Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets will be extending Michael Conforto a qualifying offer, but he will decline and choose to enter the free agency market, sources told Michael Mayer of Metsmerized on Thursday. Since Conforto is declining this offer, the Mets will receive a draft pick as compensation.
This news reduces the chances of Conforto returning to the Mets, but it does not shut the door completely. The qualifying offer would include a one-year deal of around $19 million dollars, but Conforto must feel that he deserves a multi-year deal at this stage of his career. If he were to not resign, it would bring a seven year, illustrious Mets career to a screeching halt.
Conforto had, by his standards, a down year at the dish in 2021. The 28 year old’s modest slash line of .232/.344/.384 sat well below his career marks of .255/.356/.468. Perhaps the biggest downfall came in the power department, as he only smacked 14 home runs.
Conforto has shown 30+ home run power in the past, and like many other Mets hitters this season, unperformed according to expectations. He still showcased a strong arm out in right field, but also had a defensive WAR of -10.1, according to FanGraphs.
The Mets could not have expected the career 124 OPS+ hitter to accept the QO. Conforto, an All-Star back in 2017, ended the season on a much higher note than he started. Post All-Star break, he put together a slash line of .255/.347/.445. 11 of his 14 home runs also came in the latter half of the season.
It is likely that there are many teams who are in the hunt for Conforto in free agency, after his second half was more along the lines of his career averages.
It is possible that the Mets do end up signing Conforto to a multi-year deal, but if that is not the case, the Mets will likely look to explore other corner outfield options in free agency. Some of the names out there include Nick Castellanos, Mark Canha, and Jorge Soler.
