The Toronto Blue Jays need a power hitter in their outfield.

In fact, Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reported on Tuesday evening that the biggest upgrade offensively is in the corner outfield. Michael Conforto may fit that bill.
Let’s take a look at his stats, his contract outlook, and whether he is a fit for the Blue Jays in the latest Free Agent Profile!
<h2>Michael Conforto’s stats</h2>
After coming off a shoulder injury and missing the entirety of the 2022 season, Conforto slashed .239/.334/.384 with 15 home runs in 470 plate appearances for a 99 wRC+ with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. His 2024 season was much better, as the outfielder slashed .237/.309/.450 with 20 home runs in 488 plate appearances. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
We love oppo 🌮&#39;s <a href="https://t.co/c7WujVkA7L">pic.twitter.com/c7WujVkA7L</a>
&mdash; SFGiants (@SFGiants) <a href="https://twitter.com/SFGiants/status/1838766528046723396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Conforto has shown pop in the past, slashing .257/.363/.492 with 88 home runs in 1,726 plate appearances from 2017 until 2019 with the New York Mets for a 129 wRC+. This included the 2019 season, where he hit a career-high 33 home runs. However, the 20 home runs in 2024 were his highest total since then.
Defensively, Conforto only played left field last season, posting 0 Defensive Runs Saved and -4 Outs Above Average in 835 innings played. For his career in left field, he has 12 DRS and 4 OAA, with the bulk of his DRS coming in 2015 where he had 9 DRS in 389.2 innings. The 31-year-old left-handed batting outfielder is much worse in right field, and hasn’t played centre field since 2019.
<h2>Michael Conforto’s contract outlook</h2>
<a href="https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/market-value/_/id/17687/michael-conforto">According to Spotrac</a>, Michael Conforto has a market value of $4.7 million. Comparable salaries include Jake Cave and Alex Dickerson’s one-year, $1 million deal, Austin Slater’s one-year, $4 million deal, and Brad Miller’s two-year, $10 million deal.
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/42189340/mlb-2024-2025-top-50-free-agents-rankings-contract-projections">ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel</a> ranks Conforto as the 40th-best free agent this off-season and projects the 31-year-old to earn a one-year, $15 million deal. It’s also worth noting that McDaniel believes that Conforto’s mid-20s form could return given how his 2024 season went.
<h2>Is Michael Conforto a fit for the Blue Jays</h2>
While Conforto isn’t the best option for the Blue Jays’ corner outfield needs (it’s Juan Soto, obviously), he is a solid option if they look to spend money elsewhere.
The left-handed batter plays left field and is solid defensively, but will also provide the Blue Jays with 15 or more home runs each season. Moreover, he’ll be rather inexpensive on a short-term deal as he hasn’t fully returned to his pre-injury form.
All in all, Conforto is a solid option if they look to spend more money on a starter, their bullpen, or a power bat in the infield.
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

The Toronto Blue Jays need a power hitter in their outfield.



In fact, Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reported on Tuesday evening that the biggest upgrade offensively is in the corner outfield. Michael Conforto may fit that bill.

Let’s take a look at his stats, his contract outlook, and whether he is a fit for the Blue Jays in the latest Free Agent Profile!
<h2>Michael Conforto’s stats</h2>
After coming off a shoulder injury and missing the entirety of the 2022 season, Conforto slashed .239/.334/.384 with 15 home runs in 470 plate appearances for a 99 wRC+ with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. His 2024 season was much better, as the outfielder slashed .237/.309/.450 with 20 home runs in 488 plate appearances. 

https://twitter.com/SFGiants/status/1838766528046723396

Conforto has shown pop in the past, slashing .257/.363/.492 with 88 home runs in 1,726 plate appearances from 2017 until 2019 with the New York Mets for a 129 wRC+. This included the 2019 season, where he hit a career-high 33 home runs. However, the 20 home runs in 2024 were his highest total since then.

Defensively, Conforto only played left field last season, posting 0 Defensive Runs Saved and -4 Outs Above Average in 835 innings played. For his career in left field, he has 12 DRS and 4 OAA, with the bulk of his DRS coming in 2015 where he had 9 DRS in 389.2 innings. The 31-year-old left-handed batting outfielder is much worse in right field, and hasn’t played centre field since 2019.
<h2>Michael Conforto’s contract outlook</h2>
<a href="https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/market-value/_/id/17687/michael-conforto">According to Spotrac</a>, Michael Conforto has a market value of $4.7 million. Comparable salaries include Jake Cave and Alex Dickerson’s one-year, $1 million deal, Austin Slater’s one-year, $4 million deal, and Brad Miller’s two-year, $10 million deal.

<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/42189340/mlb-2024-2025-top-50-free-agents-rankings-contract-projections">ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel</a> ranks Conforto as the 40th-best free agent this off-season and projects the 31-year-old to earn a one-year, $15 million deal. It’s also worth noting that McDaniel believes that Conforto’s mid-20s form could return given how his 2024 season went.
<h2>Is Michael Conforto a fit for the Blue Jays</h2>
While Conforto isn’t the best option for the Blue Jays’ corner outfield needs (it’s Juan Soto, obviously), he is a solid option if they look to spend money elsewhere.

The left-handed batter plays left field and is solid defensively, but will also provide the Blue Jays with 15 or more home runs each season. Moreover, he’ll be rather inexpensive on a short-term deal as he hasn’t fully returned to his pre-injury form.

All in all, Conforto is a solid option if they look to spend more money on a starter, their bullpen, or a power bat in the infield.

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

Free Agent Profile: Michael Conforto is coming off a 20+ home run season for the first time since 2019

Instant Reaction: Daulton Varsho hit his team-leading eighth home run in Blue Jays 2-1 victory over Rangers

Blue Jays GDB – 53.0: Jays look to rebound against Rangers after a disastrous weekend series

Blue Jays series recap: The Jays can’t perform worse than they did against Rays over the weekend

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) throws during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

Recent articles from Ryley Delaney

Breaking News