Report: Rangers, Blue Jays in on Conforto
The Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams showing interest in free-agent outfielder Michael Conforto, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
The New York Mets, Conforto's previous team, are also involved, Rosenthal adds. Additionally, the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and Miami Marlins have been previously connected to the former All-Star.
Conforto, 29, sat out the entire 2022 campaign after rejecting the Mets' one-year, $18.4-million qualifying offer and undergoing shoulder surgery for an offseason injury. The Astros reportedly offered Conforto a two-year, $30-million deal in late August that would've made him eligible for the postseason and had him under contract through 2024, according to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. However, he rejected that deal.
The lefty-hitting outfielder boasts a career .255/.356/.468 slash line with 132 homers and 18 stolen bases over 757 games.
Both the Rangers and Blue Jays have had busy winters. Texas has added Jacob deGrom, Andrew Heaney, and Jake Odorizzi, while Toronto has signed Chris Bassitt, Kevin Kiermaier, and Erik Swanson.
The Jays currently have Lourdes Gurriel Jr. as their projected left fielder, while the Rangers have Josh Smith and Mark Mathias vying for playing time.