After a lost season, Michael Conforto should have many options in free agency

Seven-year MLB veteran Michael Conforto surprisingly spent the entire 2022 season on the free-agent market after a successful run with the New York Mets.

In 757 games as a Met from 2015-2021, the sweet-swinging lefty hit 132 home runs (capped off in a 33 HR, 92 RBI season in 2019) and posted an OPS+ of 124, meaning he was 24 percent above the average offensive output throughout those seven seasons.

Conforto, 29, failed to sign a contract anywhere once the MLB lockout was lifted.  It was later revealed that he had surgery on his right shoulder, ending his season before it even began.

Once reports came out that Conforto might be able to make a late-season return after all, the rumor mill began to heat up. Multiple teams, including the Blue Jays, were considering bringing the outfielder aboard. None did.

Throughout his career, Conforto has well over 1,000 innings at all three outfield spots but hasn't been an above-average defender in any season except his first in 2015. The surgery on his throwing shoulder could raise an alarm for some teams. His arm was never top-notch, to begin with.

Conforto remains out on the free-agent market. With the World Series winding down, free agency will soon open. Expect the 2017 All-Star Game participant to find a new home.

FanGraphs' Roster Resource is a useful tool that looks at current and projected depth charts on MLB teams. The team that sticks out as most in need of an outfielder with pop is the Seattle Mariners, who are set to lose Mitch Haniger in free agency and will rely on an unproven trio of Taylor Trammell, Kyle Lewis, and Jarred Kelenic.

Injuries have become something of an issue for Conforto over the years. However, a one-year contract should provide teams with enough security that they could cut bait quickly if he struggles to regain his mojo at the plate and in the field. Other options aside from the Mariners include the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, and even his old team, the New York Mets.

Coming off of a lost season, Conforto should have many options, and he would be available at a relatively low price. Look for him to sign a one-year deal in the vicinity of $10M-$15M.