Latest news with #MichaelConforto
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers' Exec on Possible Michael Conforto Trade: 'Never Say Never'
Dodgers' Exec on Possible Michael Conforto Trade: 'Never Say Never' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Dodgers took a swing this offseason by signing veteran outfielder Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million deal to fill their hole in left field. Now, Conforto has become a hole in the batting lineup, struggling at the plate. Advertisement The 32-year-old has a batting average of just .168, with only 13 RBIs and 4 home runs across 202 at-bats. Oh, and his WAR is -0.9. With a career .246 BA, the Dodgers were not expecting anything special from Conforto, but production at replacement level or slightly better should have been in the cards. According to Bill Shaikin at the Los Angeles Times, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman would not rule out the possibility of trading away the struggling outfielder for his replacement. "'Never say never,' Friedman said, 'but I think we would hold a very high bar and find it very unlikely,'" Shaikin wrote. Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Michael Conforto (23) celebrates after hitting a one run home run during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Frerker-Imagn Images Friedman did offer some words of support for Conforto, who he believes could turn a corner soon. Advertisement "Michael hasn't performed up to what he expected or we expected,' Friedman said. 'But, watching the way he is working, watching the progress being made, I would bet that his next two months are way better than his last two months." A season long slump for Conforto would be surprising to say the least. After all, he has an All-Star cast in the field surrounding him. Maybe some of their charm will rub off on the embattled vet, but all cards are still on the table for Friedman and the Dodgers. "The important thing is, if we have an injury or (poor) performance, do we feel like we have different ways to maneuver? We do," Friedman said. Right now, it would be pretty hard for the performance to get any worse than what Dodgers fans are seeing out of Conforto. We will have to wait and see if he turns it around, or if Friedman will maneuver elsewhere to fill the hole in left field. Related: Trade Idea Gives Dodgers Another Arm in Rays Starter This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Dodgers Offer 3-Word Response on Trade Replacement for Michael Conforto
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers added some distance in the standings over the division rival San Diego Padres with a win on Tuesday, but the race in the National League West could be much tighter than they thought. Sitting fewer than four games behind the Dodgers in the division, the San Francisco Giants added superstar slugger Rafael Devers in a shocking trade with the Boston Red Sox. That move announced very clear win-now intentions from the Giants and it raised questions about whether the Dodgers might respond in kind by the midseason trade deadline. And if the Dodgers are considering an external upgrade, it seems pretty clear which current player would be replaced, at least offensively. "To date, obviously, Michael (Conforto) hasn't performed up to what he expected or we expected," Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. "Obviously, like we will with all of our players, we will continue to assess where things are." LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 16: Michael Conforto #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during batting practice before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on May 16, 2025 in Los Angeles,... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 16: Michael Conforto #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during batting practice before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on May 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) More How/Getty After joining the Dodgers on a single-year, $17 million contract, Conforto has slashed a dismal .168/.305/.277 so far this season. In a batting order alongside superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, that level of performance and his lack of tenure with the team could make Conforto the obvious man out if an intriguing trade option emerges for the Dodgers. When asked point blank if there is a possibility that the Dodgers will trade for a new left fielder, Friedman offered a clear three words in response: "Never say never," he said, per Shaikin. Friedman did add that such a trade is "very unlikely" and he has noted that one reason for the Dodgers' aggressive offseason was because he's hesitant to overpay for upgrades at the trade deadline. But with Conforto struggling, it seems the team is at least open to making an external change. More MLB: Ex-MLB Executive Urges Tigers To Acquire Bullpen Help Ahead Of Deadline
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers Could Make Major Michael Conforto, Mookie Betts Decisions
