Chicago Cubs Sign Former All-Star Outfielder

If this is the Chicago Cubs' way of replacing Kyle Tucker, they might be in for a rude awakening. While baseball's top free agent departed the Cubs outfield this offseason, they've now gone out and added arguably the sport's worst free agent in Michael Conforto.

Cubs, OF Michael Conforto reportedly agree to deal, per @MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/IPmeyVTMtN
— MLB (@MLB) February 23, 2026

It's a minor league deal for the 33-year-old, who'll be in camp as a non-roster invitee with an opportunity to compete for a spot on Chicago’s Opening Day roster.

Conforto was an All-Star with the New York Mets in 2019, but a troubling decline in recent years culminated in a .199 average last season with a .637 OPS for the LA Dodgers. That batting mark would have been dead last in the entire major leagues if he had enough plate appearances to qualify (his 486 PAs fell just short of the required 502).

He certainly won't be a starter in the Cubbies' outfield, as those spots are occupied by four-time Gold Glover Ian Happ in left field, breakout player and All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong in center and Seiya Suzuki in right.

With Tucker in right field a majority of the time in 2025, Suzuki played over 100 games as a DH, which kept him healthy for a full season for the first time. Conforto, if he wins a spot with the team, could potentially spell the Japanese slugger in right on occasion to try to keep him fresh.

However, first Conforto will have to beat out other non-roster candidates Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick, as well as former third baseman Matt Shaw. He's working out in the outfield this spring after free agent Alex Bregman was brought in to take over the hot corner.

For his career, Conforto has three 25+ home run seasons on his resume, but none of them have come in the current decade. 2019 was his last big year with the NY Mets, though he did poke 20 dingers in 2024 with the San Francisco Giants, while hitting .237.