3 predictions for the Mets post-lockout

2. The New York Mets sign Andrew Chafin, relief pitcher

Just as a left handed starting pitcher is a need, the Mets also lack a left-hander in the bullpen. Aaron Loup was the team's left-handed option last season, and was the best option the team had in the bullpen, however he departed for the Los Angeles Angels in free agency this offseason, leaving a void in the bullpen for the Mets.

Enter Andrew Chafin, who would be yet another ex-Athletic to join the Mets roster this offseason, joining Marte, Canha, and in this case Manaea. Chafin will be 32 in June, and could likely be had on a one-year deal to due his age, which is ideal for the Mets, who have already shelled out plenty of money this offseason.

According to Baseball Reference, Chafin pitched to a 1.83 ERA, while registering five saves in 68.2 innings last season while splitting time between the Cubs and Athletics. Chafin has a 3.30 career ERA, with last season serving as the best season in his eight-year career, and likely earning him a raise.

The Mets would be ecstatic to get the numbers he put up last year, however, even if he just puts up his career average, he would serve as a massive boost to the bullpen. Chafin would join a group that includes: Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Trevor May, and Miguel Castro, among others. Adding Chafin, and the hope for a bounce-back year from at least one of the current relievers, could serve as a massive boost to the New York bullpen.

3. Michael Conforto leaves for the Philadelphia Phillies

While the expectation entering the offseason was that Michael Conforto would leave the Mets, recent rumors have stated that the Mets could still bring him back. However, that is not likely to happen, and despite a nice Mets career, Conforto appears likely to leave for a division rival.

While many of the reportedly interested teams make sense for Conforto including the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, and Miami Marlins, it is the Philadelphia Phillies that he will sign with. The Phillies play in Citizen's Bank Park, a hitter-friendly park that will benefit Conforto, and he won't have to move too far.

Additionally, he would join former teammate Zack Wheeler in Philadelphia, while also joining a potentially potent lineup that already features: J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Jen Segura, and Rhys Hoskins. Conforto joining Philadelphia could be the move that the Phillies need to take them to the next step to truly compete in a division that features the Mets and Braves.

Not only would signing Conforto help strengthen the Phillies, but it would also be a crushing blow for the Mets to see a home-grown player leave to a heated rival, and be forced to play against him 19 times a year. Joining a rival could help him join Wheeler, and Daniel Murphy, a group that beat up on the Mets after leaving for new pastures within the division.

Clearly, the Mets will look a lot different than they did last year when the season finally does begin. There are still plenty of dominoes to fall once the lockout ends, and the hot stove heats back up, and look for the Mets to once again be major players, as they look to put the finishing touches on a roster that they hope will make them World Series contenders