3 predictions for the Mets post-lockout

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