The Mets have a glut of outfielders and that doesn’t appear to be changing any time soon with the news from earlier this week that the team intends to start the season with Jay Bruce as their starting right fielder.
Scott Boras, Michael Conforto‘s agent, disagrees with the notion that his client could potentially start the season at Triple-A Las Vegas.
“Michael has shown he has the talent level and is ready to establish himself in the major leagues,” Boras told the New York Post. “He’s conquered the minors, and now it’s time to let experience take its course.”
Conforto, 24 in March, broke into the majors with the Mets in July, 2015, shortly before the acquisitions of Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe from Atlanta, and stud outfielder Yoenis Cespedes from Detroit, in what was the major turning point of the season that saw New York appear in their first World Series since 2000.
In 56 games that year, Conforto hit to a .270/.335/.506 clip with nine homers and 26 RBI’s as well as clubbing two long balls in the World Series.
After picking up where he left off in 2016, Conforto hit the skids in early May and was eventually demoted to the minor leagues. He would earn a call-up later in the season, but still finished the year with a .220/.310/.414 batting line in 109 games.
2017 will be a telling year for Conforto, but with the outfield jam packed and Conforto still holding minor league options, he might be the odd man out to begin the campaign.
“I think we all know Michael is going to be a quality major league player,” Boras said. “When you’re productive, they’ll find a place for you. Nothing is set in January or February. The economics of the game place barriers often times that have to be exhausted. He’s a very good player and will be a principal part of the organization for some period of time.”
It remains to be seen what will happen between now and Opening Day. The likely starting point seems to be Triple-A Las Vegas, but I don’t think anyone doubts Conforto will be a quality player. Still, this is an awkward situation that can still be remedied if the Mets find a way to deal Bruce before the start of the season.
