The Giants pivoted to Michael Conforto days after their megadeal with superstar shortstop Carlos Correa fell apart, and two weeks after news of their agreement broke, the deal with the former New York Mets All-Star is officially complete.
The Giants on Friday announced they finalized the $36 million, two-year deal with Conforto, a National League All-Star in 2017 and widely considered one of the top remaining free agents on the market.
San Francisco officials had concerns about Correa’s physical in the hours before that proposed $350 million, 13-year contract was signed. Correa reached an agreement with the Mets on Dec. 21, but that contract hasn’t been finalized either. Now, reports are that the Minnesota Twins, who Correa played for last season and offered a 10-year offer before the Giants’ bid, might be back in play.
While the Correa drama continues to play out elsewhere, the Giants’ outfield overhaul, which began with the Giants and their fans dreaming of Aaron Judge in the mix, finally is complete.
Make yourself Confortoble 👋 pic.twitter.com/klWn8wygod
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) January 6, 2023
The deal is worth $18 million per season and includes an opt-out clause if Conforto makes at least 350 plate appearances in 2023. Left-hander Carlos Rodón had an innings opt-out clause in his deal with the Giants that he used to become a free agent after one season and sign with the New York Yankees this winter.
Conforto, like Rodón, enters the deal with some health question marks. He missed all of last season recovering from right shoulder surgery, but since the deal has been finalized, it appears no significant flags were raised during his physical exam.
Barring another injury, Conforto, 29, figures to easily reach that PA mark. Before last season he had at least 350 plate appearances in four of the previous six seasons, coming up short only during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season and when he had 348 plate appearances in 2016 when he missed about a month because of a wrist injury.
To make room for Conforto on the 40-man roster, the Giants designated catcher Austin Wynns for assignment.
In Conforto, the Giants have a left-handed slugger who was one of the most productive players in the National League from 2017-20. The former Oregon State star hit at least 27 home runs three straight seasons from 2017-19, topping out with 33 in 2019, and batted over .300 for the first time in 2020.
In 2021, Conforto hit .232 with 14 home runs, 55 RBI and a .729 OPS in 125 games, but the Giants are hoping he can return to form following surgery last winter after an injury he suffered during a workout during the lockout.
Conforto had spent his entire career in New York, batting .255 with 132 home runs, 396 RBIs and an .824 OPS in seven seasons. He has experience in all three outfield spots, though has primarily played right field.
Conforto and fellow free agent addition Mitch Haniger will get the bulk of the playing time in the corner outfield spots with Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater expected to share center field duties. Joc Pederson figures to be the Giants’ primary designated hitter and LaMonte Wade Jr. is expected to get more time at first base.
The Giants said Conforto will donate $90,000 to the Giants Community Fund in both 2023 and 2024 as part of his deal.
Wynns, 32, emerged as a fan favorite after arriving from the Phillies in a June trade when Joey Bart was sent back to the minors. Wynns hit .259/.313/.358 in 66 games. His run with the Giants might not be over. They have a week to trade Wynns or hope he passes through waivers and he’d accept a minor-league deal.
The Giants currently have two catchers on the 40-man roster: Bart and Blake Sabol, who has yet to appear in the majors and was picked in the Rule 5 from the Pirates system.
— On Thursday, the Giants announced infielder Tommy La Stella had cleared waivers and was released. That was mostly a procedural move that makes La Stella a free agent. He was designated for assignment late last month and any team that claimed him would have been responsible for the remaining $11.5 million on his contract. Now the 31-year-old can sign for the minimum and the Giants will pay the rest of the three-year, $18.75 million deal.
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