Well, if it wasn’t clear already, it’s crystal clear now where the Chicago Cubs see their biggest risk on the positional side. The outfield group has grown once again.
Jon Heyman reports that the Cubs are signing outfielder Michael Conforto, though there are not yet any details beyond that.
Going back several years – heck, even into the 2014 draft, when the Cubs instead took Kyle Schwarber – the Cubs have reportedly had interest in Michael Conforto.
(via FanGraphs)He had been a very good player with the Mets before the combined impacts of a down season, the lockout, and an exceedingly ill-timed shoulder injury cost him what could’ve been a massive turn in free agency. Instead, he wound up not signing a deal at all after 2021, missed the entire 2022 season, and then had to settle for a modest prove-it deal with the Giants ahead of 2023. He was about average in 2023, didn’t opt out of his deal with the Giants, and then had a nice bounce-back year in 2024 ahead of a free agency that saw him sign a one-year contract with the Dodgers. He got a ring, but the year was something of a bust overall, and the soon-to-be 33-year-old was probably not expecting a huge payday in free agency this time around.
I have to believe this deal is very modest, or maybe even a minor league deal for Michael Conforto.
All that said, it’s not too hard to see why the Cubs would have interest. First and foremost, the lefty-hitting Conforto has actually crushed fellow lefties the last two years, which (1) is something the Cubs have been looking for off the bench, but (2) might be a small sample fluke (for his career, Conforto has traditional splits).
Second, Conforto is a capable defender in the corner outfield spots, even if no longer a plus one. I don’t know that he can fill in out in center field anymore (hasn’t played there since 2019), though.
Third, we have to be as honest about the Cubs’ outfield situation as the Cubs themselves clearly are being. There are three very good starters in place, and then a large group of question marks.
The Cubs have Matt Shaw trying to learn the outfield, which may or may not take, and that’d be a huge risk if there were a long-term injury to one of the three starters. Similarly, Kevin Alcantara has a bright future like Shaw, but he’s not yet established in the big leagues. Justin Dean is the other option on the 40-man, but he’s 29, is more of a speed/defense type, and last season was his first actually putting up passable numbers at Triple-A. Dylan Carlson is a former top prospect and solid young player, but it’s been a long time since he actually produced in the big leagues. Similarly, Chas McCormick had a huge season a few years ago, but has fallen back significantly.
Add Conforto to that group, and you hope that, by the end of the spring, a couple options look pretty good. It’s more volume than impact, but the Cubs are a bit (justifiably) desperate. Really imagine what would happen if Pete Crow-Armstrong and one of the corner outfield starters got hurt, you know? The Cubs need lots and lots of options, and if someone like Michael Conforto is willing to come in as part of the big group of mere options – not guarantees – then why wouldn’t the Cubs go for it?
One thing to think about: I wonder now if the Cubs are planning to carry two additional outfielders on the bench (together with the back-up catcher and Shaw), or if they are holding out for the possibility that Moises Ballesteros doesn’t make the team. That latter seems borderline unthinkable – I want that bat at DH – but I suppose it wouldn’t be prudent to ASSUME a young player is DEFINITELY going to be ready to make an impact right away after only a brief flash of success late last year. Always better to have more options this time of year, just in case.
Lastly, I suppose I should call out the potential for Michael Conforto to bounce back. He was pretty solid just two years ago, and having that version of Conforto coming off of your bench as a fourth outfielder would be quite valuable.
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