The Houston Astros are showing interest in veteran outfielder Michael Conforto following his difficult 2025 campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Conforto, 32, who struggled to secure regular playing time and posted career-low numbers, remains unsigned as free agency progresses. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays are considering bolstering their bullpen by targeting Colorado Rockies reliever Seth Halvorsen.
Conforto’s Career Woes and Astros’ Opportunity
Michael Conforto’s recent season with the Dodgers was marked by underperformance, as he batted just .199 with 12 home runs over 138 games. His decline led to exclusion from the postseason roster, underscoring his diminished role on the championship team. Despite this, Conforto’s history as a former All-Star makes him a potential pickup for teams seeking left-handed hitting depth.
The Astros have reportedly reached out about Conforto as part of their off-season plans to reinforce their lineup, particularly after a trade for Isaac Paredes with the Boston Red Sox fell through. Houston aims to add a reliable left-handed outfielder at a low-risk cost, potentially signing Conforto on a minor league deal with a spring training invitation. This approach allows Houston to assess his fit without heavy financial commitment.
Blue Jays Search for Bullpen Depth with Halvorsen
Toronto’s bullpen continues to be a focus in their roster adjustments. Damon Sharbyani from Just Baseball highlighted three Rockies relief pitchers as potential targets, with Seth Halvorsen emerging as the most notable candidate. Halvorsen stands out due to his ability to consistently throw fast pitches, averaging 100 miles per hour on his four-seam fastball.
This fastball generated a high whiff rate of 27.2%, while batting contact against it saw a .302 average and an exit velocity of 90.7 miles per hour. Additionally, Halvorsen’s secondary pitches, including his splitter and slider, achieved whiff rates between 28% and 35%, showcasing his ability to induce swings and misses effectively.
Toronto’s bullpen situation features several uncertain players, such as two Rule 5 draftees and out-of-options Tommy Nance, while prospects like Brendon Little, Braydon Fisher, and Mason Fluharty are expected to contribute in the 2026 season. Adding a hard-throwing arm like Halvorsen’s may not dramatically turn around the bullpen but could improve Toronto’s pitching under more favorable conditions compared to Colorado’s pitching environment.
Implications and Next Steps for Both Teams
For the Astros, signing Conforto would provide roster flexibility and left-handed depth without significant financial risk, potentially aiding their quest to remain competitive in a tight division. Houston’s willingness to pursue a recovering veteran reflects an urgency to fill gaps after unsuccessful trade efforts.
Toronto’s potential acquisition of Seth Halvorsen signals a strategic move to strengthen bullpen depth through young talent with high-velocity pitching. While not a guaranteed solution, Halvorsen’s skill set may translate into valuable innings and contribute to the Blue Jays maintaining arm strength down the stretch.
The Houston Astros have reportedly showed interest in signing Michael Conforto, who still remains a free agent at the beginning of Spring Training.
Conforto is coming off a disappointing season with the Dodgers and is 32-years-old. pic.twitter.com/dUQx20cXcC
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) February 18, 2026
