It is only one game, and for Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto, it is going to take a lot more than a pair of hits to change the contours of this disastrous season in L.A. Conforto was signed in the offseason to a one-year, $17 million with the expectation that he could fill the Dodgers’ glaring outfield hole from last season. Instead, he has been the biggest hole in the team’s lineup.
Entering Tuesday’s game against Colorado, Conforto was batting a mere .165, with a .565 OPS. Both are, obviously, career lows, and with just four home runs, Conforto is on pace to finish with the fewest HRs of his career. Worse, Conforto has been going backward, just 3-for-27 in eight games before Tuesday, dropping his already paltry average by 10 points.
Oh but that changed, at least of one night, against Colorado. Conforto recorded his first multi-hit game since May 27, going 2-for-5 with a home run and a double, knocking in three runs. The Dodgers have, somehow, managed to keep faith in their wayward signee, and there is some hope that what has been an utter bust so far can still be worth the payout.
Dodgers Could Replace Michael Conforto in Trade
While the Dodgers have been reluctant to tip their hand on the future of Conforto in the lineup, with the outfield an obvious spot to address at next month’s trade deadline, there’s no doubt he could be in line for a demotion if he can’t keep stringing together days like he had on Tuesday.
“Took some good swings today, a big homer there,” Conforto said, via the L.A. Times. “I’ve definitely been feeling better and hitting the ball a little bit harder and taking better at-bats.”
That’s got to continue, or the Dodgers will need to find an upgrade. Manager Dave Roberts did not explicitly say that, but he did imply that the Dodgers will make deals at the deadline, and that it is important for Conforto to show he belongs before that.
“I think he’s trending in the right direction,” Roberts said. “But we’re going to continue to look and figure out ways we can get better as a ballclub, as we do get closer to the deadline. I hope that’s not in his kind of mindset … But it’s important for him to continue playing well.”
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