Former SF Giants outfielder's run with division rivals could be nearing an end

The end of August is still typically a time for a lot of roster moves. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), this could spell the end of former SF Giants outfielder Michael Conforto's run with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Former SF Giants outfielder's run with division rivals could be nearing an end

The August trade deadline is no more, which is a shame. You would see players in uniforms that you would not normally associate them with. It was fun, but the impact was usually limited.

Do you remember when Marlon Byrd joined the Giants in the final month of 2015? I bet you forgot that Brad Penny had two stints with San Francisco. The first came in 2009, and he was electric down the stretch.

Those moves are no longer in effect, but teams often place players on waivers this late in the year for a couple of reasons. One is to allow certain players to latch on with a playoff contender. The other reason is the hope that another team will take on the remainder of a player's salary.

Michael Conforto does not fit neatly into either category. As Ken Rosenthal writes, the returns of some injured players, including Max Muncy and Tommy Edman, could push the underperforming Conforto off the roster.

The Dodgers originally signed the veteran outfielder to a one-year, $17 million pact in the offseason. This came on the heels of a two-year run with the Giants where he was more fine than good.

The left-handed bat posted a .740 OPS with a 9.9 percent walk rate, 23.4 percent strikeout rate, and .180 ISO in a Giants uniform. These are solid numbers, but a sharp drop from when Conforto was an All-Star earlier in his career.

Undoubtedly, Conforto's agent, Scott Boras, conveyed to prospective teams during the offseason that a move away from Oracle Park would yield better results. That has not been the case at all, as he has struggled to a .183/.293/.314 (75 wRC+) line with nine home runs, 28 RBI, and 43 runs in 400 plate appearances.

That type of production would normally weigh a lineup down, but the Dodgers' lineup features Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith. They are doing just fine despite Conforto's struggles at the plate.

Oddly enough, The veteran bat saved some of his best games for the Giants this year. He tallied five hits, including one double and one home run, with three RBI in 15 at-bats.

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