Dodgers Could Make Major Michael Conforto, Mookie Betts Decisions originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Dodgers have an obvious need for pitching heading into the trade deadline, as it would appear they always have 14 arms enduring the IL on a rotating basis. However, one spot that isn't of much concern is the offense. Advertisement The Dodgers' batting order is the second-best in the game in terms of OPS, with a .797, second only to the Yankees, who wouldn't have the lead if Aaron Judge weren't part of the equation. But according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, a great offense might not stop them from adding strength to strength. 'The Dodgers chose offense over defense this winter when acquiring Michael Conforto to go with re-signing Teoscar Hernández to align their corner outfield spots," he wrote. "Except Conforto, who signed a one-year deal worth $17 million to juice up his value, hasn't worked out. Even after Wednesday, when he tied the score with a solo home run in the fifth inning, Conforto has a .600 OPS. That's the eighth worst in baseball among qualified hitters. As patient as the Dodgers have been with Conforto, it's not as if they're overflowing with options should they move off him.' May 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto (23) fields an RBI single by Los Angeles Angels catcher Travis d'Arnaud (not pictured) in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Ardaya mentions Hernández, Andy Pages, and Tommy Edman as outfield options while Mookie Betts is left at shortstop. It's also worth noting that Hyeseong Kim can play the middle-infield positions as well as the outfield. But whether it's a vast improvement or not, Ardaya insists the Dodgers could still upgrade left field if they have a mind to. Advertisement 'The Dodgers' offensive needs aren't dire. They entered Wednesday ranked second in baseball in scoring 5.53 runs per game. But they'll monitor the market, just as they did a year ago in acquiring Edman, Kevin Kiermaier and Amed Rosario at the deadline (Rosario lasted just a week before being cut).' Related: Dodgers Predicted to Make Multiple Trades Amid Pitching Injuries This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Teoscar Hernández hits a 3-run homer and the Dodgers beat the Padres 5-2 to win the series
Teoscar Hernández broke a sixth-inning tie with a three-run homer and Michael Conforto also went deep for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Wednesday to take two of three games in the first series this season between the NL West rivals. The defending World Series champions bounced back from Tuesday night's 11-1 loss, a rout so bad for the pitching-strapped Dodgers that utilityman Kiké Hernández pitched the final 2 1/3 innings after starter Matt Sauer threw 111 pitches. Rookie right-hander Ben Casparius got through four innings in his second start of the season, with just one rough patch. He allowed five straight Padres to reach in the second but they got just one run, thanks largely to center fielder Andy Pages throwing out Gavin Sheets at the plate on a 99 mph throw on the fly to catcher Will Smith. After allowing three straight singles, Casparius walked consecutive batters, including No. 9 hitter Martín Maldonado with the bases loaded. Fernando Tatis Jr. then flied out on the first pitch to end the threat. Conforto homered to left-center off Randy Vásquez with one out in the fifth, his fourth. Hernández hit a 420-foot shot to straightaway center field off Jeremiah Estrada with one out in the sixth, his 11th. Freddie Freeman was aboard on a single off Adrian Morejon (3-3), and Smith drew a walk from Estrada. After pulling to 4-2 on Sheets' sacrifice fly in the sixth, the Padres blew another prime scoring chance when Michael Kopech walked the bases loaded with one out in the seventh. Anthony Banda came on and retired three-time batting champion Luis Arraez on a weak popup and Manny Machado on a grounder. The Dodgers, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate San Diego in a National League Division Series last year, host the Padres next Monday through Thursday. Key moment Pages' throw home was on the first base side of the plate, but Smith caught it, wheeled around and tagged Sheets. Key stat Lou Trivino (2-0) got the win and Alex Vesia, the Dodgers' eighth pitcher, struck out the side in the ninth for his third save. Up next Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-4, 2.20 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at home against San Francisco. Padres RHP Stephen Kolek (3-1, 3.00) starts the opener of a three-game series at Arizona.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers win battle vs. Padres in MLB's hottest rivalry: 'Playoff atmosphere'
