Michael Conforto's brief stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers was a surprising chapter in his career, underscoring the unforgiving nature of Major League Baseball. With nine seasons under his belt, and an OPS+ above league average in eight of them, Conforto seemed primed for success when he inked a one-year, $17 million deal with the Dodgers. Surrounded by a lineup of superstars, expectations were high for the former New York Mets All-Star to shine.
However, the season didn't go as planned. Conforto struggled from the outset, hitting just .199 over 138 games. His challenges at the plate eventually led to him being phased out of the lineup, and he was notably absent from the Dodgers' playoff roster.
Despite the tough season, Conforto is set to receive his first World Series ring, though his time with the Dodgers has left his career at a crossroads. The good news? He’s found a new opportunity with another National League contender.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Conforto has reached an agreement with the Chicago Cubs. Details of the contract are still emerging, with speculation about whether it’s a major league deal with a guaranteed salary or a minor-league contract with a non-roster invite to spring training.
As Conforto approaches his age-33 season, he's eager to demonstrate that his dip in performance in Los Angeles was merely a hiccup. Back in 2024, he posted a 115 OPS+ in 130 games with the San Francisco Giants, and while the Cubs might not expect that level of playtime, they'd certainly welcome similar productivity.
Meanwhile, as the Dodgers bask in their success, the Cubs are keen to leverage Conforto’s talents to challenge the very team that let him go.