In his pre-game press conference this afternoon, Terry Collins expressed his support for Michael Conforto, saying the young outfielder will be an everyday player starting next year.
Although Collins has hesitated to use Conforto against left-handed pitching in big games this year, he does believe he can hit left-handed pitching, saying, “I think he can hit lefties. I think he’s going to be an outstanding player, but this is what we’ve been doing since he came here and we said you know what, it gives us our best defense.”
“Michael Conforto is going to be a very good player, and next year he’s going to be an everyday player,” said Collins.
Things are, of course, still very much up in the air for the outfield next year with Yoenis Cespedes set to hit free agency. However, Conforto, who hit .270/.335/.506 with nine homers in 56 regular season games, did just about everything he could to earn a spot for next year and is certainly deserving.
This does, though, put Michael Cuddyer‘s future into question. Cuddyer hit .259/.301/.391 in 110 games this season, failing to live up to his deal so far. That being said, he still is only two seasons removed from a National League batting title, so the Mets may want to keep him for next year as a bat off the bench.
