On December 23, 2022, the San Francisco Giants signed outfielder Michael Conforto to a two-year, $36 million contract to bolster their lineup, hoping he could recapture his top form of 2017, 2019, and 2020.
The deal, however, contained an opt-out clause after the 2023 campaign, so Conforto could test the market again if that was his wish.
He has made a decision, and he is staying with the Giants.
“Michael Conforto has opted in and will make $18M for Giants in 2024,” MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted.
Michael Conforto has opted in and will make $18M for Giants in 2024
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 6, 2023
In the end, it was the right decision for Conforto as he didn’t have the most productive season in his first year in San Francisco.
In 125 games and 406 at-bats, Conforto slashed .239/.334/.384 with 15 home runs and a .718 OPS.
There were certainly several factors contributing to Conforto’s disappointing performance.
The Giants’ home park is not precisely the most inviting for hitters, as it often suppresses power and it has been that way for years.
But the primary reason might be associated with injuries: it’s important to remember that Conforto suffered a shoulder injury that robbed him all of the 2022 campaign.
We have seen hitters lose power and production after undergoing shoulder surgery.
However, to be fair, Conforto didn’t miss time with anything shoulder-related this year.
Instead, calf, heel and hamstring injuries did result in missed games and even injured-list stints.
Perhaps another year removed from his shoulder procedure and better luck in the health department next year can take his OPS closer to his career mark of .810.
That’s the hope, at least, given his hefty salary.
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