New York Mets: Michael Conforto has earned an extension

Michael Conforto has done more than enough to earn an extension from the New York Mets.

New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto has earned an extension. In fact, extending him should be the first task on new owner Steve Cohen’s to-do list. Conforto is having an MVP-caliber season and has become one of the team’s most important players.

Conforto, who is now 27 years old, was taken by the Mets with the 10th pick of the 2014 draft and he made his MLB debut the next year. Expectations were sky-high and although Conforto has been a very good player for the Mets throughout his career and was an All-Star in 2017, he hasn’t quite lived up to the hype.

At least, not until this season.

In 53 games this season, Conforto is slashing an incredible .328/.419/.525 with a .944 OPS, 161 OPS+, nine home runs, and 31 RBI. Conforto is second in the entire league in BABIP (.415), ninth in batting average, sixth in OBP, 13th in the league and seventh in the NL in wOBA (.408), and 11th in the league and fifth in the NL in wRC+ (162).

These are all very impressive accomplishments, and most are career-highs.

Many considered this season to be an important one for Conforto. This was the first time in his career that he went into the season knowing his job as the Mets’ everyday right fielder was secured and guaranteed. That’s an important factor to take into account when comparing his past performance to that of this year.

If Conforto continues to be so productive moving forward, the Mets become that much better of a team and his value to them skyrockets.

Coupled with the fact that the Mets don’t have much in terms of outfield depth, extending Conforto should be a no-brainer for Cohen.

Conforto is arbitration-eligible this year and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2022. The Mets simply cannot let him walk. If he knows he’s the team’s number one right fielder of the future, I truly believe he will continue to be one of the Mets’ best players.

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He’ll become a regular All-Star and will be instrumental in continuing to build a true playoff-caliber team. Both center and left field are a question mark, but Conforto in right should be something we see for many years to come.