While Juan Soto joining the New York Mets grabbed most of the headlines on the first night of the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, the Los Angeles Dodgers also added to their outfield with the signing of Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million deal.
Conforto gives the Dodgers a left-handed bat who can play either of the corner spots, which they reportedly sought amid continued efforts to re-sign Teoscar Hernández. The Dodgers were in need of two outfielders with Mookie Betts moving to the infield, and Conforto provides upside with the floor of a quality performer.
Conforto received more money than the projections had him set to make, but the Dodgers did offset some of that due to the contract structure.
According to Jack Harris and Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, Conforto’s contract with the Dodgers includes an $8.5 million signing bonus that is partly deferred:
Conforto’s contract with the Dodgers includes an $8.5-million signing bonus and some deferred money, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The Dodgers have utilized salary deferrals for most of their recent signings, including Blake Snell this year and Shohei Ohtani last offseason. The strategy allows the team to maximize their flexibility with upgrading the roster each year by lowering the cost of the cash due to them now while bringing the luxury tax number down.
Conforto was drafted by the Mets but spent the last two seasons with the San Francisco Giants, where he hit put up above league-average numbers despite playing his home games at the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.
Conforto hit .237/.309/.450 with 27 doubles, 20 home runs and 66 RBI in 130 games this year. He fared even better on the road, batting .253/.323/.530 with a 133 wRC+.
The 31-year-old has hit .251/.348/.456 with 167 home runs, 514 runs scored, 520 RBI, a 119 wRC+ and 19.8 WAR over nine years.
How does Michael Conforto affect Teoscar Hernández?
The signing of Conforto reportedly does not affect the Dodgers’ pursuit of Hernández, who remains a priority.
If the team is able to bring back Hernández, he and Conforto would occupy the two corner spots, with Tommy Edman and Andy Pages potentially platooning in center field. Pages could also end up platooning with Conforto while Edman plays everyday.
However, the Dodgers and Hernández have been far apart on salary to this point, which could open the door for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and other interested teams to sign him.
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