Mets fans holding out hope for a Michael Conforto return

There aren’t too many big free agents left on the market. One of them happens to be our dear old friend, Michael Conforto. The longtime New York Mets outfielder has yet to sign a deal. Knowing that he apparently turned down a $100 million extension offer last spring, it’s beginning to look like a mistake.

Conforto didn’t play well in 2021 and that’s the big reason why he’s still out there. His contract demands probably haven’t changed all that much. The Philadelphia Phillies, for instance, are paying the weak-fielding Nick Castellanos $100 million over the next five years. Conforto would have made a lot more sense for them. The only conclusion I can come to is that he’s asking for more.

If you’ve spent any time near Mets fans on social media, you’ll know they haven’t given up hope on Conforto coming back. With Carlos Correa settling on a shorter deal with the Minnesota Twins, maybe Conforto would do the same with the Mets.

Why Mets fans want Michael Conforto back for more than sentimentality

Starling Marte is dealing with an oblique injury and fans are beginning to question if Mark Canha matches up to some of the other additions their National League foes have on their roster. The Phillies added Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber to their rosters. The Atlanta Braves reunited with Eddie Rosario and while they let Freddie Freeman go, they pulled off a trade for Matt Olson.

The trouble with the Mets may be that they did a lot of their big moves before the lockout. “What have you done for me lately?” may be setting in for some fans. If the club signed Marte, Canha, and Eduardo Escobar over the last week, maybe the grimness wouldn’t have appeared.

Instead, because we had months to digest it all and the Mets have been less active than most clubs over the last week, there may be a little bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) happening.

This isn’t exactly the psychology of what is going on. When discussing Conforto, there’s a whole lot of nostalgia there. He was equally as beloved and criticized by fans during his time with the club. Some even managed to do both along the way.

The longer Conforto remains unsigned, the more Mets fans seem to believe he could come back. There’s definitely a chance for it. However, we have been surprised by other moves this offseason from some organizations.

The Colorado Rockies were the ones to win the Kris Bryant bidding war. They’re paying him a lot more money than what Conforto likely seeks. Could they, a former rumored suitor of his, step in and add his bat to their lineup? It would be a perfect scenario for him to rebuild his reputation for a season or two. Maybe he even stays longer.

Rumors about Conforto’s future have been relatively mum in recent days. Outside of a major injury on a team that can afford him, options are running out. Will he be back with the Mets? Spring training games have already begun around the league. We should know soon.