The Giants appear to have landed one of the last major free agents this winter, agreeing to terms on a two-year, $36 million deal with outfielder Michael Conforto, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Bob Nightengale of USA Today first reported on the deal, which has a clause that allows Conforto to opt out following the first year.
Conforto hasn’t played in the majors since 2021. He was a free agent last winter, but he wasn’t signed and in April, he underwent surgery for an injury he sustained during personal training in January. In 2021, Confortó hit .232 with 14 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .729 OPS (in addition to an OPS+ of 100, the MLB average) in 125 games for the Mets. He, too, missed more than a month with a strained right hamstring.
In his first six major league seasons with the Mets, Conforto posted a 128 OPS+ and hit at least 27 home runs in three straight seasons from 2017-19. Then, in 2020, he posted a .927 OPS and .322 average in the Mets. season shortened by the pandemic.
On defense, Conforto has played each of the three outfield, but was exclusively a right fielder from 2020-21. Although not an elite defender, he is known for having a strong throwing arm and has a combined 10 lifetime outs. Above Average, eight in left field and two in right field.