The Astros have been seeking a lefty-hitting outfielder for much of the offseason and have shown some recent interest in Michael Conforto, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. McTaggart adds that Houston’s chances of trading infielder Isaac Paredes have “diminished” recently. Houston has reportedly been exploring the possibility of adding another lefty bat by way of a Paredes trade.
Conforto, 33 on March 1, is coming off a career-worst season with the Dodgers, wherein he slashed .199/.305/.333 in 486 trips to the plate. It’s the first decidedly below-average offensive performance in the big league career of the 2014 first-round pick and 2017 All-Star. That said, Conforto’s career has been on a downward trajectory since a shoulder injury caused him to miss the 2022 season.
Since returning from surgery, Conforto has played in three seasons with the Giants and Dodgers, hitting a combined .225/.316/.390 in 1444 plate appearances. He still draws plenty of walks (10.5% in that time) but hits more grounders and weak fly-balls than he used to, and his line-drive rate has dipped considerably (22.4% from 2015-21; 17.8% since). Conforto has generally hit righties well and been closer to average in left-on-left matchups, but he’s been better against lefties in each of the past two seasons (albeit in a small sample of 184 left-on-left plate appearances).
Given the lackluster overall performance since Conforto’s shoulder surgery and last season’s career-worst showing, the price tag to sign him won’t be prohibitive. At best, he’d command a low-cost one-year deal, but given that spring training is underway and interest doesn’t appear to have been robust throughout the winter, Conforto could also simply sign a minor league deal and head to big league camp with the Astros.
Yordan Alvarez is the only established left-handed hitter in Houston’s lineup. Young outfielders Zach Cole and Joey Loperfido are in the mix for Opening Day roster spots but have minimal major league experience. Broadly speaking, the outfield in Houston is rather unsettled, regardless of player handedness. Jake Meyers is locked into center field, but the rest of the picture seems fairly up for grabs. The team wants Alvarez to spend more time at DH than in left field this year. Cam Smith had a huge spring last year and a big start to his rookie season before fading considerably as the year went on. Cole struck out at a 35% clip in the minors. Loperfido posted roughly league-average offense with the Blue Jays’ Triple-A club (before being traded back to Houston last week). Former first-rounder Brice Matthews is a middle infielder by trade but has begun a transition to the outfield due to Houston’s crowded infield mix.
The Astros have explored trades of Paredes throughout the winter. His status as the starting third baseman was upended when they reacquired Carlos Correa at last year’s trade deadline. Paredes can also play first base, but that’s manned by Christian Walker in Houston. He’s owed $40MM over the next two seasons and unsurprisingly has not garnered much trade interest at that rate. An ideal situation might see the ’Stros find a trade that sends Paredes out in exchange for a veteran corner outfielder, but they’ve come up empty despite considerable effort, so it’s not especially surprising to see them looking at some low-cost free agent alternatives in their quest to add a left-handed bat.
They are sinking to new lows please don’t get conforto
He sure stunk last year
Not since Andruw Jones has a healthy, once All-Star caliber player had a worse season with the Dodgers.
A little more power, walks and higher OPS than Mike Tauchman, who got a minor league contract. NOT a game changer and blocks one of the young OFers.
I would take Conforto because we need a vet presence in the outfield.
He’s terrible
Why don’t they just have Paredes take reps in left field? He couldn’t be much worse than Altuve or Yordan out there
He would be much worse than Altuve.
How do you figure? I think third is more difficult than left field?
Paredes’ range is much shorter than Altuve’s. And he’s not a plus defender at third base. I’d rather have Walker play left. Because he’s played there
They’ve fallen to a new level of GM incompetence. The end of the run was when owner Jim Crane though he knew more than GM James Click who build the World Series winning team..
I think Conforto is fine, but please don’t offer him for than a 2 million guarantee. I think that Dana Brown won’t give Conforto anything ridiculous but something like $1.25 million plus incentives and a club option for like $2.5 million with 75K buyout.
