The Cubs added more reinforcements for the outfield on February 23. Michael Conforto, who had a tough go in 2025, will look for better with the Chicago Cubs as he agreed to sign with the team for 2026.
Cubs bring in Conforto
Per the New York Post, the Chicago Cubs agreed to sign former Dodger Michael Conforto.
The 2025 season was a tough one for Conforto, who came over in free agency last winter to join a Dodgers team that wanted to add more depth to the outfield. It looked like a good fit on paper for both sides. However, it didn’t work out.
He slashed .199/.305/.333 with 12 home runs and 32 extra-base hits over 486 plate appearances. Conforto had a walk rate over 11% last season. But on the other hand, his .287 wOBA ranked 210th out of the 242 hitters with 350+ plate appearances last season.
The new Cub didn’t pile up the strikeouts per se. Conforto saw a slight uptick in swing-and-miss off fastballs and slider but not so much against changeups.
Conforto will join a Cubs team that will have to reshape the outfield before Opening Day. Kyle Tucker is now in Los Angeles, as he joined Conforto’s old team on a monstrous deal this past winter. Owen Caissie, who was tentatively lined up to replace Tucker, was traded to the Marlins for Edward Cabrera.
The move has left the Cubs’ outfield situation in flux, although the team has begun to experiment in right field with Matt Shaw. Shaw played third last season but won’t regularly with Alex Bregman now in Chicago.
Estrada to Baltimore
The Orioles have signed infielder Thairo Estrada to a Minor League deal. It comes with an invite to Major League Spring Training.
Estrada signed with the Rockies last winter but didn’t play much at all in 2025. The veteran infielder slashed .253/.285/.370 over 39 games for Colorado last season. He had multiple IL stints last season, including for a hamstring strain and right wrist fracture.
He becomes more infield depth for a team that’ll likely be without Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg past Opening Day 2026.
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