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Free Agent Profile: Michael Conforto is coming off a 20+ home run season for the first time since 2019
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Photo credit: © Mitch Stringer - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Nov 6, 2024, 16:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 29, 2024, 00:38 EST
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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!

Michael Conforto’s stats

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. 
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.

Michael Conforto’s contract outlook

According to Spotrac, 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.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel 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.

Is Michael Conforto a fit for the Blue Jays

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.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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