As the Los Angeles Dodgers continue negotiations with Teoscar Hernández, they recently made an under-the-radar addition to their outfield in the form of Michael Conforto.
The 31-year-old signed a one-year, $17 million contract that included a signing bonus of $8.5 million that is partially deferred.
Conforto gives the Dodgers a left-handed bat who can play either of the corner outfield spots, which was a priority with Mookie Betts moving back to shortstop next season.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the Dodgers had been long interested in adding Conforto and praised him for being a reliable bat that can make an impact, via Sonja Chen of MLB.com:
“He’s a guy that we reached out on at the Trade Deadline last year,” Friedman said. “Respected him from afar for a while. It’s not often for a guy that they’re both a floor-raiser with ceiling.”
Conforto is coming off a solid year for the San Francisco Giants that saw him hit .237/.309/.450 with 27 doubles, 20 home runs and 66 RBI in 130 games.
Conforto put up above league-average numbers despite playing his home games at the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park. He was even better on the road, batting .253/.323/.530 with a 133 wRC+.
Furthermore, Conforto also fared better against southpaws compared to right-handers this year, which was a shift from his career norms. Even if that reverses with the Dodgers, the 2017 All-Star has shown that he can be a quality everyday player.
In parts of nine big league seasons, Conforto has hit .251/.348/.456 with 167 home runs, 514 runs scored, 520 RBI, a 119 wRC+ and 19.8 WAR.
Michael Conforto has opportunity to add to Dodgers-Giants history
If Conforto hits at least 20 home runs next season, he would become just the fourth player to do so for both the Dodgers and Giants.
The only players who have accomplished this feat are Marquis Grissom, Jeff Kent and Joc Pederson.
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