If Michael Conforto Extension is Possible, Get it Done
Mets' vision for the future of this organization is taking form. Conforto would be a vital support beam in that project.
If this organization is ready to push this thing into hyperdrive, lock up Michael Conforto to a long-term deal.
Show the rest of Major League Baseball that the New York Mets are prepared to chase championships, not just meaningful games in September.
They’ve exhibited as much in their approach this winter, going for quality and quantity as opposed to choosing between the two, as we’ve seen this team do so many times over the last few decades.
With solid depth pieces across the board, a new catcher in James McCann, a fortifying bullpen cog in Trevor May, and the acquisitions of Carlos Carrasco and Francisco Lindor from Cleveland essentially putting this team over the top heading into the first year of The Cohen Era, the Mets are changing the age-old narrative of maybe next year.
The progress we’ve seen over the last five months — yes, it’s only been five months since Steve Cohen purchased the team — is easily quantifiable. There’s an energy running amok through this fan base that hasn’t been there in eons.
Sure, there’ve been magical runs, but not the type of foundational groundwork for sustainable success that Cohen & Co. has laid down since taking the reins in November.
Signing Lindor to a 10-year, $341 million contract extension last week is the current high-water mark of the new regime, naturally. Now the organization has the opportunity to reinforce the future of this ballclub in extending Conforto.
The 28-year-old has developed every bit into the player Sandy Alderson and his scouting department envisioned when they drafted Conforto with the 10th-overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft (Oregon State).
His splashy debut in 2015 (.270/.335/.506, 133 wRC+) was followed by a sophomore slump (.220/.310/.414, 97 wRC+), a reemergence (.279/.384/.555, 147 wRC+ in 2017), a devastating shoulder injury and a long road back, transforming into the player we know today (.274/.376/.499, 42 home runs, 123 RBIs, 134 wRC+ since 2019; 205 games).
Conforto’s on-field contributions along with his lead-by-example demeanor make him an alluring candidate to spend the next half-decade or so of his career in Queens.
Is it a longshot Conforto takes himself off the board before hitting the market in November? Maybe. Definitely not out of the question though. Especially under the direction of the richest owner in baseball.
Last week, Tim Healey of Newsday quoted Mets president Sandy Alderson as saying the team has “plenty of capacity” to continue constructing a title-contending ballclub moving forward.
Lindor’s box has been checked in that regard. Conforto should be the next addition to the Dr. Frankenstein-type monster the Mets are building.
His agent, Scott Boras — while likely frothing at the mouth for the chance to represent Conforto on the open market — is at the whim of his client’s wishes.
Conforto has spoken highly of his time in New York thus far and has strongly alluded to Queens being somewhere he’d like to spend the rest of his career.
He didn’t set a hard deadline of Opening Day to have a deal in place, as Lindor did, but it’s fair to presume that no one wants to head into the season with that sort of distraction lingering.
If the possibility of a deal is there, the Mets would be hard-pressed not to press hard at that button. It’s quite possible they already are.
On Saturday, Healey (Twitter) reported that both Cohen and Alderson were scheduled to speak to the media on Friday but that availability has since, and continuously, been pushed off.
Conforto has also been unavailable to speak to the team’s press corps, per Healey. Naturally, speculation ran wild and here we are.
Late Saturday, Andy Martino of SNY wet-blanketed those notions with his report of no traction at this point, but that’s not important.
What is important is the fact that the Mets are approaching these very real decisions with prudence and initiative. And, usually, where there’s smoke there’s fire. Something to watch for, for sure.
The vision the penthouse offices have for the future of this franchise is evident. Parades, baby. Lots of them. Lindor said it himself last week when speaking of his goals in New York.
“Win not just one championship, but multiple championships,” he told reporters. “Make the Mets a place where everyone wants to play.”
They’re well on their way. And locking up Conforto would be the perfect measure to support that mantra.
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