5 things on Mets' offseason to-do list with lockout over

Now that the owners have unanimously ratified the new MLB collective bargaining agreement, a massive frenzy will begin.

Contact with players will be able to begin again and free agent signings as well as trades will be allowed. We could see players signed and moved immediately.

The Mets were at the forefront of the frenzy that came prior to the lockout, signing Eduardo Escobar, Mark Canha, Starling Marte, and -- to cap things off -- Max Scherzer.

While the Mets have taken care of a large chunk of their offseason needs, there is still plenty left on their list now that the lockout is over.

Here are five things the Mets should have on their agenda... 

Round out the starting rotation

With the addition of Scherzer, the Mets have four rotation members for the 2022 season -- Jacob deGrom, Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, and Taijuan Walker.

However, aside from Scherzer, those pitchers will enter 2022 with question marks attached to them. 

That means the Mets should not be relying on all of them to be healthy (though that would be ideal) and should be focused on adding one more reliable starting pitcher. 

Speaking on the eve of the lockout, GM Billy Eppler suggested much of the focus for the rest of the offseason would be on adding pitching -- whether in the rotation or bullpen.

Of the free agents still available (and there are a lot), Yusei Kikuchi is one who was connected to the Mets right before the lockout. Carlos Rodon seems like an unlikely target for New York at the moment, since he might get the highest average annual value of any starting pitcher remaining and had shoulder issues late in 2021.

The Mets can also explore the trade market to add to the rotation (more on that below).

Explore position player additions

If the Mets have any opening left to fill, it would be either at third base (with Escobar sliding to second base) or at second base (with Escobar playing third).

Of the big players remaining on the free agent market, the versatile Kris Bryant is the one who would be the best fit. And the Mets are among the teams who have expressed interest.

Bryant will likely cost well over $100 million for five or six seasons, which would mean one more big contract added to the ones New York already has.

If the Mets trade Jeff McNeil, Bryant could become an even better fit at third base (with Escobar at second) and potentially shift to a corner outfield spot if needed in 2023 or 2024.

It would also make sense for the Mets to pursue a reunion with Michael Conforto.

Bolster the bullpen

The Mets are in solid shape in the bullpen, with Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Trevor May, and Miguel Castro the current late-inning options.

But the loss of Aaron Loup will hurt, as will the potential departure of Jeurys Familia.

Beyond Diaz, Lugo, May, and Castro, the Mets could turn to pitchers like Drew Smith and Sean Reid-Foley to help fill out the bullpen.

It would behoove the Mets to add at least one more experienced bullpen arm, though, and left-hander Andrew Chafin and right-hander Joe Kelly are among the most intriguing relievers still available on the free agent market.

Pursue trade possibilities

As part of the new CBA, the DH has been added to the National League.

And with the DH added, part of the glut the Mets currently have will be freed up.

Specifically, New York could opt to keep both J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith and use them as their DH platoon. Or they could trade Davis and keep Smith, giving him the bulk of the at-bats.

There is also the question of McNeil's Mets future.

Arguably due for a bounce back in 2022, McNeil simply could be slid back in at second base. Or the Mets could dangle him via trade -- potentially while attempting to get starting pitching back in return.

As noted above, Davis and/or Smith could also be candidates to be traded.

Figure out the Robinson Cano plan

I intentionally omitted Cano from the discussion above about the players the Mets could use at DH.

That is because Cano should not be counted on for anything in 2022, and because he has done nothing to deserve taking playing time away from players who are more worthy.

Cano, who was suspended for the entire 2021 season following his second violation of the MLB PED policy, played a bit of winter ball earlier this offseason.

For those who point to the $20 million Cano will earn in both 2022 and 2023, I'll note that -- barring a third positive test or his being declared medically unfit to play -- the Mets are on the hook for that money no matter what.

And with Steve Cohen being able to afford a potential sunk cost like Cano, the Mets should not compound the problem by forcing Cano into the lineup.

Their plan should be to have him attend spring training and see how he looks. But he should not be part of any plan, nor should his presence on the roster impact any other moves the Mets might make.