The Chicago Cubs have made an intriguing offseason move by signing former All-Star outfielder Michael Conforto to a minor-league contract. While it might not be a blockbuster signing, the low-risk investment in a player with Conforto's past pedigree could prove worthwhile.
Cubs Hope for a Resurgence in Conforto’s Bat
Conforto's current deal is a significant step down from his previous $17 million salary with the Dodgers, or the two-year, $36 million contract he had with the Giants. Once a 2017 All-Star and a key player on the 2015 Mets World Series team, Conforto has seen a notable decline.
Last season, he struggled with a .199 average over 138 games for Los Angeles, and his power numbers also dipped. His isolated power average of .134 was a career low, and he managed only 12 home runs in 418 at-bats.
Throughout his career, Conforto has hit 179 home runs, driven in 556 RBIs, and maintained a .245/.343/.442 slash line. From 2017 to 2019, he was a consistent power threat, hitting at least 27 home runs each season, peaking at 33 in 2019. In the shortened 2020 season, he set career highs in batting average (.322) and on-base percentage (.412) over 54 games.
However, since then, Conforto has struggled. A shoulder injury sidelined him for all of 2022, and over the past four seasons, he has posted just 1.9 WAR and a 99 OPS+, according to Baseball Reference. This is a stark contrast to his first six years, where he amassed 15.0 WAR and an OPS+ of 128.
The Cubs aren't necessarily looking for Conforto to return to his peak form, but if he can replicate his 2024 performance with the Giants-where he hit 20 home runs, drove in 66, and had a 115 OPS+-they'd be more than satisfied.
With Kyle Tucker now with the Dodgers, the Cubs could certainly use Conforto's bat, whether in the outfield or as a designated hitter. This minor-league deal represents a calculated gamble on Conforto rediscovering some of his past success.