Potential Trade Target: Michael Conforto

Just like any Jays fan, I can't wait for our saviour to come up, Vlad Jr. The once in a generation player who is gonna win us a world series, right? Well, it's not that easy. The Jays future looks bright, but some help could be very significant, especially like this.

Currently, the Blue Jays are weak in the outfield. Pillar, Hernandez, Grichuk, McKinney, and Alford lead the pack. Not bad, but could use some improvement. Pillar is already 30, and the rest of the outfield isn't supposed to be much better then just above average. So, maybe time to make a move, especially when you have a shot at a low risk potential future star.

The player that I am talking about is New York Mets Center Fielder Michael Conforto. This is a player that I am very fond of, and who I think can really take the team to the next level. Conforto is a former first round pick, and is only 25 years old. He is a strong hitter who flashes lots of potential. He has been among the best hitters in the Mets line up the past couple years. In 2017 Conforto made his first all-star appearance, and ended the year with a .279 average with 27 home runs, and 68 RBI in only 373 at bats. In 2018, the average sunk, but he still hit 28 home runs and 82 RBI. He is a big bat who can be a major factor down the road. He could be a critical player in the future for the Jays. Plus, he is a left handed hitter, which would be ideal considering our big name prospects are mostly right handed.

Now, why would the Mets want to part ways with Conforto? After all, they have made significant strides this offseason, and look to be a playoff team this season. Well, they'll be starting the season with Conforto, Lagares, Nimmo, Broxton, and Cespedes on their roster. That is 5 starting caliber outfielders. Plus, to show off their depth, Dominic Smith and newly acquired JD Davis are also capable of playing the outfield. They really don't need that many outfielders. The only thing is that Conforto might just be the best of them. So, why would the trade him? Well, we have something that they don't, and need really badly.

Currently, the starting first baseman for the Mets is Dominic Smith, a 23 year old prospect who hit for a .223 average last year, with only 5 home runs. The Blue Jays have Justin Smoak, who hit almost .250 (down year) with 30 home runs, 77 RBI, and is known for his glove at first base. Plus, he is just one year removed from starting for the all-star team. This is a trade that the Mets really need to make. A swap like this would be critical to put the team in contention. Of course, Conforto does hold more value then Smoak, so it would take more to get it done, but it would be well worth it.

What makes this worth it for the Jays? Well, first of all, the upside on Conforto is huge. Personally, I think he has the skill set and potential to be a perennial all-star. He is a very underrated offensive player. His stat sheet looks really, really good. Plus, considering the Jays only have Hernandez (defensive liability), Grichuk, and McKinney, their outfield doesn't look very strong. Conforto would be a great addition to help in the present, and the future. Plus, if our outfield does become over crowded, we could always trade someone away for pitching, which would be a huge help.

The other big plus about this would be that a Smoak trade would open up first base for the 2018 rookie sensation Rowdy Tellez, who impressed many during his September debut. This trade would be a smart trade for many reasons. Sure, it would be sad to see Smoak go, but I think people will be perfectly ok with this after having Conforto for a couple seasons.

So, what would this deal take to make it work? First, we'll touch on the Jays. Obviously, they'd want Conforto. The Mets still have many great players the Jays would be interested in. The other main player I would want to throw in this deal is infielder TJ Rivera. Rivera is another highly underrated player. Last year he hit for a .290 average with 5 home runs in 214 at bats. With a 600 at bat season, Rivera would average out at around 15 home runs. A .290 average with 15 home runs is a very good starting second baseman. These stats would actually be similar to, if not better then Yankees newest 2B DJ LeMahieu, who just signed a 2 year $24 million dollar contract. Rivera hasn't yet completed 2 seasons at the major league level, so he is only making around $500k per year right now. He would be a solid replacement for the inconsistent and frequently injured Devon Travis, and could potentially be a future leadoff man if he could prove his consistency.

In the future, imagine a lineup like this. Leadoff Rivera, hitting approximately .300 with 15 home runs. Second is Bo Bichette, with similar stats. Third would be Vlad, who could even be as good as to hit .320 with 30+ home runs. Fourth is Conforto, who will likely hit .280 with 30 home runs. Plus, maybe add a free agent bat to that, and add in the potential in Danny Jansen and Rowdy Tellez, and the Jays might again have one of the best lineups in baseball just a couple years down the road. This would be an incredible team, so it's a trade the Blue Jays should really look into. Now, what would they have to give up?

Obviously, the Jays would move Smoak to the Mets in this. However, Conforto and Rivera are much more valuable then Smoak. The Mets mostly need pitching, and being that their team is getting older, they could potentially use a younger player. The players I had in mind were Ken Giles, as well as Brandon Drury. This seems like a big load, but when you look to the future of the Jays, you realize that really, it is worth it. Giles might be a great player, but he is already 29. By time the Jays are contenders, will he really still be useful? Maybe a year or two left. The main thing to Giles play style is his velocity, which in the aging process is usually the first think to go. Being that he is pretty valuable, especially to the Mets, and that he won't really be of good use to us, he could be a very valuable trade piece.

I feel that people will feel strongly about giving up the 26 year old Drury. After all, he is valuable because he is a fairly young player, a utility guy, as well as a relatively strong bat. However, I believe that he won't develop into anything more then an average player. He is average with power, and with contact. There really isn't anything special there. Rivera would be of better value to us then Drury. A leadoff man is more important going into the future. The other key thing is that he just doesn't fit. Possibly as soon as the end of 2019, the Jays infield will be Guerrero Jr., Bichette, and Gurriel Jr. Travis likely comes off the bench, and Drury won't fit in the plans anymore.

Anyways, right now my deal looks like this:

Mets receive:

- Justin Smoak

- Ken Giles

- Brandon Drury

- PTBNL

- Cash considerations

Jays receive:

- Michael Conforto

- TJ Rivera

Ultimately, I think this trade would help trigger a future lineup which could be one of the best in baseball. With a move like this to spark the team, I think the Blue Jays would actually end up pursuing Bryce Harper more aggressively. This was the actual line up I had in mind for the future: Rivera, Bichette, Harper, Vladdy, Conforto, Jansen, Gurriel... That would be a lineup that is incredibly hard to beat. It would be worth the risk all the way. Even if Harper didn't come to Toronto, I think Conforto would be a big piece for us in the future, especially being as underrated as he is. Plus, this is Smoak's final contract year. Why not get something in return for him well we can?

All in all, I think it's a smart move for both teams. Mets get a star first baseman to replace Dominic Smith, a great bullpen arm, and a young utility infielder. Jays get their right fielder of the future to combine with Vlad and Bichette, as well as a potential leadoff man. It is something worth testing. It is not a high risk trade, but there seems to be a fair share of reward. I would personally be thrilled to see this trade actually happen.