Chicago Cubs add Michael Conforto in low risk move as former Mets star searches for reset after Dodgers season

In an offseason trade, the Chicago Cubs added a familiar name to camp on February 23 as Spring Training gets underway. Veteran outfielder Michael Conforto was signed by the Cubs, MLB insider Jon Heyman broke the news. While terms are not yet disclosed, deals at this point in camp usually include the opportunity to be invited to the non-roster and an opportunity to vie for a big-league job.

Chicago Cubs and Michael Conforto’s new contract

The former New York Mets first-round pick once looked like a cornerstone bat. Selected No. 10 overall in the 2014 MLB Draft out of Oregon State, Conforto was promoted to the majors in 2015 where he quickly made a name for himself as a polished, left-handed-hitting man with power. In 2017, he was nominated for the All-Star Game and solidified his place as one of the up-and-coming outfielders in the league. From 2017 to 2019, Conforto hit 88 home runs and had a collective .855 OPS. He followed that with a dominating shortened 2020 campaign with a .322 batting average and a .927 OPS. At his best, he commanded the strike zone, drove the ball into all fields and commanded right-handed pitching. Michael played with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, struggling to get all the way out to the .199 average and .637 OPS with 12 home runs in 138 games. Now close to 33, Conforto comes to the Chicago Cubs with mettle to prove.

Conforto’s injury update and contract details

Ahead of the 2026 season, the Cubs do not require Conforto to be his 2017 version, but they do need quality at-bats, depth, and left-handed pop. If he can regain even part of his former shape, the signing will be a silent victory for the Cubs. Conforto still flashes the smooth, compact swing he once used to make him a middle-of-the-order threat. Scouts have long touted his plate discipline and ability to work counts. At little financial risk, the Cubs acquire a veteran who knows what to expect in the playoffs and knows how a clubhouse operates.

For Chicago, this move has little downside. If Conforto's bat comes back, the Cubs add authentic power to their outfield mix; if not, the commitment is minimal. Either way, the Cubs are giving a once All-Star a clean slate, and Conforto another shot to remind the league who he once was.


Get the latest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 updates, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and key series stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.