3 potential bargains in MLB free agency
By David Hill
Michael Conforto
Remember when Michael Conforto was just about to sign during the offseason? Or how he was going to sign during the season? Or that he would sign in September and make an impact on a playoff roster?
Yeah…about that. Despite Scott Boras’ claims otherwise, interest in Conforto never actually materialized. Between a down season in 2021, a shoulder injury that Boras initially claimed was “minor” but needed surgery, and the Qualifying Offer being attached until the MLB Draft, teams were not going to spend the type of money that Boras felt Conforto deserved.
In theory, Conforto should be healthy and ready to go for the 2023 campaign. However, at this point, with Conforto having missed a full season and questions about exactly how forthcoming Boras is going to be about any health concerns, even that has to be considered a question.
When he is right, Conforto is a solid piece in the lineup. He has hit over 25 homers three times in his career and has a lifetime 124 OPS+. But teams are not going to be lined up to give him a multi-year deal at this point in time. A bridge contract to free agency in 2023-24 could be the ideal situation, making Conforto a bargain.
Michael Conforto languished in MLB free agency last year. This time, he could be a bargain and scooped up relatively quickly.