Former Mets Outfielder Signs With Cubs

Michael Conforto, who spent the first seven years of his career with the New York Mets, has landed with the Chicago Cubs for the 2026 season.

Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto (23) reacts after scoring a run during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

While the New York Mets do have a competition for their right field job right now, they won't be turning to old friend Michael Conforto to help. Conforto, who spent the first seven years of his career with the Mets, is signing with the Chicago Cubs, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Breaking: Michael Conforto to Cubs

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 23, 2026

ESPN's Jesse Rogers reports that Conforto's deal with the Cubs is a minor league one, which makes sense since he did not have a team with spring training underway. Chicago has added a few veteran outfielders to its roster to help fill the hole left by Kyle Tucker's departure for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Conforto joining Chas McCormick and Dylan Carlson in camp.

Michael Conforto is signing a minor league deal with the Cubs, as @JonHeyman mentioned. Cubs have veterans McCormick,Carlson and Conforto in camp.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 23, 2026

2025 was a disaster for Conforto, who signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers and was completely unproductive, batting .199 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI in 418 at-bats. The Dodgers left Conforto off of their postseason roster, so he was not a factor in their World Series championship even though he will collect a ring for being a part of the organization throughout the season.

Michael Conforto solo homer and the Dodgers extend their lead 3-1!

📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/TgIxmIEmc5

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 5, 2025

Why A Michael Conforto Reunion Didn't Make Sense For The Mets

Past regimes in the Mets' front office have shown a value for sentimentality, bringing back former stars that are past their primes to score points with the fanbase. The David Stearns-led front office has shown that sentimentality is not a driving factor in its decisions, especially in this offseason where the Mets moved on from long-time fan favorites like Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz and Jeff McNeil.

Nimmo, who played with Conforto for years, was told by Stearns when he was traded to Texas that the Mets wanted to open playing time for their younger outfielders. Top prospect Carson Benge appears to be the favorite to win the competition for the right field job in camp.

Read More: Why the Mets' Right Field Battle Isn't as Open as it Looks

The Mets could have considered giving Conforto a minor league deal to compete for a backup role, but Stearns made baseball decisions that indicate he believes MJ Melendez and Mike Tauchman would offer more value to the 2026 roster than Conforto would. Both players recently signed contracts with the Mets, with Tauchman getting a minor league deal while Melendez is on a split contract that pays him more if he makes the active roster.

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