at $26 million:

1. Bruce to the Giants for Mark Melancon. Melancon can opt out of his final two years at $28 million following this season. But after missing the first two months with an elbow strain and losing his closer job, he would not be able to match that money on the open market. The Giants have built a good pen, but corner outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Hunter Pence are free agents after this season. Meanwhile, the Mets will need late-game help in 2019, and Melancon at least has closer pedigree.

2. Bruce to the Mariners for Felix Hernandez. The money can be spread out to work since Hernandez is due $27 million next season on the final year of his contract. Hernandez has been plummeting from an elite peak for years and was removed from the rotation last week with a 5.73 ERA. Do the Mets believe Mickey Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland can help Hernandez make a CC Sabathia-esque transition from power to finesse with success? see also Mariners make the painful Felix Hernandez decision HOUSTON — Seattle’s Felix Hernandez has lost his spot in...

A durable Hernandez (who has a complete no-trade clause) even with, say, a 4.50 ERA would have better value to the Mets as a No. 5 starter than Bruce. Both Nelson Cruz and Denard Span (who has a 2019 option) could be lost to free agency this offseason, so Bruce has use in Seattle.

OK, here is my completely it-is-not-happening idea because — among other things — Cespedes is not waiving his no-trade clause: Cespedes, Bruce, Anthony Swarzak and Jason Vargas (who are owed a combined $104.5 million) for Robinson Cano (owed $120 million over five years). Seattle takes on a lot more short money to get out of the long money (and out of a player just off of a PED suspension). The Mets get out of short money to clear room to extend Jacob deGrom and chase better free agents. Right, it isn’t happening, but it was too fun not to mention.

3. Bruce to the Rockies for Ian Desmond. Desmond, with the buyout on his deal and a trade kicker, is owed $41 million for three years. So, Colorado saves dough and an extra year to better position itself to keep Nolan Arenado (free after 2019) long-term. The Mets could even the money some by adding Vargas ($10 million) or Swarzak ($8 million), or how about adding both and the Mets take on Bryan Shaw (two years, $19.5 million), who had his best career success with Callaway as his pitching coach? Desmond is the rarity who hits better outside Coors Field and would give the Mets versatility. Rockies corner outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra both will be free agents.

4. Bruce to the Indians for Jason Kipnis. The Indians traded for Bruce last year. The Mets tried to obtain Kipnis in the offseason. Kipnis (with a 2020 buyout) is owed $17 million, so this would be needed for Cleveland to even out financially, with outfielders Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall due to be free agents.

Kipnis is in the midst of a down year, but could be a one-year stopgap at second should Jeff McNeil prove not capable.

5. Bruce to the Tigers for Jordan Zimmermann. Would the rebuilding Tigers do this just to save money? Zimmermann is owed $50 million the next two years. Or substitute Kansas City’s Ian Kennedy ($33 million). Or Miami’s Wei-Yin Chen ($42 million). The Mets could use Swarzak and/or Vargas to offset some of the dollars, and the starter — like the Hernandez concept — would just be veteran depth they would hope is better than Vargas.

I particularly like Baltimore’s Alex Cobb, who is owed three years at $43 million, plus Mark Trumbo ($13.5 million) could be a one-year stopgap at first. That’s a combined $56.5 million, and Bruce, Swarzak, Vargas combine for $44 million.

How about if Toronto’s Troy Tulowitzki (two years, $41 million) proves healthy as an around-the-infield power bat for Bruce and either Swarzak or Vargas? Like with the Orioles, the Mets take on a little extra in dollars to tempt a rebuilding club.