Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Michael Conforto spoke about his absence on the Dodgers’ rosters for all three of their postseason series thus far this October.
The Dodgers signed Conforto to a one-year, $17 million deal before the 2024 season to take over left field, however the veteran All-Star has failed to deliver for LA. Conforto batted just south of the Mendoza Line throughout the season, hitting 12 home runs and finishing the regular season with a .635 OPS. Conforto played 138 of the Dodgers regular season games.
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“I am just trying to enjoy this experience and soak it all in and trying to stay ready if they need me in this series or the next one,” Conforto said. “But definitely not being on the roster is motivating, so I have some things I have to work on and go into the offseason and take care of those things and we’ll see what happens.”
Despite his struggles over the course of the season, Conforto has proven in the past he can hit well. He is a career .785 OPS hitter, and found his bat towards the end of the season.
With Conforto riding the bench, the Dodgers have been playing Alex Call and Kike Hernandez in left field during their run this postseason. The duo have been exceptional during the Dodgers’ playoff run, with Call posting an OPS of 1.607 through six plate appearances and Hernandez reaching a mark of .886 through 32 at-bats.
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The Dodgers are rather set as far as outfield depth goes, with Justin Dean available off the bench in a pinch, but having a former All-Star in Michael Conforto on the bench is a good option for any team to have.
The Dodgers are yet to announce their roster for the World Series, however the odds of Conforto featuring for the Dodgers during the postseason is becoming increasingly low due to the stellar performances of Call and Hernandez in left field.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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29 Responses
I acknowledge overall, for Conforto, not a great season, though he finished strong. But he is gentleman, never made excuses, always took responsibility, worked hard and got better, and I hope that he is brought onto the roster late in the WS, and he hits a game winning home run. I just like the guy, wish he had done better overall.
Some people believe that the World Series should allow a limited expanded roster. I agree with that idea. One or two more pitchers or fielders or a combination as needs determine. If that was the case, I think Conforto would be on it. But it is not the current protocol and so a marginal seasonal result can not be counted on in such a high pressure situation. Kike’ and Alex have filled their roles as expected, hitting and fielding. Yes, Conforto did hit 12 home runs but other wise struck out too much or grounded into rally killing doble plays. We all feel for this veteran but the Dodgers have proved to be better off without him. Since I don’t think he will be resigned, I hope he does land in a good spot for him in 2026.
That would be quite the story!
Conforto was given more chances than most. Dodgers stuck with him during his bleak season. If there is a Rookie on WSR possibly make a Roster spot for him. He is a good defensive outfielder and was getting better at bats. Dodgers made room for Kershaw understandably. Why not bring him to Series. He’s a left handed hitter which could enter an equation. Shohei struck out a lot postseason too, so no one is Perfect. 3 Homers while pitching is beyond Awesome. I Think Conforto can be brought into Series and Should. Dodgers Starters should allow such a Move! It’s Not always about Who deserves What or is Better than Thou at any given moment in a Short Series a Lefty bat Could be the difference…!
Reward is Sweet and a Spot opening just might give the Dodgers One More Reason to Shine!
Conforto should be on the WS roster instead of Dean because having an extra left handed bat in the lineup against either Seattle or Toronto would be advantageous since both teams only have 2 left handed pitchers each.
Kim is also a left handed batter, but he’s the primary pinch runner.
Even though Conforto batted less than .200 for the season, he did have a few clutch hits, made key defensive plays, had a decent on base percentage and moved runners over.
He’s also more hungry to do well than Dean which is needed to win the final 4 games of the season.
Dean has played such a valuable role on defense they need him on the World Series roster. If Conforto was on it then he would be replacing Kim
What a loser
If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, and the Dodger’s roster is not broke!
If the Dodgers win the World Series Conforto will get a ring and he’ll be in the parade.
Couldn’t agree more!
Conforto was given too many chances, more than he deserved, during the regular season. I don’t think he’s that great of a defensive player. I’ve seen many times where Edman, Pages, and both Hernandez’s are diving to catch the ball. Then I’ve seen Conforto, countless times, letting the ball bounce in front of him. That’s NOT a great defensive player.
