The MLB lockout lasted 99 long, arduous days, but finally came to an end with a CBA agreement between the owners and the Player's Association on Thursday. With the end of the lockout comes the return of trades and the free agency period, which is sure to excite fans, given the level of activity by MLB teams before the work stoppage. One team in particular, however, wasn't very active in the free agent period earlier this offseason. The New York Yankees weren't involved in any of the big-name free agents, though it wasn't because of a lack of interest. New York did their due diligence on several players, including this All-Star outfielder, before the lockout began, per MLB Trade Rumors.

Prior to the lockout, the Yankees had interest in outfielder Michael Conforto, according to The New York Post’s Mike Puma.

Per MLB Trade Rumors and the New York Post's Mike Puma, the Yankees showed interest in New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto. Conforto, who was an All-Star back in 2017, is a free agent who has spent all seven seasons of his career with the Mets.

Conforto has slashed a solid .255/.356/.824 for his career, while averaging 28 homers, 86 runs, 85 RBI and 77 walks per 162 games. The Yankees, who could use an extra outfielder for depth, could perhaps coax the Mets outfielder to sign a short-term deal.

His left-handed bat would slot nicely into New York's right-handed heavy lineup. It remains to be seen if the Yankees' pre-lockout interest in Conforto will result in anything, though it's certainly interesting to see New York's free agent strategy up close.