SAN DIEGO — Everyone in Southern California has driven on the dreadful Interstate 5 with its consistent traffic and it isn't just the highway that connects the West Coast from America's northern and southern borders: it's where baseball's hottest rivalry resides. Dodger Stadium and Petco Park are connected by the highway, and to the south is where one of the top series in MLB commenced this week. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres met for the first time since their thrilling 2024 National League Division Series matchup, and renewed the rivalry in their growing battle not just for Southern California supremacy – but for the top of the sport. Advertisement In the season-long heavyweight battle, Round 1 went to the Dodgers, taking two of three in San Diego. 'The atmosphere is great,' said Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto, in his first season with the club. 'It definitely felt different in this series. So, that's a good start to my career with this rivalry.' There's plenty of historical rivalries in MLB. There's the Red Sox-Yankees, Dodgers-Giants and Cardinals-Cubs to name a few. While bitterness will always be present in those big-time rivalries, it's fair to say none are generating more heat in 2025 than the Dodgers and Padres. San Diego was one win away from eliminating the Dodgers in last year's postseason before Los Angeles won two do-or-die games to advance en route to the World Series. Advertisement With a loaded roster of veterans and young stars, San Diego will take another shot at slaying the dragon, while the MVPs of Los Angeles try to quell a Padres club that has a legitimate shot to win its first World Series. Now, whenever these two teams are in opposite dugouts, the stadium is filled and the atmosphere feels like it's October – even if it's a Wednesday afternoon game in June. 'This being a playoff atmosphere – against this team – awesome series to be a part of,' said Dodgers pitcher Ben Casparius. Michael Conforto celebrates his home run with Shohei Ohtani. The series started very similar to what transpired in October 2024. The first game was a back-and-forth affair with 11 runs scored in the first three innings before the Dodgers won it at the end 8-7 – this time in extra innings. In game No. 2, the Padres blitzed Los Angeles and Dylan Cease mowed down the lineup for a 11-1 rout. Advertisement In the rubber-match, in front of a sold-out crowd of 45,481, the injury-plagued Dodgers pitching staff limited San Diego to four hits and Teoscar Hernandez woke up from his slump with a game-changing three-run home run to push the defending champions to a 5-2 victory. Before the series started, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tried to downplay its significance. But it's easy to see how badly each side wants the upper hand. Roberts said it was 'really important' to win the series opener, and find a way to at least split the last two games. And the Padres know how significant this first matchup was. Even though they have proved more than formidable, the series loss is a reminder they still are trying to prove they aren't the little brother to Los Angeles – especially after how last season ended. "This year, we're going out there to try and take them down,' said Padres third baseman Manny Machado. 'We've been trying to do it for a couple years now, and we are going to continue to try to do it until we reach our goal." NL West is the gauntlet of MLB While San Diego and Los Angeles are separated by the 124-mile stretch on the highway, go up to the Bay Area and and you'll find one team seeking to throw a wrench into the SoCal showdown: the San Francisco Giants. Advertisement Considered an enigma to begin the season, the Giants have found some of the magic that propelled their 107-win 2021 season. They entered Wednesday winners of six straight, and thanks to San Diego's loss, they sit in second place in the NL West, one game behind the Dodgers and one game ahead of the Padres. And you can't forget the Arizona Diamondbacks 6 ½ games behind. San Francisco will head to Los Angeles to face their longtime rival in a three-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium this weekend. After dueling the Giants for first place in the division, the Dodgers welcome these Padres for a four-game set. This comes in the middle of the Dodgers' 26 straight games against teams with winning records. 'It's the gauntlet,' Roberts said. While there's a bigger spotlight when San Diego and Los Angeles face off, you can't write off the Giants from causing havoc. Should San Francisco continue rolling, it could leave its NL West counterparts fighting for wild-card positioning instead of a division title. Advertisement But for now, the Dodgers and Padres remain among the favorites to contend for a World Series, and it makes for a blockbuster, star-studded affair in all 13 meetings this season. For as much as either side wants to win the regular season series, it historically doesn't mean much should they meet in October for the fourth time in six postseasons. In 2022, the Dodgers dominated the regular season meetings at 14-5, only for the team with the best record in baseball to lose the NLDS in four games. Last season, the Padres won the regular season series 8-5, the first time they've done so since 2010. The reward? Losing to the eventual World Series champions in the divisional series after jumping to a 2-1 series lead. 'It's fun playing these guys. I think they know they're talented, we know we're talented,' Roberts said. 'It's a fun series. It's a big series, but it's not the end all be all – certainly in June.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers vs Padres: MLB's hottest rivalry highlights NL West standings
