DALLAS — Just before the news hit that the Dodgers were not getting Juan Soto to bolster their outfield, they instead grabbed a more affordable player: Michael Conforto.
The Dodgers on Sunday agreed to a one-year, $17-million deal with Conforto, according to multiple reports.
About an hour after reports of the Conforto deal, the news broke that Soto had agreed to a record-setting 15-year, $765-million deal with the New York Mets. The Dodgers had reportedly been on the short list of teams to pursue Soto.
The Dodgers also reportedly agreed to a two-year, $22-million deal with right-hander Blake Treinen, bringing back one of the key relievers.
The Dodgers have not announced either the Conforto or Treinen deals.
Conforto, 31, hit .237 with 20 homers and a .759 OPS with the San Francisco Giants last season.
The Dodgers are in the market for outfielders because Teoscar Hernández is a free agent and they are planning to move Mookie Betts back to the infield next season. The Dodgers still could re-sign Hernandez, according to reports.
A left-handed hitter, Conforto hit .238 with a .740 OPS in the past two seasons with the Giants, after missing the 2022 season because of shoulder surgery. Conforto played left field for the Giants in 2024, after playing mostly right field in 2023.
Although Conforto had been much better against right-handed pitchers for most of his career, last season he had reverse splits, with an .886 OPS against lefties and a .724 OPS against righties.
The Conforto deal would be the second significant move for the Dodgers as they begin defense of their 2024 World Series title. Earlier this month they signed left-hander Blake Snell to a five-year, $182-million contract.
Treinen, 36, had a 1.93 ERA in 50 games with the Dodgers in 2024, after missing the previous year rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Treinen had a 2.19 ERA in the postseason, including a 42-pitch performance in which he recorded seven outs in the Dodgers’ World Series-clinching victory.
