Option 1: Braves bring in Michael Conforto
While many may cringe at the thought of Michael Conforto and his huge throw to home in July to give the New York Mets a win over the Braves, the 2020 All-MLB honoree could provide a much-needed punch in the outfield.
Michael Conforto has seen a lot of time in a Braves stadium, whether it be Trust Park or Turner Field, being drafted in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft and playing for the Mets since 2015. In fact, he has played roughly 47 games in Atlanta, according to his game logs.
After slashing .232/.344/.384 in 2021, the Mets are exploring options to replace the 29-year old outfielder. Despite his stats in 2021, Conforto is still a reliable outfielder to have, as this year saw him put up multiple lows offensively.
In 2020, Conforto was tied for fourth in the league in batting average after slashing .322/.412/.515 in the shortened season. In this time, he spent time as both right field and designated hitter while earning Second Team All-MLB honors as an outfielder. On top of his All-MLB selection, Conforto earned All-Star honors in 2017 after slashing .284/.403/.542 with 14 home runs and 41 RBI in the first half.
Conforto’s consistency and versatility in the outfield could prove to be a valuable addition to the Atlanta Braves, who need a solid everyday outfielder to bolster their lineup. This addition to Atlanta’s outfield could also move someone to the designated hitter spot, allowing the Braves to play better in the field while bolstering their offense.
After his uncharacteristically below-average season in 2021, Conforto may be a little cheaper than many may expect, as he also only played 120 games last season due to injury. At the right price point, Conforto could switch out his blue and orange for white and red this offseason.