Michael Conforto, Mets avoid arbitration with one-year, $12.25M deal

The Mets and outfielder Michael Conforto have avoided arbitration with a $12.25M settlement, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. Conforto is a client of the Boras Corporation.

Conforto, soon to turn 28, has been a terrific offensive performer since he debuted in 2015, but he found another gear last season. Across 233 plate appearances, Conforto slashed .322/.412/.515 with nine home runs. Although he did benefit from a .412 batting average on balls in play, Conforto’s 157 wRC+ was nevertheless good for the seventh-highest mark in the National League.

The upcoming season could be the last as a Met for Conforto, who’s slated to reach free agency next winter. But Conforto has expressed interest in a contract extension in the past, and team president Sandy Alderson said in November he expects to “broach” the topic of a new deal this offseason.