Despite lockout, they

The Mets got their swagger back just days before MLB’s much anticipated lockout went into effect. Following a frenzy of free agent activity, featuring the blockbuster signing of Max Scherzer, the Mets like 29 other teams will experience a player transaction freeze and other headaches that accompany the league’s first work stoppage in 26 years and the ninth in MLB history. Club owners voted unanimously to lock out the players as the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement expired on Wednesday night. For an undetermined amount of time, team officials are unable to speak to players and make free agent signings or trades. Players are no longer allowed to use club facilities and arbitration hearings are also halted.

Steve Cohen, Billy Eppler, Sandy Alderson and the Mets were aggressive in the days leading up to the lockout. Mets brass signed four impact free agents in Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar, Mark Canha and Scherzer. In doing so, the team significantly bolstered the lineup and decreased the number of uncertainties surrounding its rotation. In less than two weeks as Mets GM, Eppler advantageously used Cohen’s deep pockets to make the industry forget about the team’s circuitous front office search and remind the fan base about the possibilities that lie ahead when superstars come to Queens.

“Billy has done a great job