After two seasons in San Francisco, Michael Conforto is heading to southern California. The Dodgera have reportedly added Michael Conforto on a one-year deal, giving the Dodgers more power for their already-stacked lineup.
A Look at Conforto
When Michael Conforto signed with the Giants after the 2022 season, it offered the former first-round pick a fresh start after he missed all of that year with shoulder surgery. Conforto was a former All-Star with the Mets who put up gaudy numbers at times in New York, including a 33-home run season in 2019 and a .927 OPS in 2020. However, his 2021 (.729 OPS, 14 HR over 125 G) wasn’t great.
Over two seasons with the Giants, Conforto put up what could be considered fine numbers in a pitcher-friendly environment. Conforto hit .238/.322/.418 (.740 OPS, 108 OPS+) with 35 home runs and 79 extra-base hits over 255 games. He spent time on both 2023 and 2024 on the IL.
Conforto was one of the most productive hitters for rival San Francisco last year, as he hit 20 home runs, third-most on the team behind Heliot Ramos and Matt Chapman. From an offensive standpoint, Conforto has above-average bat speed (74.1 MPH) and above-average power.
He’s a very different compared to when he was a college and Minor League player, when he used all fields effectively. But, his pull-heavy tendencies have unlocked a little more power, something that should interest Dodgers fans now that he’s in Los Angeles.
Defensively, Conforto is a corner outfielder with very good arm strength. Last season, he had five assists in left field. However, his foot speed has trended downward.
Per reports, Michael Conforto signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $17MM deal.
Analysis
This could be considered one of the more underrated signings of the winter thus far.
Conforto is an adept power hitter who adds more depth — as if the Dodgers needed more — to Los Angeles’ lineup. Specifically, to their outfield.
Right now, the Dodgers have Andy Pages, Chris Taylor, James Outman, and infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman as their outfield options for 2025, with Conforto joining the mix. Mookie Betts is moving back to the infield, and the Dodgers — for now — don’t have Teoscar Hernandez on their roster as he hits free agency once more.
In a sense, this deal is highly remisicent of what the Dodgers did last winter with Hernandez. Teoscar, for much of his career, was a hard-hit machine. While Conforto isn’t that kind of power hitter, he can work counts more effectively and does have above-average power, perfect for the Dodgers.
Getting back to the Dodgers’ outfield, Edman and Pages are locks for the lineup right now. Outman is a strikeout-heavy hitter who struggled last season at the MLB roster. Taylor, like Outman, is likely a bench option for 2025.
Someone like Conforto, a more reliable hitter, helps even out the back half of their lineup and it’s possible with more protection, the 31-year-old could produce like he did when he was in New York.
It marks yet another move made by the Dodgers in the 2024-25 offseason. Earlier, the Dodgers re-signed Tommy Edman (RECAP) and signed Conforto’s Giants teammate, Blake Snell, to a massive deal (RECAP).