5 free agent outfielders the Guardians should target

Cleveland Guardians v Detroit Tigers - Game One
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5. Michael Conforto - San Francisco Giants

There was once a time when Michael Conforto appeared to be on a trajectory of being a star-caliber player that would result in him being one of the highest-paid players in baseball. A down year in 2021, followed by missing all of 2022 after undergoing shoulder surgery, has resulted in things playing out a lot differently than expected.

Conforto's two seasons in San Francisco were fine but nothing particularly special. With 41 doubles and 35 home runs and a .238/.322/.418 slash line in 255 games, Conforto is not necessarily providing the type of production the Giants were hoping for when they signed him ahead of the 2023 season. It is not that he has been bad, because he hasn't been, it is just that more was expected from him than what he has been able to provide.

While it is unlikely that Conforto ever returns to being the type of player that he was in New York, he is still an everyday player and one that is capable of average to slightly above-average production at the plate. Being able to add someone with this description into Cleveland's outfield group would allow the other outfielders to be used correctly rather than be forced into roles that are a better fit for their skill set.

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