We’re less than two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. That’s fantastic news for the baseball world. But for one particular New York Mets outfielder, it brings forth an unanswered question. “When is this team going to extend my contract?” That’s an excellent question Michael Conforto. Personally, my answer is “yesterday.”

While the Mets are out flirting with free agents like Trevor Bauer, and previously floating trades for Arenado, the front office in Flushing has failed to talk with Conforto about the future. That’s not great, and it’s a bit worrisome.

Coming onto the big league scene in 2015, Conforto added a youthful burst of offense at the plate for the National League Champions. And when the Mets were in a pivotal game four against the Royals, it was Conforto’s two home runs that attempted to close the game and get his team back in the series.

We as Mets fans wax poetic about our rotation and how they came to Queens formed from the same iron forge. We forget that Noah Syndergaard and Conforto debuted in the same season, and just one year prior to deGrom’s Rookie of the Year season in 2014. Conforto’s been there the whole time.

And frankly, I’d argue that he deserves the same kind of treatment as Jacob deGrom, who got his extension ahead of the 2019 season.

And yet, the Mets are dragging their feet and courting other expensive contracts. Let’s take care of our own affairs and get our own house in order before bringing on new expenses, shall we?

While signing Trevor Bauer would be a great addition to the rotation, I’m still not sold on the fact that a Conforto extension isn’t worth the same impact. Bauer would be a luxury in the rotation, but he comes with more baggage and a more expensive contract than any player the Mets have signed in quite a long time.

Trevor Bauer isn’t worth it. Michael Conforto is. The Mets have long stood by their homegrown talents like Juan Lagares, Wilmer Flores, deGrom, and even the Captain, David Wright. Michael Conforto is a big part of this franchise and the Mets should lock him up before bringing in any new contracts.

Besides that, the rotation as it stands right now is solid and there’s depth. Adding Bauer on an Ace’s salary, to be a middle of the rotation starter is a Brodie deal. I’m not about that life anymore. Not in 2021.

Back to Conforto

Michael Conforto, in his rookie season, attempted to pull this team back into the World Series. And he is the only position player still remaining on the roster from that team. There was a point where Michael Conforto was hailed as the future of this club. That time was 2015 and 2016 and 2017 and 2018 and 2019 and 2020.

And yesterday, which is when they should have offered him an extension.

Give Conforto his contract. The guy has done more than enough to earn the money, to earn the trust, and to earn the respect. Failure to do so is an insult to a guy who has fought hard for this team every single time he’s put on the Orange and Blue. What more does he have to do?