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The Chicago Cubs didn’t merely ink Michael Conforto to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp—they secured themselves some strategic flexibility.

As reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, this agreement is a non-roster invitation. Every detail counts. This isn’t a front office making any guarantees to Conforto. It’s a front office recognizing the potential for uncertainty.

Conforto, approaching his 33rd birthday next month, is a long way from the heights of his 2017 All-Star season with the Mets, during which he recorded a 128 wRC+ over his initial six years in the league.

Following that, shoulder surgery sidelined him for the entire 2022 season, and his return has been marked by inconsistency. The 2025 campaign with the Dodgers was a tough one for him: he posted a .199/.305/.333 slash line, an 83 wRC+, a noticeable drop in power with a .138 ISO, and a strikeout rate approaching 25 percent. He was left off the World Series roster entirely.

At first glance, this appears to be a promotional piece for a bat that’s losing its edge.

The Cubs’ interest reveals more about how they’ve built their roster than it does about Conforto’s previous performance.

The Cubs Are Safeguarding Against a Particular Nightmare Scenario

The starting outfield trio for Chicago—Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Pete Crow-Armstrong—showcases impressive talent. The issue lies beyond the top three. It’s the scenario that unfolds if one, or even worse, two of them hit the injured list.

Behind them lies a series of unanswered questions. Matt Shaw continues to develop his skills in the outfield. Kevin Alcantara has yet to establish himself on the field. Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick represent intriguing reclamation projects in their respective journeys. Justin Dean showcases more speed than power at the plate. Prospect Moises Ballesteros could potentially seize the designated hitter role, yet he has only accumulated 57 plate appearances in the majors.

The Cubs are brimming with talent yet are grappling with uncertainty.

That’s the perfect spot for Conforto.

He’s not in the lineup today. He’s here to bring some much-needed consistency. When faced with an injury, it’s far more prudent to rely on a seasoned veteran with All-Star credentials and a wealth of MLB experience, rather than hastily promoting a prospect or leaning on an underperforming bench player.

Is there an even deeper layer of intrigue? Conforto has been crushing left-handed pitching over the last two seasons—a notable shift from his previous profile. If that improvement persists even to some extent, he could provide Craig Counsell with a genuine lefty-on-lefty option coming off the bench. That becomes crucial in October, when every matchup tightens the stakes.

This Could Also Relate to Growth, Not Merely to Depth

There’s an overlooked perspective here that deserves more attention.

If Ballesteros secures the designated hitter position, as many anticipate, the Cubs will face a developmental bottleneck behind the plate, with Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya taking on catching duties. Conforto offers a protective layer. If Ballesteros encounters difficulties at the start or if the organization prefers him to gain more experience behind the plate in Triple-A, the Cubs will have the flexibility to avoid making tough choices.

It serves as a crucial outlet for tension.

There’s no doubt about it. The Cubs are playing with the confidence of a team that knows it can take the NL Central. That conviction carries a weight of accountability. Entering a season with a lack of depth at a crucial position is a risky gamble, relying solely on the hope that injuries won’t strike.

The Conforto signing reflects a strategic approach rather than a hasty move.

Is it possible for him to tap back into that 20-homer, high-OBP form he once showcased? Perhaps. It typically takes two full seasons for shoulder recoveries to see a complete return of power. His fundamental discipline metrics haven’t entirely collapsed. A modest uptick in hard-hit rate could transform him into a league-average hitter—and being league-average on a minor league contract is a win.

However, even if he fails to make a comeback, the Cubs only sacrifice a spot on their spring roster.

This goes beyond mere nostalgia for the player they contemplated selecting back in 2014. It revolves around the intricacies of roster calculations, the strategic safety nets for October, and safeguarding against fluctuations in a season where hopes are soaring.

The Cubs are not relying on Michael Conforto to revitalize their lineup.

They’re counting on the addition of another reliable choice to turn their season around.

Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia