The Yankees have one less option available in left field.
Michael Conforto, who was on the Yankees’ radar, has agreed to a two-year, $36 million contract with the Giants, Jon Heyman of The Post revealed on Friday.
The move follows the Giants’ failures with Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa.
Conforto is returning from shoulder surgery that cost him the entire 2016 season. A robust market for left-handed-hitting outfielders allowed him to remain in demand.
The 29-year-old spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Mets, and the Rangers and Cubs expressed interest in him this offseason.
He will have the option to opt out after this season.
Conforto’s ability to play the outfield is uncertain, and the Yankees already have Giancarlo Stanton at designated hitter, so he would not have been a perfect match in The Bronx.
The Yankees may not have what the Pirates are requesting in exchange for Bryan Reynolds.
Alongside Judge in right field and Harrison Bader in center, they are seeking a consistent left fielder.
This week, general manager Brian Cashman stated, “If possible, we’d like to improve in this area, but if not, we’ll stick with what we have.” It has been more difficult to resolve.
Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Cabrera are two in-house choices, but Hicks has been a disaster at the plate and has struggled to stay healthy, whereas Cabrera’s versatility makes him significantly more important.
Aaron Boone stated that he wanted Stanton to be a fielding option, but not in left at Yankee Stadium.
Boone stated, “I anticipate him playing more right field in our ballpark on Judge’s designated hitter days.” “Physically, he’s in a position to play the outfield in spurts throughout the entire season… I hope he is in a position to receive at least consistent looks in the field for the entire season.”
Stanton, though, was restricted by leg injuries during the second part of the 2017 season and has not played more than 38 games in the outfield since 2018.
The trade market remains a possibility, with Minnesota’s Max Kepler and Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds being players to watch.
If the Yankees are prepared to engage in a trade, Max Kepler could be available.
Reynolds demanded a trade throughout the summer, but according to insiders, his asking price includes a top pitching prospect, which the Yankees do not possess.
Additionally, the production of switch-hitting Reynolds decreased with the Pirates last season.
»Michael Conforto’s trade to the Giants narrows the Yankees’ left field choices«