Cubs to Sign Outfielder and Lefty Bat Michael Conforto

[Matthew Trueblood]

Image courtesy of © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Cubs need more depth in left-handed hitting, especially with prospective starting designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros delayed in his ramp-up due to visa issues this spring. Overnight, they agreed to sign veteran outfielder Michael Conforto to address that need, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Conforto, 32, hit just .199/.305/.333 last season with the Dodgers, though he held onto a steady enough role to collect 486 plate appearances. Formerly an All-Star-caliber corner bat, he's been diminished by injuries and no longer gets to much of his raw power, but he still has high-end bat speed and a patient approach at the plate. He would be a major defensive downgrade in either outfield corner; expect him to serve only as a DH. Even then, the extent to which he's actually used will hinge somewhat on Ballesteros's readiness.

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[Bertz]

I'm hoping this wnds up being a minor league deal or a split contract or something of the sort, but I suspect it won't be.

After dealing Caissie the roster was in a weird spot where it didn't need another LHH bat by default, but if god forbid something happened to Happ or Suzuki (or to a lesser extent Mo) you'd really feel Owen's absence.

My guess is in the name of hording depth one of Conforto/Carlson gets the last spot on the big league bench, McCormick gets added to the 40 man so he can be optioned to Iowa. and Alcantara's 100% opening the year at Iowa.  The big question on the latter is how much of all these OF machinations are a lack of faith in him versus other rationales.