The Padres expressed interest in free agent outfielder Michael Conforto prior to the MLB lockout, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Padres join a growing list of known teams to have reached out to the longtime Met’s camp, including the Yankees, who were reported to have interest earlier today.
Conforto is the latest player in a long line of free agent left field fielders the Padres have looked into. Reports from earlier in the offseason have connected San Diego to a number of offensively-gifted outfielders to bolster their lineup, including Kris Bryant, Nick Castellanos, and Seiya Suzuki. The interest in Conforto and other top outfielders stems from the departure of incumbent left fielder Tommy Pham, himself a candidate to be re-signed by the club via free agency.
Replacing Pham with Conforto may not deliver the jolt to a disappointing San Diego offense that fans expect, however. In 2021 Conforto slashed an uncharacteristically middling .232/.344/.384 with a 101 OPS+, not far off from a post-injury Pham’s .229/.340/.383 and 103 OPS+ output. Considering both players dealt with injuries and seemingly underperformed their batted ball metrics, it’s possible the Padres may simply find more bounce-back appeal (and, potentially, contract value) in the 29-year-old over the more senior Pham, who just turned 34-years-old.
Whether the Padres and their growingly-thin farm system should take a risk on Conforto is up for debate, as the Boras client rejected a qualifying offer en route to free agency and will cost his new team a draft pick and international bonus pool money. Still, the upside Conforto— a career .255/.356/.468 (124 OPS+) hitter— possesses is undeniable, and a likely upgrade over any current in-house options.
With plenty of offseason (remarkably) left to go in March, San Diego’s projected lineup still has room to change. It’s perhaps worth mentioning that RosterResource currently has non-roster invitee Nomar Mazara penciled into left field, a risky proposition for a team looking to take on their two 100+ win division rivals.
Acee notes that the Friars have roughly $15MM left to spend before hitting the new luxury tax threshold, and potentially more given the team’s willingness to surpass that threshold last season. Even if the club is hesitant to pass the threshold in consecutive seasons it’s still possible a long-term deal can be worked out with Conforto, owing to the likely departure of the well-compensated Wil Myers after the 2022 season. Efforts to move Eric Hosmer’s remaining salary persist as well, which would only further serve president of baseball operations AJ Preller’s penchant for big moves.
With this in mind, team officials have told Acee that the club “is in position to spend for an offensive upgrade”. Whether Conforto is atop Preller’s shopping list remains to be seen, but it’s clear based on this report that the Padres will be a team to watch in the coming days.
Is there anyone the Padres AREN’T interested in?
@ MC Tim
Yes. Eric Hosmer.
Lol. I like Hosmer better at DH. He is a terrible 1st baseman
I agree. As much as I didn’t want a Universal DH, at least it gets Hosmer out of the field.
This is the greatest comment.
please sign him
They will lose two World Series this decade…one to the White Sox and one to the Red Sox.
I read somewhere that the Yankees were interested in him.
Yes, you may have, in the first paragraph
You were in the parking lot, that’s how I know you!
I recommend Bryan Reynolds. Have a feeling they are really wanting to move him and AJ gives out the best prospect returns.
Pittsburgh has shown zero interest in moving Brian Reynolds to date. He is still young enough to be a key piece for their next competitive team (2024). They have a ton of talent in the minors who should be debuting this year and next, so 2024 looks to be the year where Pittsburgh should be aiming for a .500+ season with an outside shot at a wildcard. They’d have to get a ton back for Reynolds, including a couple of players who are ready for a call up to MLB. I just don’t see them moving him unless they get an offer they can’t refuse.
They have discussed him with numerous teams. They asked for the world and were rejected. All it takes is them lowering their demands and another team deciding to go for it and we have a trade.
I agree with the 2024. But that is 2 years of non playoffs with Reynolds. And 2024 will be 2 years control remaining and the ideal time to trade him. His value is peak imo and imo their opinion as well. They don’t have to trade him but would very much like to. Only question is if another team is willing to pay their still high but more realistic price.
So… All it would take is PIT doing what they have refused to do? Alllllrighty then.
Teams calling on a player and a team shopping a player are two different things. I am sure that teams are calling Pittsburgh, but I can also see Pittsburgh showing zero interest in trading Reynolds.
Considering that Reynolds turned down an extension before the ‘21 season, I think he’s is gone once he hits FA. So, Pittsburgh should trade him. I’m sure they’re asking for the world, but someone will eventually entice them with half the world, lol. I can see it happening around opening day. When teams who believe they are a good player away from being elite will jump, imho.
