If the MLB lockout finally comes to an end, free agency would be opened and roster freezes would end almost immediately.
If and when it does, expect a flurry of moves as teams would be rapidly preparing for an immediate and shortened spring training.
One of the players on the move would likely be Michael Conforto, who reportedly received interest from the Yankees before the lockout, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said publicly that the team would like to look into addressing center field heading into the 2022 season, even with the oft-injured Aaron Hicks under a seven-year contract extension. Conforto, who struggled in 2021, would bring another lefty bat to the Yankees’ righty-heavy lineup, though that bat didn’t show much pop last season after hitting just 14 home runs, his lowest in a full season since 2016.
Conforto battled injury but still logged 125 games in 2021, batting .232 with a .729 OPS, both also his lowest marks since 2016. The 2017 All-Star hit .322 with a .927 OPS in the shortened 2020 season, and hit a career-high 33 home runs in 2019.
Conforto declined a qualifying offer from the Mets shortly after the 2021 season.
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