The Los Angeles Dodgers have been active this offseason, already getting one of the top starting pitchers on the free agent market in Blake Snell and continuing to pursue outfield help.
They remained connected to Juan Soto and Teoscar Hernández, but it was also reported they continued to look for a left-handed hitting outfielder.
The Dodgers outfield does not have many set pieces in it, especially with Mookie Betts moving back to the infield. Andy Pages could play a role, as well as Tommy Edman, but the latter could also be their solution at shortstop.
The Dodgers have addressed part of that concern, agreeing to a deal with Michael Conforto, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
The Dodgers have agreed to a deal with Michael Conforto, per sources.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 9, 2024
The deal is for one year, worth $17 million, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
It’s one year, $17 million for Michael Conforto to the Dodgers, source tells The Athletic. https://t.co/2OiCMSvUVB
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 9, 2024
Conforto is a left-handed hitting corner outfielder with a solid bat, hitting .237/.309/.450 with 20 home runs, 56 runs scored, 66 RBI and a 112 wRC+ last season with the San Francisco Giants.
On the road, away from the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park in San Francisco, he was far better, batting .253/.323/.530 with a 133 wRC+. The Dodgers are hoping for a turnaround similar to what Teoscar Hernández experienced last season after leaving the Seattle Mariners and their home ballpark that he struggled in.
While Conforto has been better against right-handed pitching for his career with a 128 wRC+, he’s been about league average versus left-handers with a 96 wRC+, and last season he had reverse splits, which gives the Dodgers the ability to use him as an everyday player, rather than a strict platoon bat.
He should see significant time in left field with the chance to become their everyday starter.
The 31-year-old has played in nine MLB seasons with a career .251/.348/.456 slash line with 167 home runs, 514 runs scored, 520 RBI, a 119 wRC+ and 19.8 WAR.
Does Michael Conforto take Dodgers out of Teoscar Hernández’s market?
The Dodgers needed to add at least two outfielders this offseason, so adding Conforto should not affect their pursuit of Hernández — or Juan Soto.
Hernández, or Soto, and Conforto would end up being the Dodgers primary corner outfielders in 2025 with Edman and Pages combining to play center field.
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