Reports surfaced yesterday that the Mets will definitely offer RF Michael Conforto a qualified offer in 2022, but also that he will definitely turn it down and look to greener money pastures elsewhere.
I too would have offered him the QO and, if these reports prove out correct, it is totally predictable.
However...
Now we really are up shite's creek in the 2022 outfield.
As for me, I now only have one solid starter, Brandon Nimmo, who I would play in left.
So I ask you...
Where do we go from here?
I'll repost a comment I just put on Tom's recent Look at Michael Conforto piece:
ReplyDeleteRemembering that his agent is Scott Boras, I can see the Michael Conforto situation playing out like the Josh Donaldson or Marcell Ozuna initial free agency attempts did.
They both went all off season without signing a contract and then signed one year contracts near the Q.O. value and did it all again the next year.
I am not saying that Conforto will sign an $18M 1 year deal with Atlanta, but he could still be available for relatively small money when spring training breaks. Let's see what the outfield looks like and perhaps his 'qualifying offer' will still stand, without getting into big long-term money.
BTW. both of the aforementioned guys had big years to earn a good size follow-on contract, but that was probably the Atlanta magic. They seem to turn a lot of players into gold.
R 1969, if I am Conforto, I want a divorce, get out of that Citi park and go somewhere else that is more hitter friendly. Then boost the stats, sign for big bucks multi-year. Atlanta? The Yanks? Go to a team that is likely to get into the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteI think Khalil Lee starts out a reserve OF. Maybe he and Vientos split outfield time with Jeff McNeil too. Maybe JDD getting some OF reps, too, along with Pillar, who is likely due back on his player option.
I would like a certain Pittsburgh OF, an article for another day.
You have two power hitters that everyone wants to accelerate out of town in Dom Smith and J.D. Davis. Granted, playing one in LF and one in RF makes your centerfielder in major need of therapy for his legs, but if you want bats, they have each shown the capability, just not consistently.
ReplyDeleteTo me the bigger issue to resolve is pitching because after an injured Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker and Tylor Megill, there's not a lot there. Are you counting on David Peterson or Jordan Yamamoto to make a difference? I'm not.
Changes are necessary starting with JDD and Dom.
DeleteReese, Yamamoto got shelled in AAA. Adam Oller pitched far better there.
ReplyDeleteAnd if Conforto accepts the QO we are stuck with him and don’t go after a better hitter. W
ReplyDeleteStarling Marte and Taylor (as long as he is willing to leave LA) That is all.
ReplyDeleteWould like to see if the A's would be willing to deal Laureano, being with finishing out of the playoffs, budget constraints and the PED suspension. Not sure how many games he has remaining on that.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how his hitting would be affected, but I would bet the gold glove defense would still be there in CF.
I would try also for someone like Corey Dickerson for a corner slot. He's hit everywhere he's gone and plays good defense as well.
Conforto goes to a place like Cincy or Philly, where they play in a band box. I would say that Baez may wind up replacing Didi in Philly as well.
Dom Smith played himself out of a job here, I feel. McNeil may move back to the infield. Davis may be backup or bench, if not dealt.
Bob W