Pittsburgh has had serious talks with mutiple teams. I am not guaranteeing it but won’t be surprised if they can find common ground and a trade is made.
i have nothing to add. just glad to see baseball transaction rumors and not labor negotiations.
You added positivity in what can usually become a negative landscape. That in of itself has value.
I still remember when Mets tried to acquire Justin Upton from SD at the ‘15 trade deadline. SD asked for Conforto & Amed Rosario which led to the Mets contacting Detroit about acquiring Cespedes.
Should’ve taken the deal. You would’ve had a World Series and the padres never would’ve picked up Hosmer.
Without Céspedes the Mets don’t make the WS in 2015. He was an absolute monster after they acquired him. He was a beast in 2016 too. Rosario was also one of the main pieces in the Lindor deal.
You’re wrong. Cespedes was the reason why the Mets went to the WS. Upton was not as good in any category. He was just a name who can hit homeruns. Cespedes hit homeruns, average and had a rocket for an arm. And conforto was a big part of the WS team too.
Another conforto post with nothing about his rapidly declining defense
His defense has actually gotten better since not playing center. Im assuming you got the free crackpipe in the mail.
Pass, let’s keep looking
It’s funny. Up to 2020, he’s outperformed Kyle Schwarber his whole career. They were both picked in the first round in 2014. 2021 and Conforto has his worst year and might have to settle for a pillow contract with a QO hanging over him. Schwarber has his best and is going to get paid with no QO and the DH in the NL.
Well Schwarber is a master hitting coach, did you see what Dalbec did the 2nd half after they got Schwarber? Difference was night and day.
Maybe Milwaukee will flip Hunter Renfroe. He’s a decent corner outfielder with some pop. Too bad the Padres don’t have a guy like that.
Boston flipped Renfroe when his value is high, it’d be hard to have a better season than he did last year. Got a couple prospects with JBJ. Man At 9M a year Boston might just cut him and let their CF prospect play.
Please cite the last time a team acquired a player and flipped him 3 months later in a offseason. It happens soooo infrequently you’d be better off saying it doesn’t happen.
The Dodgers flipped Andrew Heaney 5 hours after acquiring him back in the 14-15 offseason.
I got it, 99socal. Well done
it kind of went over a few heads here…..
Please don’t sign him, outfielders that can’t hit are a dime a dozen. If he used to be a Ranger he would already be signed.
Pham produced average OPS+, he’s an average outfielder so is Conforto. Why not buy some pitching and get the replacement level production in left from a rookie? They need arms that will carry them in August and September.
No to Conforto. I know that you need outfielders, but sign him and you still will. No.
We have heard for months what teams are interested in who. Let’s stop wasting the readers time and post relevant articles. I been hearing this stuff for too long it’s not news, and why keep posting on Conforto? I’m sure lots of teams showed lots of interest in several different players. Just stop with this and write something worth reading
@jaysfan – This is a baseball rumors website, and there has been a lockout for 3 months. I’m not sure what you’re expecting to see right now.
Hopefully, there will be news to report as soon as today. If so, it will be due to actual news…not due your demands.
Yeh, yeh, yeh, who aren’t the Padres interested in…..another day another Padres rumor!
The Rock Star GM never seems to be enamored with the team that he either currently has in the clubhouse, or on the farm…….
He wishes to recreate the 2010 Rangers…using the 2010 Rangers. I’m waiting for him to reach out to Josh Hamilton.
Conforto’s timing was basically his worst case scenario (besides injury). Conforto is a very serviceable high-average with a handful of AS game type player. His floor is as a starting corner OF. Unfortunately for him, he could be a .900OPS type hitter at a .725 OPS contract. I wouldn’t mind the Mets signing him for a pillow contract, but I’d still prefer int’l mystery that is Suzuki. I think Suzuki’s upside is higher than Conforto and he should be significantly cheaper at 5/$55m or maybe 6/$72m if there is a bidding war.
It would fill the left-handed bat and of needs. Now, if only Boras would give the Padres a “I owe you one for Hos” discount.
I won’t be holding my breath.
Padres have trouble with Lefties already.While we are RH hitter heavy we need guys who can hit LH pitching.That’s not Conforto.
I don’t care which way he swings….as long as he can hit a lefty.
Especially now that the Giants added Rodon and Kershaw is back with the Dodgers!