While the Los Angeles Dodgers were expected to be major players in the Juan Soto sweepstakes (which the New York Mets ended up winning), they did still make a major signing of an outfielder, inking Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million deal. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that the deal also includes deferred money and an $8.5 million signing bonus.

Conforto, 32 in March, was once considered one of the top young bats in the National Leaguer after being drafted 10th overall by the Mets in 2014. During his first six seasons, Conforto slashed a notable .259/.358/.484 with a wRC+ of 128, making an All-Star appearance, and slugging 118 homers in 632 games. He experienced a down year in 2021 by his standards after slashing .232/.344/.384 with 14 home runs in 125 games as a nagging shoulder injury finally came to a head. He declined a Qualifying Offer in favor of the prospects of a big payday in free agency but he underwent shoulder surgery that prevented him from signing for the duration of the 2022 season.

He spent the year recuperating before signing a two-year, $36 million deal with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. In two seasons with the Giants, Conforto slashed just .238/.322/.418 with a 105 wRC+ in 255 games while slugging 35 home runs. While the production pales in comparison to his early years with the Mets and falls more in line with his down year in 2021, Conforto did prove himself healthy and capable of contributing, especially when factoring in the built-in limitations of Oracle Park.

It’s difficult for offensive players to thrive in San Francisco, and Conforto fell victim to the heavy marina air throughout his career with a 231/.309/.365 slash line. In 2024, he saw much more success on the road, hitting .253/.323/.530 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI in 72 games. No doubt not having to play half of his games at Oracle Park will be a welcome sight for Conforto as he sticks in the NL West and heads to a more favorable ballpark in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers will certainly welcome the production Conforto showed on the road and surely have the confidence to help him improve at the plate. As their roster currently stands, the Dodgers are projected to have an outfield consisting of James Outwood, Tommy Edman, and Andy Pages, meaning Conforto’s contributions would be an instant upgrade in the corner outfield. If nothing else, he also fills a void left by the departure of Teoscar Hernandez, who enjoyed a spectacular year with the Dodgers and could still return on a new free-agent deal.

Defensively, Conforto has been quite good in left field during his career, with 12 DRS and a .988 fielding percentage. Advanced stats haven’t been as favorable due to a lack of range and speed, but he does have a strong throwing arm. The Dodgers could easily plug him into a corner outfield spot and use him as a platoon bat as needed should they make more moves.

With Mookie Betts again moving to the infield for the 2025 season, the outfield was a clear spot of interest for the defending world champions. Conforto helps plug a hole, but it would be unwise to expect the Dodgers to be done adding position players where they can, considering they were in the bidding for Soto and regularly have the willingness to spend money. They also are looking for more pitching help where they can find it. Conforto may just be a herald of a larger move for the coming Winter Meetings.