The MLB Hot Stove is burning, but not for the Braves as yet another potential free agent target has come off the board.
No, not Juan Soto, who inked a record-breaking deal with the New York Mets, but rather another outfielder. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Dodgers have agreed to a one-year deal worth $17 million with Michael Conforto.
https://twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1865944506920792265
The veteran has spent the last two seasons with the Giants, slashing .238/.322/.418 with 35 homers and 124 RBIs in 255 games during that span. While playing both corner spots in the outfield, Conforto mashed right-handed pitchers last season, slashing .284/.349/.537 in 106 plate appearances.
With his 112 wRC+ in 2024, the Braves would’ve been betting on his 133 wRC+ away from Oracle Park had they invested in the 31-year-old outfielder. He also might have benefitted from re-joining the NL East, a place where he has spent the majority of his career.
Conforto was selected by the Mets with the 10th pick in the 2014 draft and immediately emerged as an impact bat. Across his first six seasons, he slashed an incredible .259/.358/.484 with a wRC+ of 128 while earning All-Star honors.
Unfortunately, Conforto battled injuries. He eventually declined the Mets’ qualifying offer and entered free agency but underwent surgery during the lockout and wasn’t inked to a new deal until after the 2022 season.
The Braves still need to address the outfield, and the Winter Meetings in Dallas could very well produce a deal with Alex Anthopoulos mingling with free agents and other executives.
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Photographer: Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire
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