Conforto should jump at a minor league deal from the Astros. It is his best shot at a semi starting gig around. Any LH outfielder left on the market should be calling the Astros.
If they get a LH bat that way, why wouldn’t they try to trade Paredes for bullpen arms and/or utility IFs?
Still don’t understand why they can’t line up with the Pirates for this. It feels criminal to have a bat like Paredes’ not starting regularly. I understand an injury can quickly change that but still.
I think it’s the Pirates backing away from a Paredes trade. I guess you could get Conforto and the Astros don’t need a utility INF. If we get Conforto, I would take a package of prospects.
It’ll be interesting to see how much they could get Conforto for. Depends on how desperate he is but with Boras as his agent, I can’t imagine him making below $5M and being on a big-league deal rather than a minor league contract.
If that’s the case, the Astros are in the exact same position before they traded Sanchez if they hold on to Paredes.
I am still naively optimistic that something between the Astros and Pirates can be worked out.
I don’t think so. Conforto is a declining player and Boras would rather get his agent this much money rather no money at all.
It’s hard to say, honestly. Spotrac has him projected for over $6M and I’m wondering if he’s waited to sign until teams are desparate like the Astros.
Last year was his first year with a below 100 OPS+ since 2016. I’d imagine Boras will point to some of his peripherals: his bat speed is still in the top quarter of the league, an above average xwOBA, doesn’t chase, walks a bit. He’s honestly not a terrible hitter. I could easily see him making $5M.
If he costs $6 million, Astros will pass on him. If he costs $5 million, so will he.
“I’m wondering if he’s waited to sign until teams are desparate like the Astros.”
I think it’s the other way around. Look at Nathaniel Lowe or Mike Tauchman.
Yeah, that Tauchman signing was a steal by the Mets. He deserves more than that. Shocked he didn’t get a MLB deal.
Injury risk, I’m guessing.
No comment.
I’d rather have Paredes than Correa. They kind of botched that (fan-favorite or not)
100% Idk what they were thinking outside of overestimating Walkers trade value
They don’t want to give away Walker for free, considering the fact they think he still has upside.
No one would take him for free. Astros would have to take on some of the contract, or add a prospect.
Both probably, that’s why they don’t want to do it, because other teams underestimate Walker.
Always like Mike, watched him come up with the Mets. I think he’s finished though.
The White Sox were “ interested” in him about a month ago and even they passed on him.
He could be all Astros if Dana Brown offers a MLB deal
Conforto won’t cost much and if he continues to decline wouldn’t hurt financially to cut. In a strict platoon he might be able to squeeze a last drop of offense out of his bat
FGDC Projections
Player wOBA WAR/PA
Myers .307 2.2/490
Smith .307 1.0/454
Cole .300 0.8/434
Loperfido .302 0.6/399
Dezenzo .306 0.2/133
Conforto .319 0.5/294
They love Meyers. I think Smith is going to perform better, same with Cole and Loperfido. Deznezo is going to get a good chunk of time in the minors. He’s more like a trade chip. I would take Meyers’ projection all day everyday.
It’s a match made in heaven. He stinks and the Halos stink!
You stink too! It’s an Astros post, not Angels.
Conforto has been in decline since he almost immediately rejected the Mets qualifying offer a few years ago and stormed out the door, acting like this was his big payday coming up. I thought that was funny when he did that. Then he went and got hurt and missed a whole year. This guy should just take whatever he can get even if it’s a minor league deal and just try to build off of that if he wants to keep playing.
What was it Nancy Reagan used to say?
Oh yes, “JUST SAY NO!”
Wrong hole!
Boras trying to make a market for his worst client that has already stolen money from two different teams since he left the Mets
Might as well trade Paredes for Joey Bart and a pitcher prospect down at AA. Better deal than this idea, at least
That’s not a fair trade, given the Pirates pitching prospects in AA.
I still don’t think the Astros are as stupid as some of these rumors make them seem
if only a team with a glut of lh bats in the OF could have used a 2nd or 3rd basemen a week ago.