Giants Sign Michael Conforto to Two-Year, $36-Million Contract (Pending Physical)
After fumbling the Carlos Correa signing and losing the superstar shortstop to the New York Mets on Wednesday, the San Francisco Giants have pivoted to the top remaining position player, outfielder Michael Conforto.
According to multiple sources, the 29-year-old free agent reportedly agreed to a two-year deal worth $36 million on Friday. Assuming he passes his physical, the left-hander will earn $18 million per season through 2024.
Conforto’s deal also includes an opt-out clause after next season, allowing him to re-enter free agency if he’s successful in rebuilding his value in 2023.
The 6-foot-1 outfielder missed all last season due to off-season shoulder surgery, with his most recent game occurring on Oct. 3, 2021. Now over 14 months later, the 2017 All-Star is headed for a fresh start out west.
It’s a little surprising Conforto signed so quickly with the Giants, given his injury history and that he, like Correa, is represented by Scott Boras. Considering the franchise backed out of its 13-year, $350-million commitment to the two-time All-Star, it would’ve been understandable if the superagent persuaded his client to avoid them altogether.
But while San Francisco’s front office allegedly raised concerns about Correa’s 2014 leg surgery, it appears they’re comfortable taking a risk on Conforto’s health, albeit at a much cheaper rate. It’s also worth noting that the organization signed Mitch Haniger – who played just 57 games last season due to injury – to a three-year deal worth $43.5 million earlier this winter.
Neither outfielder agreed to as high a figure as Correa. It’s interesting though that the Giants are willing to spend a combined $79.5 million on two players that missed significant time in 2022, whereas Correa has played 83 percent of his games or more each season since 2020.
If healthy, however, Conforto could be a valuable acquisition next season. At 29, soon-to-be 30, the veteran lefty isn’t too far removed from his successful tenure with the Mets.
Hitting his stride during his third big-league campaign, the 10th overall selection from 2014 was one of the top performers at his position from 2017-20, hitting .265/.369/.495 with 97 home runs and 273 RBIs across 465 games. He also posted a 133 wRC+ and a 14.9 fWAR.
Conforto split time in all three outfield positions during that span, proving most effective in right field, registering +6 DRS and +4 OAA over 1,616.2 innings. And it wouldn’t be shocking if he occupied a similar role with the Giants in 2023.
The former Met endured a miserable 2021 performance, offensively and defensively, finishing with a 1.4 fWAR, the lowest rating of his career since 2016 (1.1). He slashed .232/.344/.384 with 14 home runs, 55 RBIs and a 106 wRC+ – nine percentage points higher than his career worst (97).
There’s optimism that Conforto can bounce back next season as his underlying metrics fared much better than his traditional results, evidenced by his .253 xAVG, .436 xSLG and .350 xwOBA. And with defensive shifts becoming illegal, many of his batted balls to the pull side should start falling as hits.
The Seattle, Wash., native is joining an outfield that includes Haniger, Joc Pederson, Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater. That should result in improved production – both offensively and defensively – if everyone stays healthy.
San Francisco didn’t stop there, utilizing its savings from the botched Correa signing to strengthen its bullpen, landing free agent Taylor Rogers. In doing so, the team will reunite him with his twin brother, Tyler.
Taylor Rogers has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $33-million contract with the Giants, including an $11 million AAV. The deal, of course, is pending a physical.
The left-hander was traded to San Diego before the start of last season and was later dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers at the trade deadline. Once his contract becomes official, he’ll join his fourth different franchise since the owner-imposed lockout ended last spring.
Rogers logged 64.1 combined innings in 2022, converting 31 saves in 41 opportunities. He also posted a 4.76 ERA, 4.11 xERA, 3.31 FIP, 23.7 percent K-BB rate difference and a 1.0 fWAR.
The Giants failed to land a franchise star, and while their fanbase is still reeling from that disappointment, at least they aren’t left without anything this holiday season.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: Sigckgc. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.