The Dodgers' decision to part ways with Michael Conforto was a straightforward move this offseason. Conforto, who struggled to win over the Los Angeles fanbase, left without much fanfare. In his place, the Dodgers made a savvy acquisition by bringing in Kyle Tucker, a move that has been widely praised.
Conforto's journey in free agency has been rocky, with interest from teams like the White Sox failing to materialize into a deal. Now, the Astros have emerged as a surprising suitor for the outfielder.
According to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, the Astros are considering Conforto as they face challenges in trading third baseman Isaac Paredes. Conforto, a left-handed hitter, posted a .199/.305/.333 slash line with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs over 128 games for the Dodgers last season.
Houston's offseason has been relatively quiet, with their major move being the signing of pitcher Tatsuya Imai. The team is looking to address their outfield needs as Yordan Alvarez transitions to a full-time designated hitter role. Conforto, despite his struggles, could fill that gap.
Last season, Conforto had a tough run, finishing with a .199 average and a .637 OPS, along with a -0.7 bWAR. His defensive metrics were also lacking, contributing to his challenging year. Despite these struggles, the Dodgers stuck with him through 138 games, though they ultimately left him off their postseason roster.
For the Astros, signing Conforto would likely be a low-risk move, potentially on a one-year deal significantly less than his previous $17 million contract. Whether Conforto can rediscover his form remains to be seen, but for Houston, it could be a gamble worth taking as they look to bolster their lineup. Dodgers fans, however, might be skeptical about any potential resurgence.