We’re done great without him. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Just let him go and try to work on the things he needs to do so he’ll get invited to spring training.
Who knows, maybe the Brewers will take a chance on him.
I do find it interesting that Conforto played over 100 games in the regular season, but was left off the roster once the postseason came around. I think the Dodgers were hoping he would turn a corner, but it never happened.
Definitely going to be looking for a prove-it deal this offseason and hopefully he turns it around. But I agree no need to mix things up when it’s been working.
Hey deserves a chance to be on the roster, though a bad year. He should replace dean on the roster. Confortonis just as good as dean on the outfield,and with a lot more years of experience. On game situation, a better arm. And knowledge of the game..
The Dodgers have used Dean almost every game I don’t see any way he doesn’t make the team. They love his defense and speed
Why mess with success!!?? Dodgers have done quite well without Conforto. No reason to change the formula now. Beside that, he hasn’t played in 3 weeks. How ready can he be?
Definitely agree no need to mess with what’s working. They clearly like having Justin Dean’s defense and speed. Only person Conforto could replace would be Hyeseong Kim who’s barely got any run. But I agree, if it ain’t broke…
Lol must be nice. Only the Dodgers and a handful of teams could be so rich that a guy like Michael Conforto doesn’t even make their roster. It’s completely ridiculous and unfair the MLB desperately needs a salary cap it worked great for the NFL and NBA. MLB is so dam currupt. World series like the NLCS won’t even be watchable this year. If the Dodgers don’t sweep the Mariners their year was a complete failure w the amount of money they spent
As much as I feel for him, I agree. Call and Kike have been doing too well in the field and at the plate!
Lol must be nice. Only the Dodgers and a handful of teams could be so rich that a guy like Michael Conforto doesn’t even make their roster. It’s completely ridiculous and unfair the MLB desperately needs a salary cap it worked great for the NFL and NBA. MLB is so dam currupt. World series like the NLCS won’t even be watchable this year. If the Dodgers don’t sweep the Mariners their year was a complete failure w the amount of money they spent
Definitely needs to be on the World Series roster, a left who’s got some pop is dangerous anytime against predominantly a right handed staff.
Who would you leave off for him?
Comments are ridiculous.
C0-4to with an avg .199 in the regular season neing amongst the worst of the worst players in MLB who played a strong role losing multiple games and he should play just because
… he is left handed and may be dangerous? 😀
Don’t you want to play Spammer Scott so at least the World Series so he would make the game more interesting (for the opposing team)?
Now I realized why the season is this long in baseball – some fans have shorter memory than a goldfish.
I think it is so easy to fall into the storyline surrounding a potential comeback for Conforto, but the reality is that the World Series is not the chance to test it whatsoever.
Well I am glad Conforto is honest about his situation. He did strike out a lot and his batting average was below the Mendoza line the whole season and with the bottom of the line up struggling most of the season I feel the Dodgers lost home field advantage during the playoffs and they had to play a wild card team in the first round. I am beyond confused why the Dodgers never gave Ryan Ward an opportunity with the big club with Conforto batting .160. Ryan Ward did win the MVP of the Pacific Coast League and led all AAA players in home runs. I sure hope he gets on a team next season that will use him at the MLB level or he could play in Japan or Korea with a nice paying contract. He deserves it.
Agreed. Accountability is important, but just the first step in turning it around. Not sure if testing Conforto in the World Series is the right move, though
He’ll be on the WS roster. 100%
That would be some story if he not only made the roster but contributed in the World Series! Excited to see what happens
This is why MLB needs a salary cap like the NBA and NFL. We end up w super teams like the Dodgers who undoubtedly win the World Series this year who just swept the second best team in the National League and a guy as good and expensive as Michael Conforto doesn’t even make their playoff roster! Michael Conforto would be the highest paid player on a ton of small market teams he would be in the top of the line up on half the league yet w the Dodgers he doesn’t even make the team! It’s an outrage how horribly unfair the MLB is w the salery cap thing. We need a salery cap immediately.
That’s a good point about Conforto’s contract. Maybe a salary floor is needed as well to ensure there is at least some level of competitiveness that each team has to uphold. Maybe in addition to the cap