Black Friday is bringing new Chicago Cubs rumors to the forefront! Jon Heyman posted a new Cubs rumor connecting the team to a certain New York outfielder, which can provide an immediate impact. Now, of course we aren’t talking about Yankee, Aaron Judge. He’s asking for far too much and far too many years for the Cubs to dip in his pool. Plus, with how many young outfielders the club has, and with the Cubs interest in extending Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki owning right field for several more seasons, Judge isn’t a “fit”. (However, you can always make an argument that Judge can become a fit anywhere).
Heyman’s Cubs rumor is their interest in Michael Conforto. What is interesting, Conforto is only seeking a two-year contract with an opt-out. This type of deal is almost a no-brainer for the Cubs. While left and right field are manned, they don’t have an active centerfielder on the roster. Christopher Morel will likely cover CF, unless the team brings in a legit CF, and keep the seat warm till Brennan Davis or Pete Crow Armstrong are ready to take it over. So, giving Conforto a two-year deal with a possibly opt-out works for both the Cubs and Conforto.
Here’s a quick snap of what Conforto has done the last few years:
| Season | Games | Doubles | Home Runs | RBI | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| 2017 | 109 | 20 | 27 | 68 | .279 | .384 | .555 | .939 |
| 2018 | 153 | 25 | 28 | 82 | .243 | .350 | .448 | .797 |
| 2019 | 151 | 29 | 33 | 92 | .257 | .363 | .494 | .856 |
| 2020 | 54 | 12 | 9 | 31 | .322 | .412 | .515 | .927 |
| 2021 | 125 | 20 | 14 | 55 | .232 | .344 | .384 | .729 |
| Total | 592 | 106 | 111 | 328 | .259 | .364 | .473 | .837 |
HUGE DISCOUNTS ON CUBS MERCHANDISE AND APPAREL ON FANATICS!
The reason Conforto is looking for a two-year pact is his shoulder injury and surgery which kept him out of the 2022 season. This will absolutely be a “prove it” type of contract for him and that can absolutely benefit the Cubs (or whomever signs him). Now, chances are Conforto will provide value. He posted a 16.3 fWAR since the 2017 season, which would put him in the top 10 in the league. Add that kind of production to the top of the Cubs lineup and they start flooding the bases with runners, pressuring pitchers, and scoring more runs. Doesn’t hurt that Conforto can also go get balls in the outfield too.
I personally want the Cubs to pursue Cody Bellinger, but, if there’s less competition in the Conforto camp he is a great consolation prize. Offensively he helps balance out the lineup, adds a legitimate lefty bat, fills their centerfield hole, and fits into their future needs (opening a space for youngsters).
