*Photo from Elite Sports NY*
He won't replace Carlos Correa, he doesn't even play the infield. But it's still a free agent signing. The San Francisco Giants and OF Michael Conforto have agreed to a two year, $36 million deal, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The Giants have confirmed the signing.
Conforto hit free agency after the 2021 season after his 7 big league seasons, and remained unsigned once opening day hit after the lockout ended. While training in January, he suffered a shoulder injury, which led to him having surgery in April. Agent Scott Boras has said that Conforto is now back to full health, and now he's off to the Giants.
2021 was Conforto's last season in the majors. He ended that year with a .232 batting average, .384 slugging percentage, and .729 OPS, hitting 20 doubles to go with 14 home runs and 55 RBI's in 125 games of action for the New York Mets.
The deal with Conforto comes in the wake of a big deal with Carlos Correa falling through due to medical issues. The addition of Conforto gives the Giants an outfield picture that includes Mike Yastrzemski, Mitch Haniger, Joc Pederson, and LaMonte Wade Jr alongside Conforto. Luis Gonzalez and Austin Slater are also candidates to receive time in the outfield.
The 2019 season saw Conforto set career highs in home runs with 33, RBI's with 92, and doubles with 29. He received an All Star Game selection in 2017 and hit for a .322 average with a .927 OPS in 54 games in the short 2020 season.
Conforto has spent all 7 seasons with the Mets since being drafted in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He has a .255 batting average, .356 on base percentage, and .468 slugging percentage, belting 132 home runs with 396 RBI's in 757 games played. He has 6 RBI's and 3 homers in 12 career playoff games.
In his career, Conforto has spent time at all 3 outfield positions, but has been shifted away from center field and into right field in 2020 and 2021. He has 10 outs above average when playing in either right or left field, figuring to boost the Giants outfield defense, which had -26 outs above average in 2022.
Conforto is the latest addition in what has been a busy offseason for the Giants. Pederson came back on the qualifying offer, while Mitch Haniger was signed to a multi year deal. Ross Stripling and Sean Manaea were also added to the starting rotation.
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