MLB Rumors: Michael Conforto Has Suitor In AL West

The free agent market for Michael Conforto seems to be robust, although the former New York Mets All-Star hasn't played since a disappointing 2021 season. The newest team to be said to have interest in Conforto is the Seattle Mariners.

Sources: #Mariners among teams showing interest in free agent OF Michael Conforto, the Redmond (Wash.) High School grad. @MLBNetwork @SeattleSports

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 28, 2022

Conforto is a native of Seattle, as noted by MLB Insider Jon Morosi, and the Mariners are in need of another solid bat in the outfield, so the fit is there. 

The 29-year-old entered the free agent market last year after a down season with the Mets, but agent Scott Boras held off on getting him a deal until it was too late, after Conforto injured his shoulder in a personal workout in January during the lockout. 

He was considering coming back near the end of the 2022 season for a little one-month cameo—the Chicago White Sox were thought to be a potential spot at that time—but he ended up sitting out the entire year. 

At the GM Meetings earlier this month in Las Vegas, Boras told reporters, in his usual overstated manner, ''It is Christmas for the Confortos,'' insinuating there is a lot of interest in his client. 

Like one of his other clients, Cody Bellinger, it is quite possible that Boras looks for only a one-year contract for Conforto for him to build his market value back up to land a bigger payday next winter. 

Earlier this month, we reported on three other teams that are possible landing spots for the former Met. 

In 2021, Conforto batted .232 with a .729 OPS in just 125 games. 

Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports